Packers Question of the day - Is the Division Already back in Green Bay's Grasp?

The grim news on rival quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was delivered early Tuesday evening. The "gruesome" knee injury ended up to be a dislocated knee along with a torn ACL - both likely to sideline the Vikings' quarterback for an extended, and I mean extended, period of time.

Bridgewater was arguably ascending in the talent department, whether Packer fans want to admit it or not. Unless of course, you're keeping track of box scores and statistics. Otherwise Bridgewater's 28 touchdowns in two seasons as the team's starter looks disgustingly mediocre. But was he going to be enough of an asset to the Vikings to help catapult them to a second straight NFC North Division title?

While the Vikings still have Adrian Peterson and their young, hungry defense at their disposal, the Packers were already on a mission to reclaim the North. Now with Bridgewater out of the equation, regardless of his skill level as the team's starting quarterback, is the NFC North crown already placed valiantly in Green Bay? Even before September, even before teams are trimmed down to 53 players per roster. 

While the Packers may have already been a lock to win the division like they've done four of the last five years, does Bridgewater's injury create a drastic shift in power in the division?

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (52)

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EdsLaces's picture

August 31, 2016 at 09:15 am

The Bears upgraded their defense big time. And theres also this Kevin White fella ...just sayin.

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JerseyAl's picture

August 31, 2016 at 10:57 am

And there's always that Jay Cutler fella. no worries...

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NickPerry's picture

September 01, 2016 at 06:37 am

From what I've read White hasn't been doing much at all. He's fast, and big, and fast, and big, but Jay seemed to be making excuses or him in a piece I read. Cutler suggested he's still a Rookie really which is true I guess, still sounds like an excuse to me. But if he's the 7th overall pick you'd think something would have rubbed off last season and talent alone would make him a weapon. I guess we'll see soon.

He could be an Al Davis type pick. All speed and no brains.

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dobber's picture

September 01, 2016 at 07:45 am

"He could be an Al Davis type pick. All speed and no brains."

Can he play gunner on special teams?

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 31, 2016 at 09:17 am

Loosing Bridgewater hurts them a lot IMO. I was worried that this was the season he was going to be an above average QB who could put up solid numbers while defenses had to respect AP. If the Packers somehow where not the favorites in the NFC Central they definitively are now.

I will add on other thing. I actually don't think this really helps the Packers. The higher the level on competition they face during the season the sharper I think they will be during the playoffs. And the competition just got weaker.

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lebowski's picture

August 31, 2016 at 02:43 pm

only his knee was 'loosing'

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dobber's picture

August 31, 2016 at 02:44 pm

You can only play the teams on your schedule and in the shape they happen to be in at that time. You just have to knock them down. You can worry about the strength of opponents after the season is over. Do you really think that any of the teams that nudged past the beat-up Packers last year were itching to see the Packers at full strength?

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 31, 2016 at 08:10 pm

So do you think if they played the Lions, Browns and Titans every week and then had to play the Cardinals or Panthers they'd be as prepared as if they played good teams every week?

Doubt it.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 31, 2016 at 09:02 pm

I agree with what you're saying @Jeremy, but I think you're missing @Dobber's point. A team can only control what they can control, which is their play on the field. Scheduling and the health of another team is out of their hands. They still have to play the game.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 31, 2016 at 10:18 pm

Well, his point misses my original point too so I guess we have something in common :)

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holmesmd's picture

August 31, 2016 at 09:17 am

It sure didn't make it more difficult! TB's injury was terrible and you hate to see that happen to any young player. He looked good in pre-season in the short and intermediate passing game. If GB can't get this done this year, they may not have an easier shot ever! Weakest schedule and the division there for the taking. Come on boys, get er done!;) Lol. Go Pack!

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croatpackfan's picture

August 31, 2016 at 09:24 am

Not at all. Do not underestimate any team in NFL!

But, looking how this injury occured and combining with all injuries suffered by Packers players, we can find that more injuries occured during meaningless practices than in meaningles pre season games (other type of practices!). I'm all to stop practicing to make possible teams to start season in full strenght!

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Idiot Fan's picture

August 31, 2016 at 09:24 am

TB looked like he might be ready to make a jump this year, but I don't know that he was anything special last year. Their defense and running game are still legit, and a backup QB may be able to replicate what Teddy did last year. Their Super Bowl dreams may be smashed, but I wouldn't totally rule out the playoffs.

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TarynsEyes's picture

August 31, 2016 at 09:32 am

The amount of depth that has been boasted about at DB, LB, WR and DL, after the return of Pennell, and the highly touted draftee Clark, one would need to be of false hope in the previous too even assume that Bridgewater is the difference in winning or losing the division and possibly more. Is Bridgewater really a season ender for the Vikings as would be Rodgers for the Packers?
The Vikings would have been the same challenge level as always, no more or less with or without Bridgewater. That team still runs on the play/success of Peterson.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

August 31, 2016 at 08:53 pm

"The Vikings would have been the same challenge level as always, no more or less with or without Bridgewater. That team still runs on the play/success of Peterson."

You couldn't just say that? Lol. Jeez, Taryn!

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TarynsEyes's picture

September 01, 2016 at 08:22 am

No, as that part alone could be used as a blanket statement. The rest was pointed to the articles insinuation.

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lebowski's picture

August 31, 2016 at 10:09 am

Mike Florio must be completely devastated.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 31, 2016 at 10:14 am

You say that like it's a bad thing.

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Brian Stecker's picture

August 31, 2016 at 10:12 am

If I am Minnesota. I'm on the phone today and trying to make a move with a team like the Chargers for Phillip Rivers. Vikings have the Def, Oline, and Running game. I think the Packers are the clear favorite. The Bears are improving but can Fox keep Cutler under control in back to back years?

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dobber's picture

August 31, 2016 at 02:38 pm

Losing Adam Gase might be a significant blow for Cutler's consistency.

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MarkinMadison's picture

August 31, 2016 at 10:34 am

It really depends on if you believe that TB had progressed in his ability to get the ball downfield this off-season. I don't have any real information to form an opinion. I will say this - a lot of people pooh poohed Russell Wilson's passing ability even after the Seahawks won their Super Bowl, and he worked on it and is now a legitimate threat in the passing game. TB has enough size that with proper training and coaching I would think that he could take a similar step forward.

Then there is the whole thing about having to replace a QB that you have built your off-season planning around. TB is not such a unique talent that they can't get someone in to replace him. That replacement is not going to be a guy like Phillip Rivers though.

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ray nichkee's picture

August 31, 2016 at 11:17 am

The pack needs to stay relatively healthy to go anywhere in the division. I'm hoping the injuries don't plague them.

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Since'61's picture

August 31, 2016 at 11:18 am

In answer to the article's headline question I would say that the division title was already in the Packer's grasp regardless of the status of T. Bridgewater. As long as the Packers remain relatively healthy they should win their division. As for the vikings the loss of TB is a major blow. Unless his backup can establish that he can make plays in the passing game opposing defenses are going to play the run and stop AP first, which will make him less effective as well. Since I have never heard of the Vikings backup QBs I don't think that their passing game will be much of a threat. As for their defense they will probably be spending more time on the field and will wear down as the season goes on. Yes, this unfortunate injury to TB helps the Packers just as the loss of Cutler or Bradford would help the Packers. Just like no other team would care if this was the Packer's problem it's for the Vikings to deal with. We still need to play them and beat them regardless of who their QB is. While the division title may seem a little closer today, nothing is guaranteed. Take no prisoners and Go Pack Go! Thanks, Since '61

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Bearmeat's picture

August 31, 2016 at 12:15 pm

THIS.

Exactly 61. Last year it took a lot of things piled up randomly to have the Vikes BARELY beat GB. And GB still was the last team standing in the Norris. That wasn't reoccurring this year. GB was going to win the division anyway. What we are all worried about is winning the super bowl.

Where I differ from you is that I already thought GB was going to win the NFCN solidly. IMO, a 2 game winning window just became 5-6. Barring a lot of flukes, we're going to run away with it now.

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NickPerry's picture

September 01, 2016 at 07:06 am

Bearmeat and I both share the same feeling about Bridgewater. I mean the guy passed for 2600 yards, 14 TD's and 12 INT's and they talk about him like he's and elite QB or on the verge of being one. HE'S NOT, at least his stats suggest this and so has his play.

I heard Paul Allen on the NFL Radio yesterday and I wanted to punch my dashboard, and that was just the last 5 minutes of it. The guy couldn't give an objective observation if his life depended on it. He actually thinks and believes this Purple Team is one of the best 3 teams in the NFC! They might be in the top 7 or so but top 3? COMMON MAN!!!

Lastly I commend all my fellow Packers Fans with the nice comments made on different sites for Bridgewater. I feel bad for the "Person", but I'll be damned if I'd send a Queens fan my condolences for their teams QB's injury. 3 years ago they were giving each other high 5's after Rodgers broke his collarbone. Same with Nelsons knee injury telling us all "No Excuses".
Karma's a Mother******.

The Packers were going to kick their butts this season already, with or without TB.

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zeke's picture

September 01, 2016 at 08:01 am

Listening to Paul Allen's play-by-play of the Favre interception in the NFCCG and the Blair Walsh FG "attempt" against Seattle is a permanent cure for erectile dysfunction (in case anyone asks). I would never wish injury on anyone, but will happily bathe in the tears of Paul Allen and every other Vikings fan. Even Ben's.

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holmesmd's picture

September 01, 2016 at 09:52 pm

Sometimes you can make your point better U taking the high road. Do not become that of which you have contempt. If so, you are no different. Show class and be the better, more compassionate fan. That will make them a lot more mad, and have much more of an impact on them then responding with reciprocal douchery. Lol. Just sayin

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PaulRosik's picture

August 31, 2016 at 01:25 pm

I would agree with that. The Packers should already be the favorite with or without Teddy playing.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 31, 2016 at 12:02 pm

I personally felt it was Green Bay's division to lose before Bridgewater got hurt.

I'm not going to say it secures it, because you never know what will happen.

But without Bridgewater in Minnesota, they are definitely weaker.

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Bedrock's picture

August 31, 2016 at 12:11 pm

From a talent loss standpoint, the viqueens are slightly weaker. The bigger loss is in the morale of the team. If the team truly did feel TB was going to take that next step, it's a huge loss-again-from a morale standpoint. If all the talk of TB improvement was just player talk and media hype, then TB was JAG and the team can move forward with almost any other guy.

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dobber's picture

August 31, 2016 at 02:40 pm

If Hill doesn't come out of the gate throwing bullets, the Vikes will be just another one-dimensional NFL team, and you're right: the morale will sag dramatically.

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dobber's picture

August 31, 2016 at 02:43 pm

repeat post

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Lphill's picture

August 31, 2016 at 12:49 pm

Bridgewater was at his peak , he was not going to be the franchise QB, Peterson is a year older and now everyone will be loading the box even more . It's going to be a long season for Vikings fans and they earned it after all their disrespect about Jordy when he went down .

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NickPerry's picture

September 01, 2016 at 07:09 am

Personally I hope they finish 8-8 or even 9-7. They've had enough top 5 picks over the years already. But AP getting the crap pounded out of him even more sounds good to me.

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dobber's picture

September 01, 2016 at 07:43 am

In the end, with our without Teddy B., the Vikings were going to go as far as their defense and Adrian Beat-his-son could take them. That really hasn't changed. Loaded boxes are nothing new to AP: he's seen them throughout his career. This isn't a deathblow to the Vikings, but it makes it much harder for them. With TB, the Vikings were going to have to be grinders. Without him, they will have to be grinders.

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PaulRosik's picture

August 31, 2016 at 01:20 pm

Teddy B was JAG. His loss does not really impact the VIkings too much. They will still have a tough defense and AP and just need someone not to be a disaster behind center to try and follow a 2015 Bronco like path.

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WKUPackFan's picture

August 31, 2016 at 03:32 pm

I'll have to respectfully disagree with that opinion, having watched almost every Teddy game at U of L. Granted, size is the thing that really limits him. However, he has a beautiful touch and can make a variety of throws. In a lot of ways Teddy has the potential to be Drew Brees lite.

The Vikings OLine was pretty bad in pass protection last year. Regardless, Norv Turner should have given Teddy some more chances to throw down field. The constant drama around (caused by?) AP cannot help either.

Teddy may never be a top 10 QB for any number of reasons, but I think he's more than a JAG.

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pacman's picture

August 31, 2016 at 01:36 pm

Who cares about the division title! It's SB or bust - yet again. If the teams stays relatively healthy and they don't win the SB, it will be another disappointing year. How much more talent can one team add?

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WinUSA's picture

August 31, 2016 at 02:43 pm

The Vikings were closing the gap on the Pack. Don't forget during the playoffs the Vikings actually had the game in the bag until that GREAT missed field goal.
Now that Bridgewater is gone for the season (and now it is our time to chuckle because the Viqueens sure were laughing at us when Rodgers went out!) I guess I am a little concerned, with Bridgewater in the game the Packers could contain him as proven for the last 3 years.
But what if the queens trade for five sense Kapernickle. He might not be what he use to be; but he would have a better team around him than he had a SF last year. He could be a potential thorn in our backside.

The Bearskins have quietly put together a solid
D and Fox is a good coach. If the Pack has their own devastating injuries the Bears rugs might not be the bottom dwellars that they are now andcould creep up on our green and gold buttocks. You know like cheap underwear.

But as it is NOW....the Pack REIGNS strong! Go Pack!

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WKUPackFan's picture

August 31, 2016 at 03:20 pm

Julius and Clay have been cleared by the NFL.

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dobber's picture

August 31, 2016 at 03:35 pm

I think all of us (but Cow) expected this.

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4thand1's picture

August 31, 2016 at 06:26 pm

cowpie didn't expect this, he wanted it.

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mrtundra's picture

August 31, 2016 at 03:56 pm

Teddy is not a great QB. The vikings played well last season because of their defense, their running game and a surprise, once in a while, from their STs. Teddy could barely throw the ball deep downfield. His passes were to underneath guys like Rudolph and slot receivers like Diggs. Hill, as his replacement, just has to be able to throw a decent pass once in a while and to hand off the ball to his RBs in hopes they can move the chains. Minnesota will not be a push over and the Packers had better be ready to play them in week two at the Terrarium and then again at Lambeau in December. Minnesota had better pray that Hill doesn't get injured. I am so looking forward to our defense introducing themselves to him in the backfield.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

August 31, 2016 at 10:20 pm

Well, you also said could care less about getting to the playoffs too because you'd rather have a higher draft slot.

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Tundraboy's picture

August 31, 2016 at 11:17 pm

Good one!

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lucky953's picture

August 31, 2016 at 06:49 pm

The most important thing to me is the Packers have not suffered any catastrophic injuries. If they're healthy, they're a threat to go all the way. Need a little luck and a good defensive lineman.

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dobber's picture

August 31, 2016 at 06:50 pm

"The most important thing to me is the Packers have not suffered any catastrophic injuries. "

You'd better be knocking on wood...two fists...hard...

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lucky953's picture

August 31, 2016 at 07:51 pm

Yep, two fists and my noggin at the same time

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al bundy's picture

August 31, 2016 at 08:25 pm

First get well soon teddy. I had that vikes vying for the superbowl, with the pack second and the bears and lions distint very distant. Both those teams regressed.
I beleive Spielman is the best gm in the business if anyone can pull a rabbit out of the hat its him.

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Oppy's picture

August 31, 2016 at 09:46 pm

Vikings vying with the Pack a close second??

Spielman the best GM in the business??

Maybe he can pull a rabbit out of a hat, but can he pull your head out of your arse?

We're talking about the freaking vikings, man!

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jmac34's picture

August 31, 2016 at 10:41 pm

Bundy is a Viking's fan. I think he has even admitted it. The poor grammar should have been a dead give away.

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Lphill's picture

September 01, 2016 at 12:41 pm

Al Bundy is like all the Viking fans on PFF saying " pack fan here , sorry Teddy went down was looking forward to 2 tough games" so what Viking fans are doing is making excuses already for why they will suck .

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