Part II of the Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings matchup kicked off at Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon, and it was…something. When these two teams met to open the season back in September, the Vikings embarrassed the Packers, scoring 22 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to win by 17. This time, the Packers embarrassed themselves and left with a 6-4 record after a 30-1o loss. There were no winners this week. Let’s look at the worst of the worst.
Loser: Matthew Golden
I don’t know how many drops WR Matthew Golden
will be officially credited with, but my own eyeballs saw at least 3. On 2nd and 6, Golden had a bad drop which would’ve been a huge first down had he been able to hold on. On the very next play, they almost picked up the first down again, but he was unable to maintain possession before the ball hit the ground. Against a suffocating Vikings defense, the Packers have to take advantage of every moment QB Jordan Love is able to actually get the ball out, and today, they failed miserably. Golden is having a pretty stellar breakout year so far, and it’s frustrating to know it’d be even better if he could stop being his own worst enemy. He finished the game with a team-high 5 catches on 9 targets for 70 yards.
Loser: Tucker Kraft
TE Tucker Kraft’s disappointing year got even worse on Sunday. He had no energy and looked like he didn’t want to be out on the field. The Packers tried to get him involved, with Love targeting him 4 times, but he only came down with 1 catch for 19 yards. I’m not sure if he’s in his own head, or just not feeling 100% after last year’s torn ACL, but he is not the same TE with the killer mentality we’re used to seeing. A small bright side: this fun play where he went under center and pitched the ball to Jordan Love.
Loser: Trey Smack
The Packers drafted you to make 53-yard FGs. Try doing that sometime.
Loser: Mark Redman
Tucker Kraft is having a down year. I think he can get back to his normal self, but in the meantime, we must deal with TE Mark Redman. After fumbling the first Packers pass of the day, I think I’d like to stop dealing with Mark Redman.
Loser: The Offensive Line
OH MY GOODNESS I’M TIRED. Every time I saw a player creeping up on Jordan Love, I screamed. Collapse after collapse after collapse, and the offensive line gave up 8 sacks when it was all said and done. John Williams in particular had an atrocious game at center, botching multiple snaps. One of these botched snaps came on their opening drive of the second half, and the ball was recovered by the Vikings. The Packers knew this was coming. HC Matt LaFleur, OC Adam Stenavich, and OL coach Luke Butkus KNEW this was coming. They had 9 weeks to prepare, and then they put out an offensive line that marched onto the field and pooped everywhere. What is Jordan Love supposed to do when there’s poop everywhere?
The Packers have finally reached their bye week, which isn’t really a bye week, because they play the Los Angeles Rams next Wednesday, November 25th. At 6-4, they are still very much in the race for the NFC North, as well as a Wild Card spot. Will we see the return of Micah Parsons in LA? Will the receivers’ hands start working? Will the offensive line…exist? Tune in on Netflix at 8pm ET/7pm CT on Thanksgiving Eve to find out.
