Vikings Look To End Losing Skid To Packers On Sunday

The Packers have gotten the better of the Vikings in the last five meetings in arguably one of the NFL's better rivalries. Sunday should be a game that shows similarities to their week one bout that saw the Packers prevailing at Lambeau Field.

The Vikings have a big injury blow to deal with as it looks like All-Pro defensive end Jared Allen will be sidelined with a shoulder injury. Although he wants to play, he has acknowledged that the decision is not his to make, saying: "I think you know what my decision would be".

The Vikings go into the game as two point favorites, which is really a one-point underdog, seeing as how  odds makers tend to give the home team 3 points to start. Green Bay is surely one of the best 4-4 teams in the league.

The Vikings sit at 4-4 as well, but lack the consistency the Packers have managed to bring each week. If you haven't gathered it by now, I am less than optimistic about the game.

Although the Vikings won the game last week, the Packers defensive looked solid against a strong Tennessee team. The biggest difference between this week's matchup compared to week one at Lambeau is the presence of Bryant McKinnie at left tackle. The running game must be potent on Sunday for the Vikings to have a shot.

Defensively, "Team Williams" is going to have to make up for the absence of Jared Allen and they really have to be in the face of Aaron Rodgers all day. If they can do that, it should help out the secondary, and if the secondary could 'break even' the Vikings should have a decent shot at winning the game.

A loss Sunday may not end the dreams of the playoffs for the Vikings but it could potentially be detrimental. However, Chicago faces off with Tennesssee and a loss by the Bears and a win by the Vikings shoots Minnesota back to the top of the division at 5-4.

The next four weeks will be a big indicator for the Vikings.

Home against the Packers, then away to Tampa Bay and Jacksonville capped off by a visit by the Chicago Bears to the Metrodome. If the Vikings should find some way to go 3-1 over that stretch of games, they would very much still be in the running for the NFC North. 4-0 is a very tough task, which would put the Vikings at 8-4 with just 4 games to go.

I am a real Vikings fan however, and that means I am realistic. I see the Vikings actually going 2-2, which may or may not keep them in the running. Going 1-3 will surely put them out of playoff contention, and would bring many Vikings fans back into the "fire Brad Childress" camp.

However, Brad Childress and his team are not thinking about their prospective record for the three games following Sunday's clash with division rival Green Bay. They will be focused on moving the ball and stopping the Green Bay attack. I just don't think they can get it done.

Prediction: Packers 31 Vikings 28