Packers-Vikings Preview

SCOUTING REPORT

Jennings, Driver will be too much for struggling Vikings secondaryThis week's matchup between the Packers and Vikings has huge implications going into the second half of the season. This NFC North division is up for grabs, and both clubs need a victory to keep pace with the Bears. The Packers are coming off a tough loss in Week 9, while the Vikings have won three of their past four contests. This should be a hard-nosed battle between two solid defenses and contrasting offensive philosophies. Look for a few new wrinkles from both clubs because there is no reason to leave anything to chance moving toward the stretch run.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
GNB	6-10	419	380	4-4	2-6	4-2	5-7
MIN	10-6	379	333	6-2	4-4	4-2	8-4
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Green Bay Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Rodger... 64.7 4434 30 7 Flynn 58.3 58 0 1

Minnesota Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Favre 68.4 4202 33 7 Jackso... 66.7 201 1 0

Green Bay Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Grant 282 1253 4.4 11 Rodger... 58 316 5.4 5

Minnesota Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Peters... 314 1383 4.4 18 Taylor 94 338 3.6 1

Green Bay Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Jennin... 68 1113 16.4 4 Driver 70 1061 15.2 6

Minnesota Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Rice 83 1312 15.8 8 Harvin 60 790 13.2 6

Full Player Stats: Green Bay | Minnesota

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	GNB	351.0
	MIN	331.0
Yards Passing	GNB	238.3
	MIN	184.8
Yards Rushing	GNB	112.8
	MIN	146.1
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	GNB	334.3
	MIN	292.4
Pass Yds Allowed	GNB	202.8
	MIN	215.6
Rush Yds Allowed	GNB	131.6
	MIN	76.9

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Green Bay leads 10-7
Sep 8, 2008	GNB 24, @MIN 19
Nov 11, 2007	GNB 34, @MIN 0
Sep 30, 2007	GNB 23, MIN 16
Dec 21, 2006	GNB 9, @MIN 7
Nov 12, 2006	GNB 23, MIN 17
Nov 21, 2005	GNB 17, @MIN 20
Oct 23, 2005	GNB 20, MIN 23
Jan 9, 2005	GNB 17, @MIN 31
Dec 24, 2004	GNB 34, MIN 31
Nov 14, 2004	GNB 34, @MIN 31
Nov 2, 2003	GNB 30, MIN 27
Sep 7, 2003	GNB 25, @MIN 30
Dec 8, 2002	GNB 26, @MIN 22
Nov 17, 2002	GNB 21, MIN 31
Dec 30, 2001	GNB 24, @MIN 13
Oct 21, 2001	GNB 13, MIN 35

The Aaron Rodgers era in Green Bay got off to an encouraging start with a win over Minnesota in the season opener, but the Packers have struggled to find their rhythm since.

The Vikings have managed to turn around a disappointing start to the year thanks to the play of 15-year veteran Gus Frerotte.

In an important NFC North matchup, Rodgers and the Packers try to bounce back from a tough loss Sunday when they visit Frerotte and the Vikings.

Rodgers made his first career start against Minnesota on Sept. 8 and completed 18 of 22 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown to lead Green Bay to a 24-19 victory. Rodgers threw four TD passes and no interceptions in helping the Packers win their first two games, but they've since dropped four of six.

Minnesota did not get off to a strong start like Green Bay as it opened the season with consecutive losses, but the Vikings have won four of six since Frerotte took over as the starter for Tarvaris Jackson.

Minnesota (4-4) and Green Bay (4-4) are one game behind NFC North-leading Chicago.

The Packers lost 19-16 in overtime to unbeaten Tennessee last Sunday as they failed to make big plays. Green Bay gained 390 yards, but the offense slowed once it got into the red zone, settling for one touchdown and three field goals in four trips.

"We felt confident playing Tennessee," Rodgers said. "We just didn't execute as well as I know coach (Mike McCarthy) would have wanted us to. We're going to go back to the basics this week and have a good week of practice. We realize this is a big game coming up."

Rodgers was 22-of-41 for 314 yards and a touchdown against the Titans, but also threw an interception and fumbled once. Rodgers was under pressure most of the game, getting sacked four times, and he will face another stingy defense this week.

The Vikings, who have 21 sacks and have forced 14 turnovers on the season, had five sacks and three takeaways in last Sunday's 28-21 victory over Houston.

Minnesota's defensive line could be short-handed, though, as defensive end Jared Allen, who has five sacks in the last three games, is nursing a sprained right shoulder and is listed as doubtful. He was also fined $50,000 by the league Friday for two below-the-knee hits on Texans quarterback Matt Schaub.

While the Vikings' defense had a strong outing against the Texans, Frerotte had his best game of the season.

Frerotte threw a season-high three touchdown passes and appears to be gaining confidence since being named the starter before Minnesota's 20-10 win over Carolina in Week 3. In his six starts, Frerotte has thrown four touchdown passes each to Bernard Berrian and Visanthe Shiancoe.

"I think he's getting a lot more comfortable in our offense, a lot more comfortable with the plays that are called," wide receiver Bobby Wade said. "I think he's doing a lot more before the game that allows us to give ourselves the best chance to win."

In addition to the emergence of Frerotte, Minnesota still has one of the league's biggest offensive threats in running back Adrian Peterson.

The 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year finished with 139 yards on 25 carries last Sunday. He has rushed for 371 yards and three touchdowns in his last three games after running for 189 yards and two TDs in his previous three.

Peterson had little trouble running against Green Bay in Week 1, compiling 103 yards on 19 carries. In three career games versus the Packers, Peterson has run for 260 yards on 42 attempts.

One of Green Bay's biggest problems has been its run defense, which gave up 178 yards last Sunday. The Packers have the sixth-worst rush defense in the league, allowing 146.4 yards per game.

"Our goal is to be consistent on every single snap," Green Bay defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said. "And when you're not stopping the run like you'd think you'd like to or you'd know that you're capable of doing, certainly it's frustrating."

Peterson has been his best at home, rushing for 487 yards on 96 carries in four games at the Metrodome with Minnesota winning three of those contests.

The Vikings don't own the same home-field advantage over the Packers, though, losing four of the last five meetings at the Metrodome after winning nine of the previous 11 there.

Green Bay has won five straight overall against the Vikings and is looking to take six in a row for the first time since the first six meetings in the series from 1961-63.

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