Something Is Wrong With The Green Bay Packers

There’s been a lot of clamoring for answers as to what happened in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s unusually messy divisional matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. And yet for much of the game, and even into the fourth quarter, there was very little in terms of unanswered questions. When Trey Smack kicked a field goal to stretch Green Bay’s lead to eight with 13:17 remaining in the fourth, all the juice was on the Packers’ side and the game was, honestly, a little boring.

But the Vikings had jumped offside on the play, which made fourth-and-6 into fourth-and-1. Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur weighed his options and decided Fuck those points, opting to drive the nail into the coffin instead. Jordan Love got stuffed on the ensuing play, and the Packers never scored again. This is notable because the Vikings immediately went on a 22-point scoring run, and won by a final score of 39-22.

Is it as simple as the Vikings finding a new gear in the fourth? The Packers and their analytics darling QB sputtering to a halt? Momentum plays? Those dastardly refs doing more of their ref chicanery against your favorite team, which is also their most mortal enemy?