- Kickoff: Noon, Sunday
- Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.
- TV: Fox
- Radio: KFAN 100.3-FM; SiriusXM 385, 820 (Vikings), 228, 811 (Packers)
- Line: Packers by 6½
Back-to-back home losses against the Ravens and Bears wiped out the momentum the Vikings (4-6) had created with a win in Detroit on Nov. 2, and now they’ll play their final NFC North road game of the year in Green Bay, where they’ll be desperate for a win. They’ll face a Packers team (6-3-1) that had also lost two straight at home before beating the Giants on the road last week. Green Bay is dealing with a slate of injuries, including a knee issue for running back Josh Jacobs, that could affect the team’s depth against the Vikings.
Here’s a look at what to expect Sunday in the 130th installment of the rivalry:
The biggest storyline
Are NFC North road games the antidote for the Vikings? The Vikings have won more games in NFC North road venues (2) and as many games in London (1) as they’ve won at U.S. Bank Stadium this season. They’ve also won their last two trips to Lambeau Field, and could get a third straight victory in Green Bay for the first time since 1977. Without a win, the Vikings would be 4-7, and see their playoff hopes grow faint before a trip to Seattle to play their former QB Sam Darnold.
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Vikings offense vs. Packers defense
McCarthy tries to improve connections with receivers at Lambeau: The Vikings have continued to work with J.J. McCarthy on his mechanics, in hopes of improving his accuracy issues. He’ll throw to a group of receivers that will almost exclusively be wearing seven-stud cleats at Lambeau; the Vikings have all but mandated players practice and prepare to play in the longer cleats, which provide more grip on the grass but are often disliked for their weight and reduced agility. It’s why the Vikings worked outdoors all week in the shoes, so players could get comfortable with them. They’ll hope to avoid the slippage that’s plagued players like Justin Jefferson, who fell several times in the Vikings’ Week 17 blowout loss to the Packers in the 2022 season.
Where’s Parsons? The Packers’ August trade for Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons was the kind of move that sent shock waves through the NFL, and the four-time Pro Bowler has transformed the Packers’ defense through 10 games. He’ll line up at right end, but defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley will play him in just about any spot in the Packers’ front seven. The Vikings will get veteran center Ryan Kelly back from the concussion protocol for this one; Kelly’s experience setting protections could be especially important for McCarthy with Parsons roaming on the other side of the ball.
Vikings defense vs. Packers offense
Jacobs’ status a big question: The Packers lost Jacobs to a knee contusion in the middle of their game against the Giants last week, and while the running back said this week he wasn’t giving up on the idea of playing against the Vikings, Green Bay might opt for caution and listed him as questionable. Jacobs is fifth in the NFL with 169 carries this year and ranks second with 11 touchdowns, as the Packers lean on the big back to finish drives and support a passing game that’s struggled without tight end Tucker Kraft. Green Bay hasn’t surpassed 200 passing yards in either of its last two games, and receivers Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden have all been on recent injury reports.
Big difference when Love is pressured: When the Packers keep quarterback Jordan Love clean in the pocket, he’s one of the NFL’s best: He has a 127.5 passer rating in such situations, having completed 82.2% of his passes for 15 touchdowns this year against one interception, according to Pro Football Focus. But when Love is pressured, he’s got a passer rating of just 45.5, having completed only 38.2% of his passes. The Packers lost center Elgton Jenkins for the season to a broken fibula two weeks ago, and tackle Zach Tom is dealing with a back injury. If the Vikings, who picked off Love twice under pressure last September and blitzed him 74% of the time in December, can get after him Sunday, they could make things tough on the Packers QB.
