Big Game This Week

The Packers are in 1st place in the North Division holding a 1 game lead over both the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions and a 3 game lead over da Bears.

The Packers have won 3 in a row while the Lions are coming off a 27-24 loss to the Panthers while the Vikings beat the Bears last week, 20-17. The Packers are on the road this week against the Vikings while the Lions are at the Saints (2-2) and the Bears are at the Ravens (3-2).

Left tackle David Bakhtiari will miss his fourth straight game with a hamstring injury he suffered celebrating the opening season victory over the Seahawks. That means left guard Lane Taylor will make his third straight start at left tackle, which also means right guard Justin McCray, a career journeyman, will make his third straight start at left guard meaning two positions are weakened, instead of just one if General Manager Ted “I Won’t Ever Retire” Thompson had brought in a veteran tackle.

Also missing the game is rookie cornerback Kevin King with a concussion, edge rusher Ahmad Brooks with a back injury, inside linebacker Joe Thomas with an ankle and safety Morgan Burnett with a hamstring. Burnett was injured last week. When it rains it pours.

Right cornerback Davon House is questionable with a quad injury (he has been a waste of money being injured most of the season after being re-signed after he was cut by the Bucs after 2 years of a 4 year, $24,500,000 free agent contract).

Wide receiver Jordy Nelson sat out the final drive last week with a mysterious injury that turned out to be a back injury. He will start as will outside linebacker Nick Perry, who is still wearing a club on his broken hand. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga still has a high ankle sprain, but made it through the Cowboys game and will start again this week.

For the Vikings 3 starters are out, quarterback Sam Bradford (knee), their best wide receiver Stefon Diggs (groin) and left guard Nick Easton (calf).

The Packers are a 3-point favorite, which is good, but it should be more considering the Vikings barely beat the Bears and have lost to the Lions, 14-7, the week before and the Steelers in Week 2, 26-9.

So with career backup Case Keenum starting at quarterback you would think the pundits would favor the Packers by more, but the spread is more about how bad the Packers defense is.

I agree with the pundits as far as the Packers defense, which has an annoying habit of making All-Pros out of backup quarterbacks. The Vikings offense (No. 9) verses the Packers defense (No. 11) is the key to the game today.

On the flip side the Vikings defense (No. 7) verses the Packers offense (No. 16) should be an interesting battle, especially with a guard playing left tackle and a starting running back with broken ribs.

Taylor will be facing defensive end Everson Griffen, who is tied for 4th in the league with 6 sacks. Last week the Packers held tight ends Marty Bennett and Lance Kendricks in to help with pass protection and will again this week.

It has been announced that Ty Montgomery will be active and split rushes with the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Week Aaron Jones. WHY? What the **** does the kid have to do to get the start and total carries this week considering Montgomery is only 18 days away from breaking 5 ribs? 18 days! He will have to wear a flak jacket to just take a hit. Jordy Nelson came back quick from broken ribs last year, but he isn’t getting hit on every play. This is madness.

Considering the kid did a great job last week why rush Montgomery back? The Packers bye week is only a week away and the kid did well. I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND THE REASONING HERE.

Who is Picking Who?

IronRank picks the Vikings. The big matchups in the Vikings favor is their “average” passing offense led by Case Keenum, get that Case Keenum, verses the Packers “poor” passing defense; the Vikings “average” scoring ability verses the Packers “below average” TD defense; and the Vikings “good” pass rush verses the Packers “average” offensive line. The Packers weren’t given an advantage in any category.

Picking the Packers are the Sporting News (34-21); ESPN (27-20 and 30-27), USA TODAY (27-24, 21-20, 28-24, 21-20, 28-21); Bleacher Report (31-28); Elliott Harrison of NFL.com (20-17).

Finally on NFL Pick Watch out of 101 pickers the Packers were picked 94 times.

I want you to look at one thing about the predictions, despite 93 percent of the talking heads pick the Packers, the scores for the Vikings led by Case Keenum. This is an indictment against Dom Capers if he can’t keep Case Keenum from scoring.

With Montgomery starting or at least splitting carries with the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Week, left tackle being a worry against Griffen and the Packers defense having trouble on a fast field (turf), especially with Burnett and King out there is a chance for an upset.