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The Call: Green Bay at Vikings

By Matt Vensel

September 18, 2016 at 4:45AM

Festivities outside U.S. Bank Stadium will start at 3 p.m. Sunday, and the stadium will open at 5 p.m. Jordin Sparks will sing the national anthem, and the Minnesota Orchestra will perform at halftime. The team also will honor Prince and welcome more than 20 Vikings alumni. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Packers march into town with former MVP Aaron Rodgers at QB. The Vikings, meanwhile, had to pick between a passer who has yet to play for them and a career backup. In a showdown of otherwise evenly matched border rivals, that's a big deal. Prediction: Green Bay 17, Vikings 15

Three big story lines

TIME FOR BRADFORD?

Coach Mike Zimmer again kept his QB choice quiet all week, but it would be a surprise if it is Shaun Hill. The Vikings dealt for Sam Bradford because they didn't believe Hill could consistently win games like this one.

BREAKING IN THE BANK

The Vikings will officially unveil U.S. Bank Stadium in prime time. Vikings fans pumped the decibel level up to 114 in the preseason. If they get even louder, they can disrupt Rodgers.

KICKING CONUNDRUM

Blair Walsh is still the kicker after missing a pair of field goals, including a 37-yarder, and an extra point in a 25-16 win over the Titans. But what happens if he has a costly miss Sunday?

Two key matchups

LT MATT KALIL vs. PACKERS OLB CLAY MATTHEWS

After misusing Matthews as a middle linebacker the past two seasons, the Packers moved him back to the edge, where he can use his quicks to cause problems for Kalil or backup T.J. Clemmings.

CB TRAE WAYNES vs. PACKERS WR JORDY NELSON

With top CB Xavier Rhodes already ruled out, Waynes will have to be an every-down defender. The Packers will surely look to attack the youngster with Nelson, who is back after missing all of 2015.

One stat that matters
8-1 Rodgers' touchdown-to-interception differential in four starts vs. Zimmer's Vikings.

The Vikings will win if…

• The D keeps Rodgers under wraps like it did in the first half at Lambeau last season.

• Adrian Peterson gets going and the QB makes some throws.

The Packers will win if…

• They run the D ragged like they did in the second half at Lambeau last season.

• AP gets stuffed and the QB has to try to outplay Rodgers.

Vensel's win probability

45%