WEEK 5: 7:40 p.m. AT GREEN BAY • CH. 4, NFL NETWORK (100.3-FM, 1130-AM)
27
PACKERS
20
VIKINGS
One man's prediction: Thursday night, the Vikings will step onto the not-so-frozen tundra at Lambeau Field, a venue at which they haven't been victorious since Brett Favre was their quarterback. The good news is they are coming off one of their most productive offensive games ever. The bad news is rookie triggerman Teddy Bridgewater has been hobbled by a sprained ankle. Advantage Packers, especially on a short week.
Three keys
WILL TEDDY TOUGH IT OUT?
With 317 passing yards, his first NFL touchdown and 558 yards of total offense for the Vikings, Bridgewater could not have been much better in his first NFL start. The only negative — and it was a big one — was the injury to his left ankle that made him mostly a spectator in practice this week. The guess here is that Bridgewater gives it a go. But can he be effective enough to win another shootout?
PACKERS OFFENSE ON A ROLL
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers did not eclipse 500 total yards — or even 400 for that matter — in their Week 4 victory over the Bears, but they pulled off a more impressive feat. They did not punt once in their 21-point win. Five drives resulted in touchdowns and two others ended with field-goal attempts. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer's defense must find a way to cool them off quickly.
RB COMMITTEE PAYING OFF
It took the Vikings two games to find a groove on the ground after losing Adrian Peterson. But against the Falcons, they took advantage of one of the league's leakiest run defenses to pile up 241 rushing yards. Matt Asiata got it done at the goal line with three touchdowns, and rookie Jerick McKinnon had a game-high 135 rushing yards. Look for the same tag-team approach against the Packers.
Player to watch
RANDALL COBB
Cobb is not physically imposing like NFC North wideouts Calvin Johnson, Alshon Jeffery and Packers teammate Jordy Nelson, but the shifty slot receiver is tied for the NFL lead with five touchdown catches. A major threat after the catch, Cobb could prove to be a difficult cover for cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, who has had trouble sticking with slot receivers so far this season.
