Cory Jennerjohn (@CoryJennerjohn)
The Vikings’ carousel of quarterbacks continues on Sunday night when Christian Ponder makes his first start since Sept. 22. Ponder is looking to get his first win since Dec. 30, 2012 when Minnesota beat Green Bay 37-34 at Mall of America Field. The only way this game is within a touchdown is if Adrian Peterson gets involved. The Vikings have the best pure runner in the game and the last time he had more than 13 rushes was Sept. 29 in London. Aaron Rodgers will slice through the Vikings porous secondary with quick outs, hitches and slants as a way to attack Minnesota’s menacing starting defensive line that has 5.5 sacks.
Packers 34 Vikings 24
John Rehor (@jrehor)
If the Packers defense suddenly reverts to being the 2011 version, this game will be close. With the way they have been playing, this isn’t likely. As a result, this game will barely be a contest. Adrian Peterson may be the best running back in the league, and he will get his share of yards, but it will not matter. Aside from AP, the Vikings offense is a disaster. On offense, Aaron Rodgers and company should have a field day against the Vikings 27th ranked defense. Giving up nearly 300 yards a game through the air, the Vikings will struggle mightily to slow down the green and gold. And for good measure, Eddie Lacy should approach the century mark again as Minnesota gives up over 100 rushing yards a game. The Packers will bid farewell to the Metrodome with one final victory against their rivals to the West.
Packers 34 Vikings 13
Ross Uglem (@RossUglem)
The Packers very much need this win, and the Vikings and their fans have quit on Leslie Frazier. I foresee the Packers and Aaron Rodgers offering an execution-like performance on Sunday. In 2010, the Vikings, with unrealistically high hopes for their season (a lot like this year) were floundering under head coach Brad Childress. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers came in to the Metrodome and delivered a 31-3 drubbing of the Vikings, and Childress was relieved of his duties as head coach. I hate games like this against the Vikings. Unless the Packers win by 3 possessions, it’s essentially a loss in the court of public opinion. If the Packers win a close game, they did “what they were supposed to do” and beat ”bad team.” If they lose, it’s colossally embarrassing, especially considering I live in Minnesota. Fortunately, as currently constructed, the Packers and their newly found rush defense are a terrible matchup for the Vikings, and Green Bay will roll.
Packers 38 Vikings 13
Jacob Westendorf (@JacobWestendorf)
The Packers are in prime position to take hold of this division. With Detroit still inconsistent, Jay Cutler injured, and the Vikings an absolute mess these next two games could give the Packers a large cushion as they start to get healthy. The Packers will get Casey Hayward, and potentially Nick Perry back for this game which should bolster a defense that is already playing well. With James Jones, and now Jermichael Finley down the offense will have to be efficient and get a big time performance from Jarrett Boykin or Myles White once again. The Vikings are going to play this game like it is their Super Bowl, but at the end of the day with each team both in disarray for different reasons, the Packers have Aaron Rodgers and the Vikings have Christian Ponder. Expect the Packers to win a close one in the final game at Mall of America Field.
Packers 27 Vikings 21
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John Rehor is a writer at PackersTalk.com.
He can also be heard as one of the Co-Hosts of Cheesehead Radio. ---------------------
