There was a little surprise when the 4-2 Packers are three-point favorites over the 6-1 Vikings in the big NFC North rematch. The stakes are high.  A win puts the Packers right on the Vikings’ heels, and a loss puts Packers almost out of reach of a division title. The Packers have become increasingly dominant and at the same time the Vikings seemed to have reached their apex and be on the decline. This makes it seem fitting that the Packers are favorites in their own house.

The Packers have done what good teams do: beat bad teams solidly and decisively.  The Browns and the Lions were completely hapless against the Packers.  The Packers dominated both sides of the ball and for the most part, have done well on special teams as well. The Packers have out scored their last two opponents by 57-3  and have out gained their opponents  895 to 288 in total yards.

The Packers have also seen the development and improvement of their team.  The Packers offensive line has seemed to gell.  OT TJ Lang has done a solid job filling in for Clifton and C Scott Wells manhandled the talented NT Shaun Rogers while filling in for Spitz.    Lang and Wells have done so well, they are looking like they will continue to start even after the former starters heal.  Another bright spot: the Packers may have rediscovered the running game that they lost years ago.  The Packers ran for 202 yards against the Browns and unlike previous games, the majority of these yards did not come at mop-up time.  If this continues it will open up the play-action pass and prevent defensive ends from doing a straight QB rush.  The icing on the cake is in the passing game with the reemergence of Donald Driver as a big-play receiver and the near flawless recent performance of Aaron Rodgers.

The defense has come together again with improving performance by the linebackers, Clay Matthews and Nick Barnett in particular.  Safeties Nick Collins and Atari Bigby have recovered from their injuries and are playing at their former levels.  The Packers corners, Al Harris and Charles Woodson, continue their high caliber play.   BJ Raji is playing at a higher level on the defensive line.  Johnny Jolly has been immovable and able to make plays against the pass and the run.  There is a lot to be excited about with this explosive turnover-generating defense.

Part II will look at the Vikings decline and how the Packers match up.