Vikings-Packers Final Thoughts Week 17

Minnesota’s special teams unit has been impressing all season long but struggled in a few ways against the Rams last week – including allowing L.A. to return a punt for a touchdown. Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken spoke to the media this week about bouncing back.

“The biggest thing that we talked about is we’ve got to regroup. That was one play,” Ficken said. “We’ve done a lot of great things this year and affected the game, so we’ve got to make sure we refocus, get back to our basics and fundamentals, and we can’t let that one play take us away from the task at-hand – and that’s going out there and dominating and being that spark for our team.”

Ficken didn’t express much concern over the outdoor environment at Lambeau, saying that specialists Greg Joseph, Jordan Berry and Andrew DePaola spent time practicing outside at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.

“Guys are understanding the situation and the elements, and they’re professionals,” Ficken said. “They’re ready to go, and we’ve been preparing that way, so I expect them to be ready to go.”

While lots of eyes will be on the Vikings special teams, it’s important to keep tabs on what Green Bay does on special teams, too. Throughout the season, the Packers have struggled in that area. Mason Crosby’s 70-percent field goal success rate ranks 31st in the league, and Green Bay ranks 30th in the league on kickoff returns with a 17.3-yard average. The team’s average of 6.8 yards per punt return isn’t much better at 29th overall.

Minnesota’s third phase of the game will try to provide a lift against favored Green Bay.