Can the Vikings' defense slam the door on the Packers in NFC North?
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was reminded early on in training camp that a team called the Green Bay Packers has pretty much ruled the NFC North since it was created in 2002.
There have been 15 NFC North titles awarded. The Packers have won nine of them. Yes, it does help to have a Favre followed by a Rodgers.
Since 2010, Green Bay has won five of six North titles. The only break came in 2015, when Zimmer and his ornery, third-ranked scoring defense went into Lambeau Field and won 20-13 in the winner-take-all season finale.
But back in late July, a reporter in Mankato wanted Zimmer to explain to the fans what he has done to convince them he is trying to keep the Packers from always winning the doggone division.
“Well,” Zimmer said, “I think we’re continuing to get better players.”
Then, the defensive-minded coach reminded the reporter that he has a decent track on that side of the ball. “I think we’ve probably been the best defense in this division for at least three years now,” Zimmer said. “So I think that’s a good start.”
http://www.startribune.com/can-the-vikings-defense-slam-the-door-on-the-packers-in-nfc-north/442945153/
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Yeah, but didn’t the Vikings taper off defensively during their 3-8 slide last season?
Zimmer was asked that exact question toward the end of training camp. He didn’t care for the wording.
“We had two bad games,” he said. “I don’t know about ‘tapered off.’ ”
The two bad games came in Weeks 15-16 when the defense gave up 72 points in back-to-back losses to the Colts at home (34-6) and the Packers in Green Bay (38-25).
The Lions, meanwhile, set the NFL record for highest completion percentage allowed (72.7).
The Packers allowed Matt Ryan to complete 71.1 percent of his passes for 392 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 139.4 passer rating in Atlanta’s 44-21 NFC title game stroll.
And the Bears were, well, the Bears. They ranked last in the division in points allowed (24.9) while winning three games.
There are reinforcements on the way around the division. Notable new starters to watch are Jarrad Davis, Detroit’s first-round pick at a middle linebacker; Kevin King, Green Bay’s second-round pick at cornerback; and head-turning free safety Eddie Jackson, a fourth-rounder and the only defender the Bears drafted this year.
The Vikings still have the best talent defensively and, as Zimmer points out, “Now, we’ve just got to improve offensively.”
That, of course, is another matter entirely. But, defensively, the Vikings again have what it takes to unseat the Packers for the second time in three years.
@"PSBLAKE" said: man I hate the PackersThis generation of Vikings fan hasn't had it easy. Should have been a fan in the 70's/80's when Pack were bad or pedestrian for a long, long time.
TT has had it pretty good going from Favre to Rogers.
Not to rub too much salt in the wound, but Rogers is only 33? I think he can go another 5-7 on top of his 8. Thats 13 years from him after 17 years from Favre. That's 30 years of HOF QB'ing and I think Rogers is even better than Favre was. Maybe not as like-able, but better on the field.
Unheard of.
Agree with purple faithful...there was a time when I was GLAD to see the pathetic Packers....you could seriously pen in the W.
Favre and Rodgers..ugh
Y'all better hope it's Bradford, Prescott, Russel Wilson, Matty Ice or Manning QB'ing for the NFC in the SB - and not Rogers in The Vikings Stadium.
Minnesota's lack of ability to run the football just killed the defense....they wore out as the year went on playing so many minutes.
The way I see it, the defense needs to be "itself" consistently, while the offense needs to live up to the potential of its players.
Bradford, Thielen, Diggs, Rudolph, etc, all NEED to prove that they're worthy of consideration as playoff contenders. I'm actually pretty optimistic about this, but it'll come down to our ability to put up points far better than the "ball control" offenses we've fielded for most of the last decade.
@"purplefaithful" said:@"PSBLAKE" said: man I hate the Packers This generation of Vikings fan hasn't had it easy. Should have been a fan in the 70's/80's when Pack were bad or pedestrian for a long, long time.TT has had it pretty good going from Favre to Rogers.
Not to rub too much salt in the wound, but Rogers is only 33? I think he can go another 5-7 on top of his 8. Thats 13 years from him after 17 years from Favre. That's 30 years of HOF QB'ing and I think Rogers is even better than Favre was. Maybe not as like-able, but better on the field.
Unheard of.
And only 2 championships with 30 year of elite QB play.
@"purplefaithful" said:I was a fan in the 70's remember the last three superbowls. That is one of the reasons I cant stand the packers or the fans. First off the fans act like the packers have been this ever present dynasty that exists because they are the best fans on the planet. And forget how awful the packers were before Favre. having two franchise QB's in a row is the reason they have been dominant in this division and that is the only reason. I never had the animosity toward Favre he was just a guy who loved the game. Rodgers on the other hand is an arrogant jerk. A top 3 QB but an arrogant jerk as well.@"PSBLAKE" said: man I hate the Packers This generation of Vikings fan hasn't had it easy. Should have been a fan in the 70's/80's when Pack were bad or pedestrian for a long, long time.TT has had it pretty good going from Favre to Rogers.
Not to rub too much salt in the wound, but Rogers is only 33? I think he can go another 5-7 on top of his 8. Thats 13 years from him after 17 years from Favre. That's 30 years of HOF QB'ing and I think Rogers is even better than Favre was. Maybe not as like-able, but better on the field.
Unheard of.
@"purplefaithful" said:@"PSBLAKE" said: man I hate the PackersNot to rub too much salt in the wound, but Rogers is only 33? I think he can go another 5-7 on top of his 8. Thats 13 years from him after 17 years from Favre. That's 30 years of HOF QB'ing and I think Rogers is even better than Favre was. Maybe not as like-able, but better on the field.
Unheard of.
This might be wishful thinking, but I don't think Rodgers will play until he is 40 or even 38. He loves the game far less than Favre or Brady and I think he'll quit by 35...especially if we can make their next two seasons a little disappointing.
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