Game Thread: Pack at Queens

[MickeyDavis]

Beat these bastards, take a firm hold on the division. From the JS:

When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Where: Metrodome. TV: NBC. Radio: AM-620.

Series: Packers lead, 55-49-1 (.529). Line: Packers by 9. Surface: Sportexe Momentum.

Coaches: Green Bay's Mike McCarthy (84-44, .656) vs. Minnesota's Leslie Frazier (17-28, .378).

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

MEN UPFRONT: The Vikings' offensive line is coming off a terrible performance Monday night in which the New York Giants piled up 13 quarterback hits and held Adrian Peterson to 28 yards in 13 carries. "They weren't very physical," an executive in personnel said. "The offensive line didn't take it to them. The quarterback (Josh Freeman) did a good job evading or it could have been a lot worse. It looked like that line played with hesitation. They weren't used to hearing the guy calling the plays, then you're on the road. I think they'll play better at home. The offensive line wasn't as aggressive, but they probably weren't getting off the snap count the way they usually do. It's still a good group. I wouldn't say they're a bad group. They didn't play physical, but they weren't confident in what they were hearing." Now the unit will be reunited with Christian Ponder, who is back in the saddle for the injured Freeman.

MAJOR THREAT: Rookie WR Cordarrelle Patterson, the NFL's leader in kickoff-return average at 36.5, reminded one special-teams coach of former Kansas City returner Tamarick Vanover from the mid to late 1990s. "Dez Bryant is a big man, but he isn't the same kind of runner," the coach said. "Dez is kind of a back-and-forth guy. Patterson is more like Vanover, a big guy that can run. He's scary. He is an athletic specimen. He can run over you or make you miss." The Vikings' special teams are coached by Mike Priefer, one of the coaches interviewed by Mike McCarthy before he promoted Shawn Slocum in 2009. Priefer's father, Chuck, coached the Packers' special teams in 1984-'85 before going on to a long and successful career in Detroit. "Mike's like his dad," the coach said. "Very detailed and gets better every year. Mike Priefer essentially is still running the old four-man wedge (on kickoff returns) except they're running it two by two. Not very many people are running that kind of scheme anymore. So when they get everybody caved in inside and they got those four big guys running outside to kick out, I'll tell you what now, you better know what you're doing on kickoff cover or you're going to be in trouble." The key is for Tim Masthay to kick off out of the end zone.

TOP WEAPONS: When the Vikings played the Packers twice in the span of six days late last season, one of their starting wide receivers was Michael Jenkins. He has been on the street since being cut Aug. 15 by New England. Former Packer Greg Jennings replaced him. "He's done pretty well," an NFC scout said. "If the quarterbacks had more accuracy he could have been better numbers-wise. He catches the ball. He's a good football player." Added another NFC scout: "He looks kind of one-speed. I'm not sure he's the same guy that the Packers had." Ponder's leading target was TE Kyle Rudolph. "He is productive in the pass game," said a defensive assistant for a recent Vikings opponent. "Not that fast of a guy. He has a knack for getting open and making plays. Just an OK run blocker. He's functional."

FIRST-ROUND PICKS: The Vikings traded up in the first round to take Patterson at No. 29. Previously, they took DT Sharrif Floyd at No. 23 and CB Xavier Rhodes at No. 25. All three are situational substitutes. "Floyd hasn't done much," one scout said. "He's a small guy, and small DTs have problems in the NFL. Short arms." Rhodes plays left cornerback in sub defenses. "He's a work in progress," the scout said. "He's strictly a press guy. Hakeem Nicks beat him a couple times (Monday night). He's good in run support, but he's a work in progress in coverage." Patterson has been used off the bench on hitches and reverses. "They're trying to get the ball to him quick and let him make plays with his feet," another scout said. "That's what you get with first-step quickness and burst."

NOT DOING JOB: The Vikings were in good shape outside last season when LT Matt Kalil, the fourth pick in the 2012 draft, played well and RT Phil Loadholt had one of his better seasons. But Kalil and Loadholt have struggled in the first six games. "It's pretty obvious that there's too many people going by him," one scout said, referring to Kalil. "A year ago it didn't happen. I don't know what it is." Added the defensive coach: "He's got good feet and very good balance. Right now he's still got some growing up to do. He can be exposed if you're one-dimensional. If you can run the ball it helps him and keeps the pressure off him. He'll still be a really good player." Loadholt, a starter shortly after being drafted in the second round in 2009, is back to his inconsistent form of 2011. "Big, massive guy," the coach said. "High-cut guy. Struggles with people moving, forcing him to be an athlete. Struggles with stunts and inside moves."

Bob McGinn

VIEWS OF THE GAME

BOB McGINN

Packers beat reporter

This will be the 10th time since 1995 that the Packers have gone to the Metrodome as the favorite. They're 4-5 straight up and 3-6 against the spread. It's a make-a-stand moment for the Vikings, and with Christian Ponder back under center they should have a spark. The Packers are catching them at the wrong time.

TOM SILVERSTEIN

Packers beat reporter

The Vikings are in desperation mode and it's fair to expect them to give the Packers everything they've got. The Packers have to wear them down with their running game and protect their young tackles from being abused. That's the recipe for victory.

Packers 27, Vikings 14.

TYLER DUNNE

Packers beat reporter

Minnesota has played Green Bay tough at home the last two seasons — that won't change in this Metrodome farewell. Underachievers all season, the Vikings do have talent and an improved receiving corps. But Eddie Lacy is a player the Vikings also haven't had to deal with in this rivalry.

Packers 31, Vikings 23.

LORI NICKEL

Packers beat reporter

It would be nice to see Adrian Peterson play for a championship-contending team, but how many quarterbacks has the man had to work with to try to get there?

Packers 31, Vikings 13.

MICHAEL HUNT

Columnist

Yes, strange things do happen at the Metrodome, but the fact the Vikings are as bad as any team in the league right now trumps rivalry happenstance.

Packers 34, Vikings 17.

JEFF MAILLET

Packer Plus editor

Is the Metrodome roof collapsing again? If you're a Vikings fan, it sure feels like it. Green Bay's last game Sunday night in the archaic structure won't be as thrilling as 2012's regular-season finale.

Packers 35, Vikings 17.

[Turk Nowitzki]

I think it's going to be a bit closer than everyone expects. Ponder sucks but he's at least capable of running their offense. I'll say we win 27-17.

[LittleRooster]

I'm in Minnesota and I'll be there to cheer on this beat down

[Mags FTW]

I have a bad feeling about this game.

[ReasonablySober]

I think the Packers destroy them.

[LUKE23]

Expecting a close game.

[JayMKE]

i expect the Packers to blow these turds out

canceling your worrying out

[H2tObes]

I think we smash them.

[Matches Malone]

Hope we shutout Jennings and crush these turd burgers. 31-10 Packers

[Ayt]

I think the Packers destroy them.

Same.

[Godgers]

I hope Boykins has another big game.

[Aaron It Out]

I hope Boykins has another big game.

I don't think this game is close. Vikings are horribad. 27-9.

[MadCityBucky]

List of players out for the game

LB Nick Perry
LB Brad Jones
WR James Jones
LB Clay Matthews
CB James Nixon
TE Ryan Taylor
TE Jermichael Finley

[jimmybones]

Tonight I root against AP not only as a Packers fan, but as a fantasy owner desperate for a win.

[PkrsBcksGphsMqt]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSPNQ82Sq4E[/youtube]

[KidA24]

I'm sick of the discount double check commercials already tonight, and I just turned on the tv 15 minutes ago.

ETA: Also, that might've been the most useless interview I've ever seen between Costas and Rodgers.

[giraldo5]

I'm sick of the discount double check commercials already tonight, and I just turned on the tv 15 minutes ago.

ETA: Also, that might've been the most useless interview I've ever seen between Costas and Rodgers.

Costas is god awful. The day he retires will be a great day.

[Marley2Hendrix]

I'm sick of the discount double check commercials already tonight, and I just turned on the tv 15 minutes ago.

ETA: Also, that might've been the most useless interview I've ever seen between Costas and Rodgers.

Costas is god awful. The day he retires will be a great day.

He's just waiting for the Hobbit trilogy to be completed so he can return to the shire. It'll happen soon enough. Joe Buck/Troy on the other hand...

[BigDee]

Let's go Packers!

[GB_Packers]

Waiting for our D to get some credit instead of the usual "winning because of Rodgers" stuff. No doubt about it he's a huge reason, but it's about time the D gets credit too.