Motivation won't be in short supply for the NFC North champion Vikings on Saturday, when they will face a Packers team that was eliminated from playoff contention Monday night when Atlanta beat Tampa Bay.
Vikings nose tackle Linval Joseph wants to see Aaron Rodgers on the field again — more than two months after Anthony Barr's hit broke Rodgers' collarbone. Packers coach Mike McCarthy was noncommittal when asked about sitting Rodgers, who returned Sunday in a loss to the Panthers, if there was no possibility of a postseason.
"I feel like he's going to play," Joseph said. "I feel like he's got something to prove, and I kind of want him to play because it would be more of a challenge."
The Packers, who had less than a 1 percent chance of making the playoffs after Sunday's loss, were officially eliminated from playoff contention Monday night when Atlanta beat Tampa Bay.
The Vikings (11-3) still are playing for a first-round bye and an outside chance at the NFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage. Minnesota can clinch a first-round bye this weekend with a victory and a Panthers loss to the Buccaneers.
Will Rodgers be in Minnesota's way? The former NFL MVP had a banner day one year ago, when the Vikings surrendered 347 passing yards and four touchdowns in a loss at Lambeau Field.
Coach Mike Zimmer said the Vikings are preparing for Rodgers and for Green Bay backup quarterback Brett Hundley.
"We'll assume Rodgers will play," Zimmer said. "It's no different than any other week when you don't know what's going on. And you guys wonder why I never say who the [Vikings] quarterback is."