Packers’ McKinney refuses to take a play off

By GERY WOELFEL

On the surface, at least, there really won’t be much at stake for the Green Bay Packers.

With a playoff spot already reserved in their name, the Packers won’t be affected by the outcome of their game Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Packers simply want to get in and get out of Minneapolis without incurring any more injuries, especially to their blue-chip players.

They are already without four prime-time players due to injuries: tight end Tucker Kraft, center Elgton Jenkins, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt and, last but certainly not least, Micah Parsons.

Yes, the NFL season is brutally challenging not only physically but also mentally. By this time of the season, there are few players, if any, who aren’t dealing with issues.

While playing every single game is an amazing feat for any player, it’s almost mind-boggling there are a select few who have played every snap during that long, grueling journey.

The Packers have one such player: Xavier McKinney.

McKinney, now in his sixth NFL season (his first four with the Giants and last two with the Packers), enters Sunday’s game having been on the field all 1,053 defensive snaps this season.

Amazingly, this won’t be the first season the 27-year-old McKinney has been an “Iron Man”. Two seasons ago, while with the Giants, he also played every snap. In that 2023 season, McKinney played 1,128 snaps.

If you don’t think that’s crazy, here’s what makes McKinney’s work ethic even crazier: In three other seasons, he played at least 97 percent of the snaps. He played 97 percent of the snaps in 2021, 98 percent in 2022 and 98 percent last season.

So, while most of the Packers start aren’t likely to play much today, you can go to the bank McKinney will. He’ll have it no other way.

IN A SNAP

(The top 10 Packers who have the highest percentage of snaps this season):

1 — Xavier McKinney, safety, 100.0

2 — Edgerrin Cooper, linebacker, 99.3

3 — Rasheed Walker, off. tackle, 98.9

4 — Keisean Nixon, cornerback, 95.8

5 — Jordan Love, quarterback, 89.4

6 — Quay Walker, linebacker, 85.4

7 — Evan Williams, safety, 83.7

8 — Sean Rhyan, center, 80.8

9 — Romeo Doubs, receiver, 78.0

10 — Aaron Banks, guard, 74.7

WHAT THE ODDSMAKERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE PACKERS-VIKINGS GAME: Vikings are 9.5-point favorites.

GW’S PREDICTION: Vikings 27, Packers 20.