Packers have a well-Krafted script for Vikings

By GERY WOELFEL
The final score was so deceiving.
When the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings met in both teams’ regular-season opener Sept. 13 at Minneapolis, the Vikings convincingly beat the Packers 39-22.
But did they?
Yes, the Vikings won, but the game was much closer than the final score indicated. In fact, the Packers led the Vikings until just 6 minutes, 27 seconds were left n the game and after a string of controversial officiating calls.
The killer moment – or moments – for the Packers occurred on a fourth-quarter series where the Packers stopped the Vikings on three straight fourth-downs, only to have three straight penalties called on them by Shawn Hochuli’s crew.
Those critical and, yes, controversial enalties were:
 Nickel back Javon Bullard being called for illegal contact.
 Nose tackle Chris McClellan penalized for an alleged late hit on Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz.
 Safety Xavier McKinney being called for holding, taking away an interception by Evan Williams.
On the next play, Aaron Jones scored to put the Vikings ahead for the first time in the game.
While the Packers wound up losing by 17 points, the Packers fully exposed the Vikings’ suspect secondary.
Jodan Love passed for 387 yards and two touchdowns and receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden combined for 242 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Watson and Golden have since gone on to have sensational seasons and have formed what is arguably the most dangerous receiving tandem in the NFL.
The Vikings, of course, are well aware of this. They’ll have no other choice but to focus on keeping Watson and Golden in check.
And you know Packers head coach Matt LaFleur will devise a game-plan to counter the Vikings’ coverage intensions.
You can fully expect Watson and Golden to have major roles in this game, but look for veteran tight end Tucker Kraft to be more involved.
With Watson and Golden drawing extra attention, Kraft should find creases in the short and intermediate areas of the Vikings’ coverage.
Kraft had only three catches in the first encounter against the Vikings this season, but it would be shocking if he didn’t have several more this time around.
WHAT THE ODDSMAKERS ARE SAYING: Packers are favored by 3 points.
WHAT GW IS SAYING: Packers 31, Vikings 27.