The Green Bay Packers find themselves in the midst of a woeful three-game slide. To break out of it, they must defeat the division-leading Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium.
Packers vs. Vikings 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
The Packers and Vikings face off for NFC North supremacy.
Three weeks ago, the Packers owned a perfect 6-0 record and appeared to be the frontrunner to win the conference. Even after back-to-back losses to the undefeated Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, they still looked like a viable threat. However, that perception changed drastically after Green Bay failed to top a 1-7 Detroit Lions team at Lambeau Field, losing its first game to the Lions in the state of Wisconsin since 1991.
The Packers' offense resembles little of the unit that led the NFL in scoring a year ago. Without Jordy Nelson, the receiving corps has struggled to create separation or take the top off opposing defenses. Meanwhile, reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers suddenly lacks the accuracy that made him one of the league's premier players. The struggles of the passing game have impacted the ground attack as well. Eddie Lacy was benched for last Sunday's game, his first deactivation since Week 3 of his rookie year. If Green Bay can't correct its offense quickly, the team risks ending a six-year run of postseason appearances.
The narrative is quite different in the Twin Cities, where the Vikings just pulled off their first signature win of the season. They took down a trendy Oakland Raiders team on the road, 30-14. Head coach Mike Zimmer has the defense playing its best ball in years. The highlight of the game was 37-year-old cornerback Terence Newman intercepting Derek Carr two times and nearly adding a third midway through the game. Meanwhile, the defensive line generated two sacks against the best pass-protecting offensive line in the league.
Minnesota's offense also got rolling during the Oakland game. Superstar running back Adrian Peterson posted 123 yards on 25 carries before an 80-yard touchdown boosted his stat line to superhuman levels. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater didn't make any huge plays, but he kept the offense on the field by avoiding turnovers and moving the sticks. Bridgewater may need to reach beyond his comfort zone against Green Bay, but his penchant for limiting mistakes should serve him well come Sunday.
For the Packers, a win over Minnesota would allow them to move back into first place in the NFC North and get their season on track. The team faces only division opponents for the next three games and it could realistically begin its final stretch of the season at 9-3.
On the flip side, a win for the Vikings is crucial given their remaining schedule. After Week 11, the only opponent with a sub-.500 record Minnesota plays over the next month is the Seattle Seahawks, a team that many believe will still qualify for the playoffs. Accordingly, the Vikings need to secure a win over the Packers as a buffer in case they drop multiple games soon thereafter.
At 7-2, the Vikings hold a one-game lead over the Packers in the NFC North. The two teams will meet again during the final week of the regular season.
How to watch
When: 4:25 p.m. ET
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: FOX
Commentators: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews
Online: Verizon NFL Mobile
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