If Green Bay’s offense battled extreme heat and opening-game communication problems in Jacksonville, wait until the Packers get to Minnesota. The Packers were unbeaten in the previous six games (5-0-1), stretching back to their 24-10 knockout of Minnesota in the wild-card round of the playoffs at Lambeau Field during the 2012 season. But Green Bay played a Minnesota team long before that – the Duluth Kelleys/Eskimos in the 1920’s.
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Minnesota has won 50 and tied twice. While Bradford went 0-2 against the Packers with the Rams, a game Hill set career highs with 54 pass attempts and 34 completions in throwing for 331 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in Green Bay’s narrow win over the Detroit Lions in 2010. Zimmer says the Vikes need to win a few more games against the Pack.
“Well, I got some new shoes this year for the indoor (games) from Adidas”, Rodgers said Wednesday. And, after starting longtime journeyman Shaun Hill in that game, coach Mike Zimmer is leaving the Packers’ guessing on whether it will be Hill or recently acquired Sam Bradford behind center Sunday. On the ensuing play, Casey blew past Vikings guard Alex Boone to drop Peterson behind the line. Rodgers will have to keep an eye on him as much as any other defender.
Regardless of who starts at quarterback for Minnesota, the offense will run through running back Adrian Peterson. His longest carry was a 9-yarder against a 3-4 defense that used several eight- and nine-man fronts to stop Peterson.
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks Shaun Hill (13) and Sam Bradford (8) warm up prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium.
When it comes to U.S. Bank Stadium the term “Home Field Advantage” will be redefined in Minnesota.
It’ll also be the 112th time these two teams have met.
Asute draft picks in recent years are coming into their own, safety Harrison Smith, linebacker Anthony Barr and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd. Banjo and Elliott, who have hamstring injuries, were inactive last week. Questionable: T Matt Kalil (hip).
“Green Bay is an awfully good team”.
Peterson has played his best games against the Packers, who are sure to study how the Titans corralled the future Hall of Famer.
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Shields, who sustained a concussion in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s game at Jacksonville, had been listed as doubtful on Friday, but coach Mike McCarthy said his top cornerback would undergo another evaluation Saturday. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila has the team record, with 74.5. The rivalry first began in 1961, the first year the Vikings played in the NFL.
