Who to Root for - Packers or 49ers?

[VikingLord]

This is kind of a tangential topic, but with the bye week here there is a non-Vikings game that could affect the Vikings in the post season and I am wondering whether it benefits the more if the 49ers win, or if the Packers win.

The Vikings don't play the 49ers in the regular season, so the outcome of the game is relevant only from a conference tie-breaker perspective.

From a record perspective, the 49ers are 9-1 (hard to believe after how they finished last year, but there it is). The Packers are 8-2, and the Vikings are 8-3.

If the 49ers win, the Packers and Vikings have the same record with a rematch coming up in Minnesota. Assuming both teams win all their remaining games, the Vikings would win the North outright if they win the rematch. So that is good for the Vikings.

But...

If the 49ers win, they move to 10-1. Now, the 49ers have a pretty tough remaining schedule after facing the Packers. They have to go to the Ravens and Saints, get the Falcons and Rams at home, and then go to Seattle. I could see them losing all of those games, but if they went, say, 3-2 in them, they'd finish with a 13-3 record. The Vikings could have the same record, as could, in theory, New Orleans (or even Seattle).

I don't have time to look at the tie breakers, but as HFA throughout the playoffs is a substantial advantage, and I'm pretty sure the Vikings wouldn't want to head out West for a playoff game in January, is it better if the Packers beat the 49ers?

If the Packers win, I would assume the Vikings could still win the division by winning out (also, assuming the Packers win out other than losing the rematch). Or, regardless of the outcome of the rematch, would the Packers still win the division?

Given the preference that the Vikings not only win the North, but win HFA throughout the playoffs if possible, does anyone know the best scenario for that to happen in terms of this upcoming game between the 49ers and the Packers?

This is looking like a really stacked NFC playoff field. Getting a bye and at least one home game could be critical.

Who should we be rooting for?

[Pondering Her Percy]

I will never, EVER, root for the Packers. So there is my answer

[Dames]

I agree with PHP, don't think I could ever root for the Packers. (unless they are completely out of it, and it helps us, but that's not this year.)

But, for argument sake, I'll look at how it plays out.

A SF win is best in helping us win the division. I think if GB wins, they almost have a strangle-hold on the division. If we end in a tie, GB wins, in most scenarios. (GB has to lose to Chi or DET for us to have the tie-breaker chance). I played around with us going 4-1, and GB going 4-2... we still are a WC. We really need GB to stumble, and for us to not screw it up.

SF still has a tough schedule, so they could lose a few more on their own. I think the risk of Seattle sneaking in and getting a bye is worse. I would rather go to SF than Seattle. I think I would rather go to SF than GB too for that matter.

[VikingLord]

SF still has a tough schedule, so they could lose a few more on their own. I think the risk of Seattle sneaking in and getting a bye is worse. I would rather go to SF than Seattle. I think I would rather go to SF than GB too for that matter.

San Fran's finishing schedule is pretty brutal, while the Packers looks pretty favorable, so the more I look at it, the more I'm inclined to hope the 49ers beat the Packers, which, assuming the Vikings take care of their business, would make it most possible for the Vikings to win the North outright. As you point out, if they don't win the North outright, the best they can do is a wildcard, so at this point whatever helps the Vikings towards outright winning the North is best.

[PacificNorseWest]

I hate both teams, but without looking at tie breakers (I assume favor GB over Minnesota at this point), a 49ers win means the Vikings control their own destiny in the NFCN and the Niners have a very tough schedule, even after their game with GB, so go Niners!

[Purple Domination]

Like my t-shirt said when I was 13, my two favorite teams are the Vikings and whoever plays the Packers.

[J. Kapp 11]

I'd rather see the Vikings travel to the west coast in January than to Lambeau.

There is almost no scenario that I would root for Green Bay. Let's say ... in order to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Vikings need the 0-15 Packers to win.

Nope. Still not rooting for the Packers.

[Dmizzle0]

49ers, btw are their key players coming back from injury?

[S197]

I will never, EVER, root for the Packers. So there is my answer

+1

[CharVike]

I agree with PHP, don't think I could ever root for the Packers. (unless they are completely out of it, and it helps us, but that's not this year.)

But, for argument sake, I'll look at how it plays out.

A SF win is best in helping us win the division. I think if GB wins, they almost have a strangle-hold on the division. If we end in a tie, GB wins, in most scenarios. (GB has to lose to Chi or DET for us to have the tie-breaker chance). I played around with us going 4-1, and GB going 4-2... we still are a WC. We really need GB to stumble, and for us to not screw it up.

SF still has a tough schedule, so they could lose a few more on their own. I think the risk of Seattle sneaking in and getting a bye is worse. I would rather go to SF than Seattle. I think I would rather go to SF than GB too for that matter.

I would think it benefits us more if the 49ers win. We need to win the division. If the Packers win out say good night to that. If we do make the playoffs it will be on the road. There isn't an easy place at that point. Saints are domed so that takes the weather out of it.

[Bowhunting Viking]

I will never, EVER, root for the Packers. So there is my answer

+1

Like I always say... I would rather jab an ice pick through my left nut than ever root for the Pukers. And as long as Erin is their QB, I will even add driving it thru and into the right nut too .

[Purplepain2018]

I always root for the Packers to lose. Always!!!

[StanM]

My answer would be that I wish I could turn back the clock to the first Green Bay game and we played better and had won that one. Then we wouldn't even be having this conversation. But if I were forced to pick one I'd say I prefer that SF wins as the Pack has a softer remaining schedule so if they don't stumble tomorrow we probably won't win the north.

[Bowhunting Viking]

My answer would be that I wish I could turn back the clock to the first Green Bay game and we played better and had won that one. Then we wouldn't even be having this conversation. But if I were forced to pick one I'd say I prefer that SF wins as the Pack has a softer remaining schedule so if they don't stumble tomorrow we probably won't win the north.

Agree 100%.

[808vikingsfan]

First thread we all agree. Root for the 49ers.

Would a tie help the VIkings?