EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. –The Vikings know they must even out the time of possession at Green Bay.

The Vikings lost the stat category 37:02 to 22:58 against the Colts last week and possessed the ball for just 6:28 in the first half.

"From an offensive perspective, we need to stay on the field," Vikings Interim Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur said.

Shurmur, along with Defensive Coordinator George Edwards and Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer, addressed the Twin Cities media Wednesday.

Shurmur emphasized the stunted offensive drives against the Colts on Sunday and how it affected the game plan.

"We had a three-and-out and a four-and-out, and later in the second quarter we fumbled the ball when we had a chance to go in and score," Shurmur said. "When you don't stay on the field, then all the things you plan to do, you don't get to most of them.

"The challenge for us is obviously to extend the drives," he added. "We certainly want to create some explosive plays if we can, but if we have to march the ball down the field, I think it's important that we get first downs and stay on the field."

Green Bay will be the eighth game with Shurmur calling the shots on offense since Norv Turner resigned on Nov. 2. When asked to identify a point at which he "found his groove" in the offensive coordinator position, Shurmur said the role always offers ebbs and flows.

"I think each game you are presented with different scenarios – some games when you're fortunate enough to get ahead early, where you kind of feel like everything is working," Shurmur said. "Then there are other games where you are grinding it out, trying to find [other things that work]. I don't know about groove, but what I think you try to do each week is put a plan together where we can march the ball if we have to, score on big plays if we have to, and put points on the board."

Here are two topics covered by Edwards:

Healthy or not, Rodgers is a handful

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been hampered by a calf injury, but Edwards said the veteran is just as dangerous as ever.

In watching film from last week's Packers-Seahawks matchup, Edwards said Rodgers' injury hardly ever proved a factor.

"He had no problems escaping and running last week," Edwards said. "When you look at the tape, he had three runs in there that he really got out and picked up good yardage there scrambling."

According to Edwards, Rodgers is the type of quarterback that can do "everything."

"He can move in the pocket, buy time, and they get their routes down the field," Edwards said. "So, we've got to stay matched up on the routes. And when he's pulled it down to run he's done a good job running. He can make every throw, whether he's on the run or if he's back there stationary in the pocket. 

The loss of Tom Johnson

Edwards acknowledged that having defensive tackle Tom Johnson moved to the injured reserve list with a hamstring injury is a hit to the team, due to the way he enhanced the defense.

"Tom did an excellent job coming in on our sub packages, whether it was run or pass," Edwards said. "He had turned in a regular run player for us, too."

Despite losing Johnson, Edwards feels confident in how the defensive line will respond and continue to perform well.

"We'll rotate some guys in there and use them in the different packages and expect them to be able to use their skillsets to help us, whether it's rusher the passer or in the run game, first and second down," Edwards said.

Defensive tackle Toby Johnson was signed to the active roster when Tom Johnson moved to IR. Edwards said it's beneficial that Toby has been practicing with the defense all year.

"He understands what we're trying to do fundamental and technique-wise and what we're trying to do from a schematic stand point," Edwards said of Toby. "He understands those different things and what we try to do in the pass rush game. So, it's an opportunity for him to step up. We'll see how it goes Saturday."

Here are two topics covered by Priefer:

Playing aggressively on special teams

Last season at Green Bay, Priefer and the Vikings special teams pulled off a fake punt play that proved to have a major role in the game's momentum.

When asked if he has anything up his sleeve for Saturday's game, Priefer said he always maintains an aggressive mindset on special teams.

"Coach Zimmer has allowed us to be aggressive on special teams every week. We've had fakes in pretty much every week," Priefer said. "I think it's one of those things that you have to pick and choose your spots. You've got to be smart about it. In the return game, we brought several back from seven-eight yards deep last week against Indianapolis.

"We're going to continue that because we think we have big-play ability across the board," Priefer continued. "Punt return, kickoff return, kickoffs, surprise [onside kicks], punt fakes, those sorts of things. You always have to have those things in so you're ready for them when the time arises or that situation arises where you see something that our opponent's doing that we can take advantage of and hopefully get a big play for our team."

A first for Forbath

Kai Forbath has played in 56 games over a five-season career, but Saturday will mark his first game kicking at Lambeau Field.

Priefer said Forbath did well practicing outdoors at Winter Park Wednesday in preparation for kicking in the elements at Green Bay.

"He did a good job, made all eight field goals," Priefer said. "We only backed him up to 43; he was kicking into a little bit of a wind. But he hit the ball well, [and] four of his five kickoffs were very good."

Priefer said his biggest focus heading into this weekend is to play consistently on special teams. He reminded that Minnesota's returners have played in the cold weather, and specialists Kevin McDermott and Kevin McDermott are accustomed to it, as well.

"Hopefully we'll get used to it quickly," Priefer said. "The big thing with Green Bay is that Lambeau has always been a slippery field, so it's going to be the footing more than anything else, and that's what we've told our guys this week."