Sep 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) looks to throw a pass during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The 1-5 Minnesota Vikings host the 4-2 Green Bay Packers, Sunday, October 27. Kick-off is at 7:30 PM CDT from Mall of America Field at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game will be televised nationally on NBC.
Point Spread: Green Bay -9
Over/Under: 47
Injury Report:
Minnesota
| Matt Asiata | RB | Shoulder | Did Not Participate In Practice | Out |
| Rhett Ellison | TE | Ankle | Did Not Participate In Practice | Out |
| Sharrif Floyd | DT | Back | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Adrian Peterson | RB | Hamstring | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Fred Evans | DT | Knee | Did Not Participate In Practice | Questionable |
| Josh Freeman | QB | Concussion | Limited Participation in Practice | Out |
| Matt Kalil | T | Back | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Blair Walsh | K | left Hamstring | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Chad Greenway | LB | Wrist | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Rodney Smith | WR | Hip | Did Not Participate In Practice | Out |
| Kevin Williams | DT | Knee | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Jared Allen | DE | Ankle | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| A.J. Jefferson | CB | Ankle | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Jamarca Sanford | S | Ankle | Limited Participation in Practice | Questionable |
Green Bay
| Brad Jones | LB | Hamstring | Limited Participation in Practice | Questionable |
| James Jones | WR | Knee | Did Not Participate In Practice | Doubtful |
| Jermichael Finley | TE | Neck | Out (Definitely Will Not Play) | Out |
| Ryan Taylor | TE | Knee | Did Not Participate In Practice | Out |
| Jarrett Bush | CB | Hamstring | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Nick Perry | LB | Foot | Limited Participation in Practice | Questionable |
| Clay Matthews | LB | Thumb | Out (Definitely Will Not Play) | Out |
| Casey Hayward | CB | Hamstring | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| James Starks | RB | Knee | Full Participation in Practice | Probable |
| Jerron McMillian | S | Not Injury Related | Did Not Participate In Practice | Probable |
Preview
The Vikings are in free fall after a second straight horrible offensive game. Josh Freeman struggled mightily in his first start Monday night vs. the Giants but was rescued from further immediate carnage by the mid-week appearance of concussion symptoms. With Freeman sidelined, Christian Ponder steps back into the lion’s cage, now a month removed from his last start. The only Viking QB with a win under his belt this year, Matt Cassel, is relegated to backup status for this week.
Minnesota’s once-vaunted run game finds itself floundering, with Adrian Peterson struggling to find consistency. Peterson has been dogged by a tight hamstring all season and appears to have lost some aggressiveness. Coach Leslie Frazier promises a return to the physical style of 2012, but with the offensive line also struggling, it’s hard to see the playoff form of last year being revived.
Defensively, the Vikings got somewhat on-track vs. the Giants and their erratic pass offense. This week they will face a Packer offense that has finally discovered a long sought-after balance, thanks in part to the emergence of running back Eddie Lacy. Aaron Rodgers remains the focal point of the offense however, and the key will still be pressuring the Packers’ All-World QB. Without pressure in his face, Rodgers should have no trouble picking apart the Vikings’ miserable secondary.
The Packers defensively are without Clay Matthews, but they feature some solid defensive linemen including the now-returned Johnny Jolly, and have gotten fine interior linebacker play from a slimmed-down A.J. Hawk. Adrian Peterson gashed the Packers’ defense in two regular season meetings last year but this seems to be a more stout team against the run. The Vikings won’t be able to just hand it to Adrian 25 times and expect him to tear apart the Packers; they will need a significant contribution from Christian Ponder and their receivers. Can Ponder find some rhythm in his return to the lineup? Can the O-line rebound from a bad performance vs. the Giants?
Prediction: Packers 35, Vikings 13
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