The Packers will have a huge defense problem this Sunday when they face off against their NFC North rivals, the Minnesota Vikings. Per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, "Packers ruled out linebacker Quay Walker (ankle), safety Evan Williams (quadricep), offensive lineman Andre Dillard (concussion) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) for Sunday's game vs. the Vikings."
Packers ruled out linebacker Quay Walker (ankle), safety Evan Williams (quadricep), offensive lineman Andre Dillard (concussion) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) for Sunday’s game vs. the Vikings.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2024More News: Packers Receive Massive Update on Severity of Christian Watson Injury
Walker has been hobbled by the ankle injury that kept him out of the team's Week 16 win over the Saints and unable to practice; it appears he was unable to recuperate sufficiently to face off against the Vikings.
Williams, on the other hand, was seen on a stationary bike during the team's stretching session and missed practice; the rookie safety was placed on the injury report last Saturday for a quad injury and also sat out playing the Saints.
Dillard was simply listed as being out due to a concussion. This was the first practice Alexander missed this week, being listed as a full participant before being limited on Thursday. That's a pretty huge section of the Packers' defensive line to be out before Week 17, making an already momentous game even more tense.
The Packers have been on a strong run, winning five of their last six games and averaging over 30 points in each of their last five outings. With an 11-4 record, they can't claim the NFC North title, but they are still very much in the playoff picture.
The Packers can secure the NFC's No. 5 seed and potentially deny their NFC North rivals, the Vikings, a shot at the No. 1 seed if they pull off a win on Sunday.
Although Green Bay is locked into the second spot in the division, they are ranked ahead of the Vikings in the ESPN Football Power Index (FPI), where they sit at No. 3, while Minnesota is ranked No. 7.
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For the Vikings, who sit at 13-2, this game is critical for both division and playoff positioning. If Minnesota wins, they remain in contention for both the NFC North title and the No. 1 overall seed, with a potential matchup with the Detroit Lions next week to decide the division crown.
However, a loss to the Packers on Sunday, combined with a Lions win on Monday night, would eliminate the Vikings from the division race. To keep their hopes alive, the Vikings must win both of their remaining games, starting with this high-stakes showdown against Green Bay. With the Packers' defense being down so many key members, their chances may just have risen.
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