Vikings look to stay undefeated against rival Green Bay in Week 4

Sports Vikings look to stay undefeated against rival Green Bay in Week 4

The Minnesota Vikings (3-0) will look to stay undefeated as they travel to Lambeau Field to take on NFC North rival the Green Bay Packers (2-1) on Sunday at noon.

The Vikings dominated the New York Giants in Week 1 and are coming off two massive statement wins against the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans at home.

The Packers lost a close game to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 and have since won back-to-back games against AFC South opponents Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans. Both of those wins came without quarterback Jordan Love.

Related: Vikings: 3 keys to victory vs. Packers in Week 4

The Vikings are looking to start the season 4-0 for the first time since 2016.

Last season, the two teams split the season series with the Packers winning the most recent contest on New Year's Eve at U.S. Bank Stadium, 33-10.

Green Bay has the edge in the all-time series, with a record of 66-58-3.

Here's a look at some keys to watch and predictions for the latest installment of this rivalry.

Why I'm Confident

Josh: Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold

Yup, after just three weeks, Darnold is already a reason to be confident in the Vikings.

He leads the NFL in touchdown passes, ranks in the top-five in both passer rating and quarterback rating, is completing 68% of his passes (over 8% higher than his career average coming into the season) and has the fifth-highest completion percentage above expected, per Next Gen Stats.

On Sunday, he'll have another weapon in wide receiver Jordan Addison, who has been out since about halfway through the season-opener.

Meanwhile, only five teams have allowed more passing touchdowns this season than the Packers, who are also tied for the 10th-most yards per completion allowed. Green Bay does lead the league in interceptions, so Darnold will have to be careful but he's been smart with the ball thus far to inspire that confidence.

Tommy: Vikings defense

It's been three weeks and Brian Flores' defense has been nothing short of impressive.

Minnesota leads the NFL in sacks (16) and passes defensed (20) and are tied for second and third in interceptions (5) and takeaways (6), respectively.

They also are averaging giving up 10 points per game, second to only the Pittsburgh Steelers (8.7).

Despite not having Love in the past two games, the Packers still are averaging 391.7 total yards of offense per game, the fifth-best mark in the NFL. They also turned the ball over twice so far this season.

It'll be another challenge for the Vikings but the defense has already stepped up against talented offenses, such as San Francisco and Houston.

Why I'm Concerned

Josh: Packers running game

No team has run for more yards through three weeks than the Packers.

Yes, they leaned more on the run game with Love out the past two games, but Green Bay's average of 5.5 yards per carry is still second to only Baltimore. If Love plays (he is expected to be active) his passing ability will just prevent the Vikings from loading up the box and focusing on stopping the run.

Minnesota does have a good run defense, allowing just 71.3 yards per game on the ground thus far (only Baltimore has allowed fewer) and just 3.6 yards per carry. Still, they'll face a tough test on Sunday.

Tommy: Packers defense

Green Bay has done well in forcing turnovers, leading the NFL with nine total and a league-leading seven interceptions.

Quarterback Sam Darnold has played well thus far, only throwing two interceptions while passing for eight touchdowns in three games. However, he has a closer touchdown-to-interception ratio in his career and playing at Lambeau Field is always a daunting task.

While overall I'm confident in the Vikings' chances, a good showing by Green Bay's defense in forcing turnovers could change the momentum of the game's outcome.

Key Matchup

Josh: Vikings wide receivers vs. Packers secondary

As mentioned, the Vikings are set to get Addison back alongside Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor on Sunday and should finally get a chance to line up next to each other in three-receiver sets frequently. Remember, even in Week 1, Nailor was somewhat limited so the three haven't shared the field a lot yet.

Green Bay's top cornerback, Jaire Alexander, is questionable for Sunday. If he's out, Minnesota's wideouts should give Darnold plenty of options on dropbacks, but even if he plays, the Packers are still expected to be without Carrington Valentine, who has allowed the second-lowest passer rating this season among Packers corners.

Maybe Green Bay will get its safeties more involved in coverage but with a trio of Jefferson, Addison and Nailor, the Vikings should be able to create some mismatches on Sunday.

Tommy: Whoever plays quarterback for Packers vs. Vikings defense

Flores' defense has prepared for either Love or Malik Willis as both are active for Sunday.

Both players would be running a different offense, as Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has opened the playbook up for Willis as a zone-read, RPO-style to fit his play style. If Love plays, it transitions back to a West Coast style playbook.

Minnesota could face its toughest challenge on defense this week as it essentially prepares for two playbooks and two quarterbacks.

All Eyes On

Josh: Vikings running back Aaron Jones

You know everyone will be closely watching what Jones does in his return to Green Bay.

Cut loose by the Packers after seven years in Green Bay, Jones has helped take Minnesota's run game to a new level. According to Pro Football Focus, he's averaging 5.4 yards per carry (fifth-most among running backs with at least 20 carries) and 4.02 yards after contact per carry (second among qualified backs), and he's averaging the fifth-most rushing yards over expected per carry, per Next Gen Stats.

That running ability, combined with his pass-catching prowess, has helped him rack up the seventh-most yards from scrimmage so far this season.

Jones has said nothing but good things about the Packers but you know he'd love to show his old team they erred by moving on from him, and he's already said he'll do a "Lambeau leap" if he scores. He should be fund to watch.

Tommy: Packers quarterback Jordan Love

Yes, Love is active on Sunday. But how effective will he be?

Love suffered a sprained MCL against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 and is already making his return in Week 4. Whether he's 100% or not remains to be seen.

If he is, the Vikings will have another true test of a talented quarterback face them for the third consecutive week (sorry Daniel Jones). If not, could the Packers mix in play of Willis to throw the defense off?

Either way, Love being active could change the dynamic of the Packers' offense and puts Green Bay in an even better spot to win this NFC North contest.

Josh: 27-17 Vikings

Over the past two seasons, these rivals have each won one home and one road game in this series, and closest game was a 14-point margin last October at Lambeau. I'm expecting this one to be tighter for most of the game but I think the Vikings pull away in the second half on Sunday.

Tommy: 31-28 Vikings

If Love is indeed starting, this game will come down to the wire. Both defenses could create a lower scoring game but let the points fly as both offenses are built with talent across the board. Rookie kicker Will Reichard gets a memorable moment at Lambeau as his first regular season game game-winning kick. Vikings move to 4-0. For what it's worth, I said last week against the Texans would be a game-winner from Reichard. It's going to happen at some point, OK.