game 12
VIKINGS
VS. GREEN BAY
noon Sunday
Lambeau Field
TV: Ch. 9
(100.3-FM, 1130-AM)
Line: Packers by 9
ABOUT GREEN BAY
RECORD: 7-4
The Packers had a five-game winning streak broken by the New York Giants on Sunday.
Green Bay, one game behind Chicago in the NFC North, has won a franchise-record nine consecutive games vs. division foes. Good news for the Packers, considering four of their final five games are within the division.
This is the latest the two teams have met for the first time in a season.
Green Bay has won 17 of its past 18 games at Lambeau Field.
The Packers' 34 sacks are the most through 11 games since 2006.
PLAYER TALK QUARTERBACK AARON RODGERS
Rodgers has a career passer rating of 110.1 in divisional games, the best by a QB in league history since the NFL went to a divisional format in 1967. He has 53 TDs and 14 interceptions in that time.
On Jared Allen, who has 13 sacks vs. Green Bay (12.5 of Rodgers). "Just have a ton of respect for Jared. It's funny to think about my first start in '08. Playing against him was a battle. ... A lot of back and forth going on. And there is still some, on the field."
On the return of WR Greg Jennings: "We definitely missed him this season and his production and just his presence out there on the field. So it will be good to get him back this week."
On coming off a one-sided loss to the Giants: "Hopefully it is going to get us refocused on the last five games."
COACH SPEAK
MIKE McCARTHY
McCarthy's .652 winning percentage (including playoffs) is fourth best among active coaches with 50 or more games.
On similarities with Super Bowl season of 2010: "It compares just because players and coaches have done a good job of staying above [the injuries]. You just keep going and it's not an issue as far as your approach."
On the team's home-grown approach to developing talent: "That's the only way to go, start with young players and develop 'em. That's our philosophy in our time together, [Packers GM] Ted Thompson and I."
KENT YOUNGBLOOD