Vikings (1-5) at Packers (5-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: Packers by 7
Vikings’ keys to victory: Control the ball and win the important situational downs and the turnover battle. The Vikings are based on the run game, which could be a plus if RB Dalvin Cook can be productive and keep Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers on the sideline. The Minnesota defense must be great on third down and in the red zone to pull off the upset. Although Mike Zimmer’s group has struggled to keep points off the board, the Vikings are in the top 10 in both third-down defense and preventing touchdowns in the red zone. Finally, the Vikings need to avoid giveaways (12 in six games) and get a takeaway or two. LB Eric Kendricks or S Harrison Smith may need to make a game-turning play.
Packers’ keys to victory: Contain Cook, keep QB Kirk Cousins under pressure and attack the young cornerbacks. The Vikings should get Cook back from a groin injury. Green Bay needs to keep Cook from running wild, which should open up opportunities to rush the quarterback. The goal: Make the Vikings one-dimensional and then unleash the pass rushers against Cousins. On offense, Rodgers should go to work against the secondary. In the first meeting, Packers wide receivers produced 315 receiving yards and caught four TD passes. If Rodgers is protected, the Packers will like the matchups in the passing game.
Matchup to watch: Vikings WR Justin Jefferson vs. Packers CB Kevin King. King, in his fourth season, is going to be asked to cover the rookie game-changer.
Who wins? The Packers get big pass plays and drive-ending sacks.
Packers 30-20
– Zach Kruse Packers Wire