Gather a group of Vikings together and let them relax while having a few beers. Then ask what team on the schedule they most want to defeat. A lot of the players will answer the Packers, according to Jeff Dugan, Vikings tight end.
The reason is there are thousands of Packers fans living in Minnesota. Vikings players prefer silencing those fans rather than listening to them talk about a Packers win in the middle of Purple Nation.
It will certainly calm the Vikings critics a bit if Minnesota (3-6) can avoid losing to the Packers (6-3) for a second time this season when the two teams meet on Sunday at Mall of America Field. The Vikings are being labeled a “bad” team but the players believe they are a talented group.
“We’re loaded with talent,” Vikings defensive end Brian Robison said. “As far as us being a bad team, I totally disagree with that. I just think this year we’re just not making the plays that need to be made in order for us to win.”
The scores in half the losses substantiate that last sentence. The Vikings have lost three of their games by five points or less.
That includes a 28-24 loss to the Packers in Green Bay on October 24. The defeat in Green Bay is part of a nine-game road losing streak dating back to last season.
The Vikings, who are 17-3 in their last 20 home games, will be happy to be at Mall of America Field on Sunday, unless they lose and have to listen to those “Minnesota” Packers fans.