Packers advance against Ponder-less Viks

NFC Wild Card Round
January 5, 2013 - 7 p.m. - NBC
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, Wisconsin

Packers 24 - Vikings 10

The Packers advanced to the NFC Divisional playoffs to take on the #2 seeded San Francisco 49ers after beating the Minnesota Vikings at home in the Wild Card matchup.  This was the third time these two teams matched up against each other, but this one was the most important.

Vikings starting quarterback Christian Ponder did not play in this game.  Ponder suffered a triceps injury the previous week and apparently was affecting Ponder's throwing ability in pre-game warmups.  Backup quarterback Joe Webb stepped in the spotlight and looked like a backup quarterback.

Photo credit: packers.com

The story of the night was the Packers defense.  Without Christian Ponder under center, we put all our defensive focus on stopping Adrian Peterson.  (Disclaimer:  I don't think there is anyway to stop Adrian Peterson; you can only contain him/slow him down.)  The Packers contained Peterson all night.  The defense did not allow Peterson to beat them.  If the Vikings were going to win, it was going to be with the legs and arm of Joe Webb.  Webb was terrible.  The Vikings never really had a chance.  Peterson rushed for 99 yards on 22 carries.  This was a small victory for the Packers defense.  In the two regular season match ups, Peterson averaged 7.4 yards per carry.  Tonight, Peterson averaged 4.5 yards per carry.  Again, you can't stop Adrian Peterson; you can only contain him.


The Vikings took their opening drive down for three points.  After that, nothing for that Vikings offense until late 4th quarter.  Packers led 7-3 after the 1st quarter and 17-3 at halftime.  And the Packers led 24-3 after the 3rd quarter.  Again, the Vikings were never in this football game.

Aaron Rodgers completed 23 or 33 passes for 274 yards and threw a 9-yard touchdown to fullback John Kuhn.  Running back DuJuan Harris rushed for 47 yards on seventeen carries and added a rushing touchdown.  Harris also had five receptions for 53 yards.  Harris reminded me of James Starks back in 2011 against the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs.  He was somewhat of an unknown player and played well tonight.  There wasn't very many offensive highlights from this game.

Photo credit: packers.com

In the playoffs, all you have to do is win and move on.  That is what the Packers did tonight.  Was it pretty? No.  Would the game have been different if Christian Ponder played? Most definitely.  But again, it's a win.  A playoff win.  And against the rival Minnesota Vikings.  That is probably the sweetest thing of all.

#OnToSanFrancisco

#gopackgo