EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. –The Packers offense has been firing on all cylinders, and the Vikings need to find a way to slow them down.
After starting the season 4-6, Green Bay has now won its past four games.
Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday via conference call that a key component to the team's recent success is taking care of the football.
"We're plus-10 [in turnover ratio] just in the last two weeks, something we haven't been very good with all year," McCarthy told Twin Cities media members. "It's something we've always taken a lot of pride in and spent a lot of time and commitment to. To me, that's the biggest improvement on our football team."
The Vikings have won the Border Battle twice in a row now – last season at Lambeau in Week 17 and in Week 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium this season. In both games, the Vikings capitalized on multiple Green Bay turnovers.
At Lambeau on Jan. 3, Everson Griffen forced an Aaron Rodgers fumble that was then recovered and returned for a touchdown by Captain Munnerlyn. With two minutes remaining in the game, Xavier Rhodes intercepted Rodgers to return possession to the Vikings and seal the win and division title.
On Sept. 18, Green Bay committed two fourth-quarter turnovers. Rodgers once again lost the ball after a sack by Brian Robison, and Shamar Stephen recovered for Minnesota. Inside the two-minute mark, Trae Waynes snagged a pick.
In the 12 games since, the Packers have lost seven fumbles, their last being on Dec. 4, and Rodgers has thrown six interceptions. The 12-year quarterback has not thrown a pick since Nov. 13, however.
"It's going to come down to the end of the game there [at Lambeau], and we have to be good in situational football – at the end of the half, at the end of the game, in the two-minute and four-minute situations," Robison said of the upcoming game. "We've got to take care of the ball, and we've got to create turnovers."
Robison said it will be key to not allow Rodgers ample time in the pocket.
"We also can't let him get outside of the pocket," Robison said. "So we've got to be smart in the way we rush him, and we've got to control their running game. If we're able to do those things, it gives us the best chance to win."
The Vikings know they are prepping for a different Packers team than they defeated in Week 2. Captain Munnerlyn said Tuesday that the Packers have gotten back into a rhythm at the right time of the season.
"Playing teams early in the year, especially a team like that, I wouldn't say they were out of whack or [anything, but] they just had to get back in their groove," Munnerlyn said. "And they're definitely back in their groove right now."
Robison pointed out that another factor for Green Bay is having wide receiver Jordy Nelson back to his "regular form." Nelson caught two passes for 22 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota in September after missing all of last season with a torn ACL.
Since the Vikings last faced Nelson, the receiver has recorded 71 catches for 932 yards (77.6 yards per game average) and 10 touchdowns.
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said that Nelson looks more explosive and has been running better routes since their last meeting. Defensive Coordinator George Edwards also said Nelson is back in a smoother rhythm.
"You can tell that he's a lot more comfortable," Edwards said. "He's always been able to go up and catch the ball, but it looks like he's a lot more in sync to what they've done, and he's been very productive for them. "
The Vikings defense hopes to disrupt the connection between Rodgers and Nelson and, hopefully, put pressure on Rodgers early in the game.
In each of the teams' past two meetings, the Vikings recorded five sacks of Rodgers.
On Sept. 18, the sacks were all credited to defensive linemen: Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Tom Johnson, Linval Joseph and Robison.
While Johnson was recently added to the injured reserve list with hamstring injury, Robison feels confident in his line mates and knows they will need to be at their best on Saturday.
"They're hot coming into this game," Robison said. "We've got to make sure we do whatever we can do to slow them down."
