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Showdown Notes

North Division before North Pole

by Mark Daniels

The countdown is on for the race to be decided in the NFC North Division and for the race from the North Pole.  Monday night it's all about football as the 10-4 Minnesota Vikings host the 11-3 Green Bay Packers.  Tuesday night is Christmas Eve when the Jolly Old Elf departs to ease the pain of kids young and old living in the losing city.

Only three rooting and shopping days left!

Here in Packerland, it's been a very business like week.  The Packers already have their "seat at the table" as veteran tight Mercedes Lewis said, clinching a playoff berth last weekend with a victory over the Bears and a last little nudge from the Dallas Cowboys who beat the Los Angeles Rams.

On the team meeting white board board at Lambeau Field, the number one goal listed by Head Coach Matt LaFleur is winning the NFC North Division title.   That will happen with a win over the Vikings, or a winning trip to Detroit next week.   

Minnesota could get their post-season invitation punched before kickoff.  If the Rams stumble again, to the San Francisco 49ers this Saturday night in Santa Clara, the Vikes will wrap up the field of six in the NFC and launch a donnybrook finish to determine the playoff seedings.

LaFleur gave the team and extra day off this week with the showdown game on Monday night.  He felt his team needed one last mental break  as much as another 24 hours of physical mending.

The Packers are an incredibly healthy team heading into the NFL's 16th weekend of competition.    Every rostered player has been available for practice this week.

Same can't be said for the Vikings who almost certainly will be without Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook.  He's amassed over 1100 yards rushing and 1600 total yards for scrimmage but he's also nursing a shoulder injury.   There have been whispers Cook might be shut down for the final two weeks of the regular season.   His primary backup, rookie Alexander Mattison, hasn't practiced Thursday or Friday because of an ankle injury.

There's a genuine mutual admiration between Minnesota Head Coach and Aaron Rodgers.   In the nearly seven years of Zimmer's tenure in Minneapolis, the series is dead even at 5-5-1.  Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone in the first Packer visit to US Bank Stadium in 2016 when Anthony Barr drove him to the ground.  He has yet to win in three tries in that venue.

Zimmer told Green Bay reporters in a conference call on Thursday either he or Rodgers has got to get out of the division and when I asked him why, he said "he's too damn good."    Zimmer also asked us if we could coax Rodgers into retirement before Monday's game.

As for Rodgers, he has a healthy respect for Zimmer's defensive acumen, calling him one of the best defensive coaches in the league.

Mark Daniels

I’ve got Green and Gold in my blood having grown up in Titletown and it’s been a treat watching and covering sports from the Packers to the preps for you in Green Bay for Midwest Communications.
As a kid, I chased Packer players for autographs, I’m still chasing ‘em now for quotes on the big play or big game. I’ve had the opportunity to cover Super Bowls, the World Series, Stanley Cup Finals, NBA playoffs and major championship golf over the years but I get just as much enjoyment following the college scene at UWGB or St. Norbert, the Green Bay Gamblers and high school sports.
Our prep coverage was honored as the best of 2007 reinforcing our commitment to give these hard working boys and girls their due.
My work has also been recognized by the Associated Press and Wisconsin Broadcasters Association with several achievement awards.
Outside of the studio, off the field or away from the gym, I’ve had the pleasure of helping dozens of organizations over the years. I’ve served as race announcer and master of ceremonies at the Bellin Run almost from it’s beginning, spoken to various service clubs and hosted charity golf events or team banquets.
My wife Kari and I have raised two active children which has kept us involved in both school and club athletics for nearly 15 years. Chances are you’ll see me on a golf course when the weather’s nice. My roots are deep and that’s why I’m so enthusiastic about this area’s sporting scene, and as I often say, “Watching kids play games helps keep me young!”
Thanks for listening and see you at the game.