Three takeaways from Vikings' win over Packers

Ron Clements

Three takeaways from Vikings' win over Packers image

The Vikings could be home the next three weeks, or longer. 

The NFC North champions rolled to a 16-0 win over the Packers Saturday at Lambeau Field. The Vikings (12-3) will clinch a first-round bye with one more victory or a loss by the Panthers (10-4) to either the Buccaneers Sunday or the Falcons next week. 

Minnesota will close the regular season New Year's Eve at U.S. Bank Stadium against the visiting Bears and could then have a bye before hosting an NFC divisional playoff game. 

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The Packers (7-8), meanwhile, are in danger of having their first losing season since 2008 and just their third losing season since going 4-12 in 1991. 

Three takeaways from the Vikings' win over the Packers

1. The Vikings might make history — Minnesota could become the first team in NFL history to play in the Super Bowl in their home stadium. The Vikings are just an Eagles loss away from gaining homefield throughout the postseason. While Green Bay's season was lost once Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone, the Vikings have flourished since losing Week 1 starter Sam Bradford.

Keenum, who was 14 of 25 for 139 yards Saturday, has been impressive all season with 3,358 yards and 21 touchdown passes to just seven interceptions. His first-quarter touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs Saturday was a perfectly placed ball in the back of the end zone.

Keenum has played great, but the Vikings are a threat to win the Super Bowl because of their stellar defense. The Vikings held the Packers to just 239 yards of offense Saturday and recorded their first shutout since 1993. While Green Bay's defense turned in a valiant effort Saturday, Minnesota has a championship-level defense that could lead the franchise to its first-ever Super Bowl championship. 

2. Short-handed Packers never had a chance — The Packers were already without several starters and then saw right tackle Jason Spriggs carted off the field after the first play from scrimmage with a knee injury. Spriggs, who missed most of the season with a hamstring injury, was replaced by Justin McCray. Not including Rodgers, who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week after a one-game return from his broken collarbone, Spriggs was the sixth Packers starter who did not play Saturday. Spriggs was only playing right tackle because of a season-ending ACL injury to starter Bryan Bulaga. Rodgers and Bulaga are two of 12 Packers players on injured reserve. 

Linebackers Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, cornerback Damarious Randall, guard Jahri Evans and receiver Davante Adams were all inactive against the Vikings. In addition to Spriggs, the Packers also lost tight end Richard Rodgers (shoulder), running back Aaron Jones (knee) and receiver Jordy Nelson (shoulder) Saturday. 

3. Mike McCarthy's play calling didn't challenge Vikings defense — Even when the Packers won the Super Bowl in 2010, McCarthy's play calling often frustrated Green Bay fans. Criticized for being too conservative, McCarthy retreated into an uber-conservative shell Saturday. 

Playing against the NFC's best defense on a slick, frozen field, McCarthy didn't allow his players to challenge the Vikings. Because the Packers were playing with a makeshift offensive line, McCarthy called a variety of short passes to get the ball out of Brett Hundley's hands quickly. Trying to nickel-and-dime the Vikings speedy defense didn't work as the Packers were just 4 of 15 on third downs as Hundley consistently threw short of the yard to gain.

Hundley, who was the victim of several drops, finished 17 of 40 for only 130 yards and two interceptions and did scramble for 48 rushing yards. Harrison Smith's first interception of Hundley squelched a Packers scoring opportunity just before halftime.

While Hundley struggled, the Packers had only 19 called run plays in what was just a two-score game through three quarters. McCarthy has been spoiled with Rodgers, who has covered up many of McCarthy's deficiencies as a play caller. Without Rodgers to create plays out of nothing, those shortcomings are painfully obvious as the Packers were shut out for the second time in a season for the first time since 2006 — McCarthy's first season as the team's head coach. 

 
 

Ron Clements