Packers at Vikings
THE STORY: The Green Bay Packers are the league's last unbeaten team thanks in large part to Aaron Rodgers, who's arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings, on the other hand, are about to find out if they have their franchise quarterback. Rookie Christian Ponder will make his first NFL start at home Sunday against Rodgers and the defending Super Bowl champion Packers, who seek a franchise record 13th straight win. The Packers are looking for their first 7-0 start since 1962, while the Vikings are hoping to avoid their worst start since 1990. Green Bay has won the last two meetings.
TV: FOX, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Green Bay - 9, O/U 46.5
ABOUT THE PACKERS (6-0): With a win Sunday, the Packers would eclipse the franchise record of 12 straight wins, which was set under Vince Lombardi from 1961-62. Rodgers, who leads the NFL in touchdown passes (17) and completion percentage (70.2), is the first quarterback to have a rating of at least 110 in each of the first six games. He threw three touchdowns – including a career-long 93-yard score to Jordy Nelson – in last week’s 24-3 win over St. Louis. Marshall Newhouse will be in charge of protecting Rodgers’ blind side for a second straight game with LT Chad Clifton (hamstring) out indefinitely. He’ll be up against NFL sack leader Jared Allen (10).
ABOUT THE VIKINGS (1-5): The Vikings’ front office thought Donovan McNabb could be a stop-gap to give Ponder, the 12th overall pick, time to develop. McNabb, however, has been horrendous. The 13-year veteran is 29th in touchdowns (4) and 19th in completion percentage (60.3). He was finally benched in Sunday night's 39-10 loss to Chicago. Ponder went 9-for-17 for 99 yards after replacing McNabb in the fourth quarter and was named the starting quarterback Wednesday. The switch should help Adrian Peterson (537 yards, 7 TDs), who was held to 39 yards on 17 carries against Chicago. Ponder’s elusiveness may come in handy if LT Phil Loadholt (knee) and C John Sullivan (concussion) can’t play.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Packers TE Jermichael Finley missed both games against Minnesota last season. He had six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in 2009.
2. "I know I have a lot of football in me," McNabb in response to his benching.
3. Rodgers threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns in the last meeting on Nov. 21, 2010.