Many fans shrugged off the notion that last Sunday’s game versus the Vikings would be a trap game – but were unpleasantly surprised in the Packers’ narrow 24-21 win over Minnesota. Perhaps looking ahead to their Week 14 meeting with the Patriots, the Packers were surprised by their 
division rivals, nearly dropping an important in-division game that could have tie-breaker implications.
If it weren’t for the sporadic play of Teddy Bridgewater, the Packers might still share the NFC North lead with Detroit. Sluggish play from the Green Bay secondary gave Bridgewater a number of opportunities to move the chains and give Minnesota a lead – but the rookie failed to take advantage. With an 11-point lead late in the fourth quarter, the defense failed to shut the door, allowing the Vikings to get within three and forcing the offense to chew up the remaining clock.
The pass defense must shore up gaps before lining up against the Tom Brady and the league’s 6th-ranked passing attack on Sunday. The Packers are hopeful for a return by outside linebacker Nick Perry, who now plays a considerably more important role on defense after Clay Matthews’ move inside.
While most would agree that the officiating in Sunday’s game was not up-to-par, the Packers were still guilty of undisciplined play throughout the game. Left tackle David Bakhtiari was flagged for holding on two different occasions while rookie cornerback Demitri Goodson committed the bonehead play of the game with early contact on Vikings return man Marcus Sherels during a punt.
Having lost some of the momentum gained coming off of the bye, the Packers now prepare for their most difficult home game of the season. The margin of error in this Sunday’s game versus New England is small and will not allow for the same eight penalties committed against Minnesota.
I will totally agree that if Bridgewater had made some of his throws a little better and put them on the mark this game could have been lost plain and simple. The defense played like shit, I am not sure why Shields and williams played so bad but they looked like high school ballers out there this game. And it seemed the balls that Teddy did throw well a good amount were just dropped by his receivers. Bottom line is McCarthy can stand there and say how this was a hard fought game and look like he was proud of they way his team played, He better wake the hell up and get this team up to par if they want to have a chance against NE.