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Access Vikings morning walkthrough: Vikings playing with right mentality, Zimmer pleased with healthy defense

By Jason Gonzalez

December 29, 2015 at 2:34PM

Every weekday, we walk you through what's going on with the Vikings.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

— Vikings coach Mike Zimmer won't rely on motivational tactics to get his team ready for rival Green Bay this time around. The Vikings know what they need to do to win and have the right mentality.

— Zimmer is excited to have skilled defensive trio Harrison Smith, Linval Joseph and Anthony Barr back on the field.

— The Vikings have rediscovered their pass rush just in time for the postseason push and chance to claim the NFC North title.

— Who should the Vikings fear in the playoffs? Columnist Jim Souhan considers whether the Packers, Redskins or Seahawks would be the toughest first-round opponent.

— The Vikings are in the playoffs, but what's next? Possible playoff scenarios.

— Teddy Bridgewater surpassed 3,000 passing yards last Sunday to become just the second Vikings quarterback to reach this feat in the last 10 seasons.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

— Green Bay's offensive line admits the need to change after struggling to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a 38-8 loss to Arizona.

— The Packers look to live up to the standard and expectations against rival Vikings.

— Rodgers doesn't get much support from his receivers in the embarrassing loss at Arizona.

TODAY'S VIKINGS SCHEDULE

Players have the day off and will be back at Winter Park on Wednesday.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

The Vikings continued their recent success of passing on third down with the help of wide receiver Jarius Wright, who has been a regular target for Bridgewater in these situations throughout the season. Wright had two third-down receptions converted for first downs to extend the Vikings' first two touchdown drives in their 49-17 win over the New York Giants. "I think that Teddy has a good feel for [Wright], but we're designing some plays to get him open on some of those third downs," Zimmer said, "but it's not just third downs that we're trying to get [Wright] the ball. But when we convert third downs, we typically score points and that's shown up the last few weeks."