This Sunday, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will travel to Minneapolis for a NFC North showdown against a Vikings team with a bit of a quarterback quandary. Sam Bradford struggled in Minnesota’s Monday Night Football game against Chicago, and the Vikings finally found some success on offense after benching him in favor of Case Keenum — leaving a question mark at the position heading into Week 6. The teams meet at 1 p.m. ET. on Fox (livestream).
Green Bay sits atop of the NFC North at 4-1, and it's coming off the heels of a 35-31 comeback victory against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5. The Packers average 27.4 points per game, which is tied for sixth-best in the league. Green Bay's offense — led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers — averages 245 passing yards per game, good for 11th in the league.
After the change at QB, Keenum guided three scoring drives in the second half to lead the Vikings past the Bears, 20-17. Since there is a lot of uncertainty on the Vikings' offense, Minnesota may have to depend on its defense to win this game. Minnesota employs the 11th-best defense in the NFL, and this unit played a huge role in the team's win against Chicago.
Green Bay has so many great players on its offense, and Minnesota will have to try and focus on all of them. Even though the Packers' rushing attack is a bit inconsistent, this offense can still move the ball with ease.
Time, TV channel, and streaming info
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minn.
- TV: Fox
- Streaming: Fox Sports Go
- Odds: Green Bay favored by 4
Packers vs. Vikings News
Packers 35, Cowboys 31: Aaron Rodgers strikes gold again in Dallas
Aaron Rodgers set out to work, hitting Davante Adams along the sideline for 14 before finding Martellus Bennett for a catch-and-run of 14 yards of his own. After an incomplete pass, Aaron Jones sprinted on a draw for 15, getting into field goal range. Another incompletion and a two-yard run by Jones set up a third and eight from the 30. Rodgers broke out of the pocket, scrambling for a huge 18-yard gain down to the 12. Two plays later, Rodgers found Adams on a fade to the corner of the end zone for the go-ahead score.
Following a dramatic lateral play, the Packers sealed up the win and moved to 4-1 on the young season.
Will Adrian Peterson’s Trade Affect The Vikings’ 2018 Draft?
Now, while this trade won’t directly affect the Vikings this season. . .barring an unlikely post-season meeting, the Vikings don’t play the Cardinals and they have already beaten the Saints. . .it could potentially affect the Vikings’ 2018 NFL Draft position.
According to the folks from Over the Cap, the Vikings are currently projected to receive two compensatory selections in the 2018 Draft, including one for Peterson. (They are also currently forecast to receive one for the loss of receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.) From what I can gather from asking the OTC folks on the Twitters, as well as from their site, it’s quite possible that it could.
Packers vs. Vikings prediction
This will be a close game, but the Packers will find a way to register their fifth win of the season. Minnesota's defense will play well, but its offense has some question marks, especially at quarterback.