Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
Vikings WR Bisi Johnson played for Packers WR coach Alvis Whitted at Colorado State (2015-18).
Vikings DT Shamar Stephen and Green Bay backup QB Tim Boyle at Connecticut (2013)
Vikings TE Irv Smith, Jr., Packers CB Tony Brown and P JK Scott at Alabama (2016-17)
Vikings T Riley Reiff and Packers T Bryan Bulaga at Iowa (2008-10); Vikings DT Jaleel Johnson and Packers CB Josh Jackson and WR Allen Lazard at Iowa (2014-16)
Vikings DE Stephen Weatherly and Packers ILB Oren Burks at Vanderbilt (2013-15)
Vikings LB Anthony Barr (2010-13) and LB Eric Kendricks (2010-14), and Packers DL Kenny Clark (2013-15) are former UCLA Bruins. Vikings running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu was UCLA’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach from 2014-16.
Vikings assistant special teams coach Ryan Ficken was at UCLA when Packers TE Marcedes Lewis was a Bruin (2003-05).
Vikings LB Ben Gedeon and Packers LB Rashan Gary overlapped at Michigan in 2016.
Vikings CB Mackensie Alexander (2013-15), CB Mark Fields (2015-18) and S Jayron Kearse (2013-15) are former Clemson Tigers, along with Packers LB B.J. Goodson (2011-15).
Vikings assistant defensive line coach Rob Rodriguez coached linebackers and special teams at UTEP when Packers RB Aaron Jones was with the Miners (2013-14).
Vikings DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (2012-16) and Eric Wilson (2012) spent time at Northwestern with Packers DL Dean Lowry (2012-15) and FB Danny Vitale (2012-15). Packers DL Tyler Lancaster also went to Northwestern from 2013-17. Vikings offensive quality control coach Christian Jones played receiver at Northwestern from 2011-15.
Vikings G Pat Elflein and Packers C Corey Linsely teamed for two seasons at Ohio State.
Vikings DT Hercules Mata’afa and Packers G Cole Madison at Washington State (2014-17)
VIKINGS TOP PERFORMERS VS. PACKERS
Kirk Cousins: 4 games (one postseason with Washington), 114-of-162 passing, 70.4 completion percentage, 1,471 passing yards, 11 TDs, 1 INT, 118.6 passer rating; 14 rushes for 28 yards and a TD
Stefon Diggs: 7 games, 42 receptions, 550 yards, 6 TDs; 3 rushes for 16 yards
Adam Thielen: 10 games, 52 receptions, 692 yards, 4 TDs; 3 rushes for 71 yards
Kyle Rudolph: 15 games (one postseason), 56 receptions, 629 yards, 3 TDs
Dalvin Cook: 2 games, 20 rushes for 67 yards; 6 receptions for 99 yards and a TD
Everson Griffen: 19 games (one postseason), 44 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 15 TFL, 2 FF
Harrison Smith: 13 games (one postseason), 84 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 7 TFL, 5 INT, 8 PBU
VIKINGS BIG DAYS VS. PACKERS
Adam Thielen has posted multiple big performances against Green Bay and twice has set the team record for most receptions against the Packers with 12 (Dec. 24, 2016; Sept. 16, 2018).
Stefon Diggs racked up a career-high 182 receiving yards and snagged a career-long 75-yard catch against the Packers on Sept. 19, 2016, the first-ever game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Kirk Cousins had two impressive outings against the Packers in 2018, his first season as a Viking. He threw four touchdown passes and totaled 425 passing yards, the fourth-highest in his career, at Green Bay in Week 2. Against the Packers in Week 11, Cousins was 29-of-38 passing for 342 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Everson Griffen recorded a career-high 3.0 sacks against the Packers in the 2012 regular-season finale. In the NFC North-clinching victory in Week 17 of the 2015 season, he totaled 2.0 sacks and forced a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
Harrison Smith posted a pair of marquee games against the Packers in 2017. On Oct. 15, he recorded five tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, two passes defensed, two quarterback hits and an interception. In the second meeting with Green Bay that season, Smith nabbed two interceptions to help the Vikings shut out the Packers at Lambeau Field.
VIKINGS-PACKERS SERIES NOTES
1. Since 2008, the Vikings (four) and the Packers (five) have combined for nine of the 11 NFC North titles.
2. The Vikings are 11-6-1 all-time in September games against the Packers.
3. Under Zimmer, the Vikings are 2-2-1 at Green Bay. In the five games prior to Zimmer’s hire, Minnesota went 0-4-1, including a playoff appearance, at Lambeau Field.
Longest Vikings winning streak in series: 7 games (Nov. 2, 1975 through Oct. 22, 1978)
Longest Vikings losing streak in series: 6 games (Oct. 22, 1961 through Nov. 10, 1963)