Vikings at Packers
The roles have reversed dramatically since a Week 2 meeting between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, who have seen their respective playoff chances spin in wildly different directions. The surging Packers remain in the hunt for the NFC North title and have an outside shot at clinching a postseason berth when they go for their fifth straight victory against visiting Minnesota on Saturday.
The four-game winning streak, coming on the heels of a four-game skid, has Green Bay in control of its playoff destiny. The Packers currently hold the No. 6 postseason slot but will win the NFC North by beating the skidding Vikings and winning at division-leading Detroit in Week 17. Since its 5-0 start to the season, Minnesota has dropped seven of nine, including a 34-6 mauling at home by Indianapolis, and will have to leapfrog three teams to reach the playoffs. "It's almost frustrating to the point where you want to break everything in sight," Vikings offensive lineman Alex Boone said of the team's spiral.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Packers -6.5. O/U: 43
ABOUT THE VIKINGS (7-7): Running back Adrian Peterson returned to the lineup for the first time since Week 2, but he saw sparse action (six carries, 22 yards) after Minnesota fell into a 27-point hole at halftime against Indianapolis. Peterson did not practice Wednesday due to knee/groin injuries and was unsure if he will be ready to play against Green Bay, saying he's taking things "day by day." Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who has been limited to five receptions the past two weeks after hauling in 40 catches in the previous four games, also missed Wednesday's practice with an ailing hip. Quarterback Sam Bradford has more than one TD pass in only three of 13 games, but one was against Green Bay in his season debut. Minnesota's defense gave up 411 yards and allowed the Colts to hold the ball for 37 minutes.
ABOUT THE PACKERS (8-6-0): Green Bay's chances of making the playoffs appeared to be a pipe dream after surrendering 153 points during a four-game losing streak to fall to 4-6. Among the reasons for the defense's turnaround is the play of safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who intercepted a pair of passes in Sunday's 30-27 victory at Chicago to earn NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has 10 touchdown passes and zero interceptions in the last five games, practiced fully Wednesday after sitting out all last week due to a calf injury. Converted wide receiver Ty Montgomery has provided a spark for a dormant ground game, rushing for 162 yards and two touchdowns on only 16 carries while adding four catches for 57 yards last week.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Rodgers has thrown for 1,565 yards with 14 TDs and four interceptions in the last 10 home games versus Minnesota.
2. Diggs had nine receptions for a career-best 182 yards and a TD in the Week 2 win over the Packers.
3. Minnesota won at Green Bay 20-13 in Week 17 last season to claim the NFC North title.