Ah yes, another week, another crushing defeat to a bad football team. I think it's time to accept that now, the Green Bay Packers are the bad football team that everyone has marked as a win. And up next, a familiar foe coming off a huge victory at home after the San Francisco 49ers, the Minnesota Vikings. Will the Packers be able to put together a complete football game and take down the suddenly surging Purple and Gold?

Before we get into that, let's raise the Packers Periscope and look back at the past, present and future of the Packers and Vikings.

The Past 

The Packers lead the all-time series with the Vikings 65-57-3, with the series being relatively split 5-4-1 since 2018. The most recent being New Years' Day 2023, when the Packers, in the midst of a late-season win streak, absolutely rocked Minnesota 41-17.

But going back a bit further, I'd like to take a peek back at one the most thoroughly enjoyable wins over Minnesota I can remember, and it wasn't even that long ago. On December 23, 2019, with the NFC North on the line, the Green Bay Packers, led by first-year head coach Matt LaFleur, went into the Giant Bird Killer, AKA US Bank Stadium, and showed up their rivals 23-10 en route to the division championship and a game closer to securing a bye in the playoffs.

The game didn't start off very well, however. Early turnovers and drives stalling out plagued any sort of Packers momentum early. Three Mason Crosby field goals were all the Pack could muster by half, while Minnesota nabbed a Stefon Diggs touchdown and Dan Bailey field goal giving them a 10-9 halftime lead.

Much like the 2023 Packers, something happened at halftime. First off, Za'Darius Smith was an absolute machine, getting to Cousins for 3.5 sacks during the game. He was a one-man wrecking crew, and boy, was it fun to watch Z that season. He was fantastic. Offensively, remained a bit of a slog, but the Packers went up 16-10 in the third on an Aaron Jones 12-yard run. Late in the fourth, the Packers were looking to stomp on Minnesota's throat - and they did. Running to his left, Jones again caught the corner and housed a 56-yard touchdown run to all but seal it for the Packers. It was a total exclamation point on a total surprise of a season, given new coach and Aaron Rodgers, who did not remotely look Aaron Rodgers in 2018.

It's one I'll fondly remember as the Packers and Rodgers re-establishing themselves as the Kings of the North.

The Present

Well, time to deflate the high after reflecting on a huge win, but in reality, it's been a bit of a polarizing last few weeks for both of these teams. Minnesota, starting off 1-5 and looking totally hapless, has rattled off back-to-back wins, at Chicago and at home against SanFran. Meanwhile, as we're well aware, Green Bay hasn't won in over a month and has lost on the road twice in embarrassing fashion twice with a bye week between. 

The Vikings, for better or worse, enter the game with a little ambiguity at quarterback with leader Kirk Cousins not under contract beyond this year. Will he get traded? It seems not. Will he back? That remains to be seen. But, he is coming off of one his better efforts, especially in primetime, in Monday Night's win. However, their offensive line is a tremendous question mark, with Cousins being sacked 15 times through Week 6. Miraculously, he avoided any sacks against the Niners, but the Vikings remain the only team in the league without a rushing touchdown. Gang, so help me if they run wild over the Packers...

Injury-wise, they've been without Justin Jefferson for a few weeks, and he'll be out again this week. And given Jaire Alexander's inability to stay healthy this season, we'll call that one a wash.

Meanwhile, Green Bay is feeling the brunt of their youth. It's a combination of issues, which makes it all the more difficult to diagnose. And with injuries popping up every week, they're unable to gain stability with who is playing. And speaking of questionable offensive line play, the Packers certainly have that. Penalties, missed blocks, inability to run block... they're trying and failing at all of it.

This game will -- sigh -- again be about whether or not the Packers can score points. I'd expect the defense to hold Minnesota to around or under 20 points, but can the offense score more than that? It's another somewhat forgiving matchup, at home no less, and another winnable game even for a team struggling like Green Bay.

The Future

Noon Lambeau time, November 29, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Vikings come in as a slight betting favorite at -1.5, which checks out given the last few weeks. Weather-wise, we're looking at low 40s and a rain/snow mix. Hello winter! It will be interesting to see how both teams handle the weather, given how Minnesota was slipping ALL OVER Lambeau Field a year ago.

As I mentioned above, this game is about the Packers offense. If they can show any semblance at running the football and avoiding penalties, they have a chance here. And bringing a dome team into the elements is always a nice advantage, especially when Kirk Cousins is one of those dome players.

In all, I expect more of the same. Cushy, bending-not-breaking defense, an offense that will struggle to score. Will they be able to get those extra few points that have stifled them this season and creep closer to .500? Or is Minnesota figuring it out and getting their ship righted? Can't wait to find out.