5 keys to victory: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers in week 16

Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and forces a fumble in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) and forces a fumble in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (21) catches a pass against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (21) catches a pass against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

#3. Run the football

Another week of keys to victory means another week of beating the dead horse that we call the Minnesota Vikings running game. It has actually become more of a joke than a concern over the weeks, which is never good.

There were hopes that the return of Adrian Peterson could be the spark the team needed to finally get the ground game going, but that was just a pipe dream. When Adrian was in the game, he was just as ineffective behind the Vikings offensive line as the other running backs.

Now, for even more bad news. The Packers only allow an average of 4 yards per carry, which is the 11th best in the NFL. They average giving up 96.1 yards per game on the ground, but it would be surprising to see the team reach that mark.

Instead, the team may need to rely on the running game to help control the tempo of the game and pick up first downs. Without that contribution, moving the ball efficiently will be a major challenge for the team.

Schedule