The Vikings have beaten the Packers only once in the past 11 meetings (1-9-1) heading into the rivalry game on Sunday.
Green Bay has lost three in a row and the Vikings have won five, but clearly Coach Mike Zimmer's message to his players this week was to take it "one game at a time" … a phrase uttered by at least four players in the locker room this morning.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has seen his numbers diminish in the past weeks, and an 18-16 loss to Detroit last Sunday made him seem merely mortal. Vikings defensive end Brian Robison said containing Rodgers in the pocket is crucial.
"You've got to expect the unexpected with him," Robison said. "He has such a knack for moving around the pocket and doing a lot of things with his feet, not so much to create plays running the ball but to really be able to complete the ball downfield with those deep throws. So we have to be really smart in the way we rush him, including everyone being keyed in on where he is at all times."
The Vikings could have rookie MLB Eric Kendricks (ribs) back this week. Zimmer was optimistic Kendricks will play.
Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said the Vikings are practicing with the anticipation Rodgers will extend plays with his feet.
"Coach has already talked to the scout team guys about extending plays," Munnerlyn said. "We've got to stay in coverage, you got to keep your eyes on Rodgers and compete. He's going to throw to his open guys, we know that, so we have to compete on a very high level."
Robison, by the way, was the last Vikings player to sack Brett Favre when Favre played for the Packers and Robison was a rookie in 2007.
