Sunday NFL Game Of The Week: Green Bay Packers (6-3) vs. Minnesota Vikings (7-2)

It's hard to imagine that just a few short weeks ago the Green Bay Packers had one of the most effective defenses in the NFL. In their first six victories of the season, the Packers stingy defense allowed a mere 16.8 PPG while their relentless offense scored over 27 PPG. However, the once invincible force that was capable of steam rolling over any opponent in their path,has now regressed into a incomprehensibly distraught mess of their former selves. In their last three losses, the Packers have allowed opponents to score 28 PPG while only scoring a meek 18.3 PPG themselves. While the Packers Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde transformation is undoubtedly disturbing, it's hard to imagine that a team that is clearly athletically adept, succumb to their recent shortcomings.

In order for the Packers to return to their former glory, they'll need their prolific passer to step when it matter losses. Despite throwing for over three hundred yards in the Packers last three losses, Aaron Rodgers has been unable to resurrect this teams perseverance that has allowed them to dominate in weeks past. This is also due in part to the Packers lack of a rushing attack as former starter Eddie Lacy has failed to live up to his previous successes as he had over 1,000 rushing yards in his last two seasons. This year, Lacy has only rushed for two touchdowns and just over 300 yards more than half way through the season. This lack of versatility has forced Aaron Rodgers to throw a plethora of passes in an attempt to carry the weight of this now one-dimensional offense (has attempted over 100 passes in his last two games alone). No matter how great of a passer Rodgers is, without a opportunistic defense and a potent rushing attack, he can hardly be expected to right this sinking ship on his own.

For the Vikings, the name of the game is a smash mouth defense (17.1 PAPG, 2nd in NFL) and a unstoppable rushing attack (147.2 RYPG, 1st in NFL). Although Teddy Bridgewater is a dynamic game manager (64.3 CMP%), he lacks the scoring proficiencies of the elite passers in the game (7 TD, 6 INT). This is where the essential production of runnings back Adrian Peterson comes into play for a Vikings team that simply refuses to lose. At 4.9 yards per carry, Peterson has progressively transformed back into the gifted rusher that the Vikings have relied upon as their most gifted and capable player. If the Vikings can combine Peterson's rushing capabilities with Bridgewater's sound decision making skills, this team could come away with a crucial victory that would give them some elbow room at the top of the NFC North.

In the end, the woeful Packers will have to dig deep to beat a red hot Vikings team that has seemingly dominated the competition in recent weeks. If the Packers lose today, it will be blatantly apparent that this team doesn't have what it takes to contend for a division that was once theirs for the taking.  

Final Score: Packers 23 Vikings 20