Packers star CB suspended for odd reason ahead of critical game vs. Vikings

The former first-round pick shouldn't have been on the field for the pregame coin toss, and the situation was almost even more disastrous when he called tails, won the toss and said, "I want our defense on the field." Fortunately for the Packers, head coach Matt LaFleur told the referees before the contest that if the Packers won the coin flip, they would defer.

If LaFleur hadn't taken that step, the official could've misunderstood Alexander's words, leading to the Carolina Panthers getting the ball to start both halves.

After the game, LaFleur called the defensive back's antics a "big mistake."

That big mistake could be costly for the Packers.

Per NFL.com's playoff picture, Green Bay (7-8) currently has a 26% chance to make the playoffs, but that figure would jump to 56% with a win and fall to 1% with a loss. Meanwhile, if the Packers knock off their NFC North rivals, Minnesota's postseason probability would go from 29% to 5%, but if the Vikings win, their chances would go to 51%.

Minnesota's shot at a win on Sunday night seemingly took a huge hit Tuesday when it was announced that star tight end T.J. Hockenson suffered a season-ending ACL and MCL injury in Week 16.