MINNEAPOLIS – The Green Bay Packers showed why they’ve been the kings of the NFC North since 2011.
With a fifth straight division title slipping through their fingers after three straight losses, the Packers reminded the Minnesota Vikings – and everyone else – that this is their division to win again.
In a pick-'em game at TCF Bank Stadium, the Packers got themselves back into a tie for first place with the Vikings thanks with Sunday’s 30-13 win. Both teams are 7-3 with six games to go. But unlike the Vikings, the Packers are back in control of the division. They have the tiebreaker over the Vikings and can sweep the season series with a Week 17 win at Lambeau Field.
What was so different about Sunday’s game than their past three? The Packers’ pass rush returned (they recorded six sacks). Eddie Lacy looked like the running back who had back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons and not the one who had just 308 yards coming into Sunday. And James Jones showed he’s still got some magic left in him.
What it means: Perhaps now, the questions about what’s wrong with the Packers that have been bombarded them in recent weeks will go away, and it will make the quick turnaround for Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bears a little easier to deal with, at least from a psychological standpoint.
One reason to be optimistic: Lacy appeared to be back on form. After losing his starting job to James Starks and missing one game because of a groin injury, Lacy regained the title as the team's No. 1 running back. His 27-yard run in the second quarter was his longest since the NFC divisional playoff game last season against the Dallas Cowboys. Lacy recorded his first 100-yard game of the season with exactly 100 yards on 22 carries.
One reason to panic: Dom Capers’ defense continued to struggle in coverage against tight ends. Kyle Rudolph beat defensive back Micah Hyde for a 47-yard touchdown in the first quarter. In the third quarter, Rudolph beat safety Morgan Burnett for a 33-yard gain on a seam route to set up Adrian Peterson’s 6-yard touchdown run. Rudolph gained more than 100 yards receiving. That’s a bad sign, considering the Packers will have to deal with Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett this week.
Fantasy watch: Jones had not caught more than two passes in a game since Week 4, and had not caught a touchdown since Week 6. He changed both of those on Sunday with six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Ouch: The Packers lost starting center Corey Linsley (ankle) and Hyde (hip) in the first half. Neither returned to the game.
Janis time: Without Hyde or inactive receivers Jared Abbrederis (ribs) and Ty Montgomery (ankle), the Packers used Jeff Janis on kickoff returns and Randall Cobb on punt returns. Janis had a 70-yard kickoff return in the first quarter to set up a field goal and then drew a 50-yard pass interference call against Vikings cornerback Terence Newman in the second quarter to set up a touchdown.
What’s next: The Packers have their shortest turnaround of the season with Thursday’s Thanksgiving night game against the Bears. Brett Favre’s retired No. 4 will be unveiled on the Lambeau Field façade during a halftime ceremony. It's the first of consecutive Thursday games.