Game thoughts Pack/Vikings

• Tremendously satisfying victory.
• Thanks to Schaef and son for watching the game with us – lots of fun.
• I thoroughly enjoyed watching Rodgers come off the field with a huge smile. There is no question this game meant a ton to him. He was the difference maker he had to be in a huge game and it was over the team/the guy that Rodgers quietly wanted to destroy. Very nice game Rodgers – you responded big-time.
• It was lots of fun to watch Favre and Bevell jawing at each other. I know things like that happen during a game more than we can usually see on TV – but that was fun to watch.
• Hard to feel sorry for Childress – and as much as I don’t typically have sympathy for the guy, it was kind of hard to watch/listen to the fire Childress chant while Fox put the camera right on his face. He was hurting big-time while that was happening – couldn’t stop fidgeting. But the crowd was absolutely right – the guy is a bad coach. While it is a bit late to act now, if I were MN, I’d seriously consider making the move to give Leslie Frazier a trial run.
• Defense was outstanding. Woodson was all over the place – when he’s on I’m not sure there is a more exciting defender out there. I find it sometimes simply stunning how Charles can see plays developing all while covering his guy – then make a break for it at the right moment and make a play.
• Tramon was good early in the year, but over the last 4-5 games, he has played like one of the top 3-4 CBs in the NFL – no exaggeration. He’s been that good and right now, at the risk of over-hyping a bit, I think it’s safe to say we have the best corner duo in the NFL.
• Bishop continues to add a presence in the middle of the field that changes games. Sometimes it’s quite evident – like on a big hit or a reliable tackle. Other times, it’s not so obvious. I’m finding it very interesting that teams either haven’t or can’t go over the middle on us as well as they used to. That is in good part because of Bishop, but also because Hawk has been playing very good football.
• The duo of Collins and Peprah has become very solid. Peprah appears to have a very good feel for the defensive calls that Capers makes. Unless I’m missing something, when I watch him he almost always appears to be in a good position.
• Matthews looked good dropping back and disrupting plays today. It was interesting because on a number of occasions, it seemed Capers pulled him back instead of rushing him and this clearly confused the Vikes’ offense.
• Capers was money again. He called a fantastic game. The defense has a tremendous rhythm right now.
• Brandon Jackson continues to be a very nice receiving option for Rodgers. He’s very sure-handed. While his running doesn’t appear to be anything special, his receiving and run-after-catch stats are nice.
• Jennings looks like himself again. Wow. He is so smooth it’s fun to watch. He is the Fred Couples of the NFL. His catches look effortless, him turning up the speed looks effortless and even his breaking off of jams on the line of scrimmage looks effortless. He is really good.
• Jones had a nice game and a beautiful TD catch.
• There was a nice mix of play-calling by McCarthy today. After the first quarter, there was a very good rhythm offensively.
• I really liked Nance running at the end. Even though you might be surprised to learn he only averaged 3 yards a carry – he runs with a toughness, almost guaranteeing those 3 yards. Funny too that he looks like Lynch.
• MN just looks out of sorts. Like I was hoping would happen, after the offense got it going in the 2nd quarter, I think MN began to shut down mentally. I still believe they have a lot of talent, but they are just not getting it done. It’s coaching, it’s Favre being bad, it’s having some attitude issues on the team – ultimately, it’s just being the Vikings.
• Huge game coming up next – and a brutally difficult one – at Atlanta.