By Adam Roberts – 12/2/2020

Despite the previous article I wrote detailing the return of wide receiver Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings as they try and manufacture a wild card run, change is still needed on the Vikings special teams unit, which came yesterday evening.

The Vikings have cut long snapper Austin Cutting, a seventh-round pick last year from the Air Force Academy. In a world where one gaff can be a career-ender depending on the situation, Cutting had a low snap in the team’s game against Chicago and had previously missed time on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Minnesota singed a veteran in Andrew DePaola the week after the Bears game, who will take over the role full-time now.

By Adam Roberts – 12/2/2020

Giannis and the Bucks will once again be a featured part of the NBA’s Christmas Day showcase, arguably the biggest regular season day for games.

Milwaukee will welcome Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors to Fiserv on December 25th in the second of five top tier match ups including Mavs-Lakers, Pelicans-Heat, Nets-Celtics, and Clippers-Nuggets.

The game will the the first time Milwaukee has hosted a Christmas Day game since 1968.

If Giannis doesn’t sign the super max before then, you can be certain that will be the main point of emphasis for the commentary team.

By Adam Roberts – 12/1/2020

I hinted that the Packers’ signing of Tavon Austin could mean the writing is on the wall for wide receiver and special teamer Darrius Shepherd. Today, we got confirmation that this is in fact the case.

Green Bay is releasing wide receiver Darrius Shepherd, who has served as the primary kick and punt returner since the injury to Tyler Ervin. This doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Shepherd in Green Bay, however; he could still be added to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Shepherd of course had a costly fumble on a kickoff return against the Indianapolis Colts a couple of weeks ago, and as we saw with Ty Montgomery a few years ago against the Rams, one bad play building upon a string of mediocre performances can cost you a roster spot.

Austin will be eligible to practice with Green Bay tomorrow.

By Adam Roberts – 11/30/2020

Kicker Joey Slye had been money twice for the Panthers against the Vikings, but after Chad Beebe caught a 10 yarder from Kirk Cousins with 46 seconds to go in the game, his services would be called upon once again from 54 yards away.

Turns out, the third time was the charm for the Vikings’ special teams.

Slye’s kick missed wide left by a mile, and Minnesota held on for a 28-27 win. It also ensured that Beebe’s redemption arc would stand, after muffing a punt return and giving the ball back to the Panthers at a critical juncture in the game. Beebe finished with 7 catches for 63 yards and his game-winning score.

Minnesota has pulled into a tie for second in the NFC North courtesy of Green Bay disposing of the Bears. The Vikings are back at home on Sunday for a noon game against Jacksonville.

By Adam Roberts – 11/30/2020

I know many people don’t like prevent defense late in blowout games. Believe me, I don’t either. I prefer to see a complete, sixty minute start-to-finish blowout to cement in my head that a team is as good as we think they are.

That being said, last night’s 41-25 Packers win over Chicago was essentially a 41-10 victory. The result was expected going into the evening, and for once, Green Bay actually didn’t play down to an opponent.

If you take out the fourth quarter, Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was not great in his return to the starting role. Entering the fourth, he had 130 yards passing, a 1-yard touchdown toss, two interceptions, and a lost fumble taking by Preston Smith into the endzone. While run defense STILL has not been figured out by Mike Pettine and the Packers, Trubisky was playing from behind from the get-go, and in modern day football an inept quarterback cannot win games.

Conversely, the Packer offense put up their second-highest point total of the season behind four touchdown tosses by Aaron Rodgers along with 189 yards on the ground. Aaron Jones rushed for 90 yards followed by Jamaal Williams with 73. Williams also had a nice touchdown in the third quarter muscling off would-be tacklers up the middle.

The win puts the Packers up three games in the NFC North with five games remaining. Green Bay next gets Carson Wentz/Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday.

INJURY NEWS

Center Corey Linsley left the game with a hamstring injury, but according to head coach Matt LaFleur it does not appear to be a season-ending situation. Credit should be given to Elgton Jenkins, who stepped in and played center the rest of the game. Jenkins has now played at every position on the O-Line, and has proven to be an underrated but valuable asset for a Packers offensive front that has played great over the last two games. Safety Darnell Savage also left the game with a back injury after recording two interceptions of Trubisky; his status going forward is unknown.