The NFC North still goes through Green Bay. The Packers dispatched the Vikings in convincing fashion with a vintage performance from Aaron Rodgers and the team's defensive line in a 30-13 win. Here's what we learned:
- Take away the records, and this looked like most Vikings-Packers games in the Mike McCarthy era. Green Bay's defensive line deserves the most credit in the resounding win for absolutely manhandling Minnesota upfront all day. Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, Clay Matthews, Julius Peppers and friends all took turns punishing Teddy Bridgewater with six sacks. They also stuffed Adrian Peterson to the tune of 35 rushing yards.
- There was a lot for the Packers to be excited about in this season-altering win. Now 7-3 and tied with Minnesota atop the NFC North, the Packers enter a stretch against three straight losing teams with a head of steam. Eddie Lacy (100 yards on 22 carries) looked completely refreshed after his week off. Aaron Rodgers also threw in his handful of outrageous throws, often on the run, just like he was in September.
- Teddy Bridgewater was impressive in a losing effort. He took shot after shot and kept getting up despite clearly hurting his non-throwing shoulder (Bridgewater briefly went to the locker room and missed the end of one drive) in the first half. Still, Bridgewater had four to five beautiful dimes in the contest. He just never had a true shot because of his offensive line. It was one of his better games of the season despite the final score.
- This game wasn't as imbalanced as the score suggested. The Vikings outgained Green Bay and moved the ball for much of the day, but the Packers were better at capitalizing on chances. Minnesota's penalty yards (110) doomed them. The book is out: pick on Terence Newman in the Minnesota secondary.
- Peterson fumbled for the sixth time this season. That's the most of any running back in the league, and it's ruining an otherwise excellent season.
- Rodgers threw to Randall Cobb nine times for a total of 24 yards and only two catches. Cobb had two to three drops and never seems to be where Rodgers wants him. This is a problem that hasn't gone away; it's only grown worse.
