Packers-Vikings: Five Matchups To Watch

One could put together a pretty convincing argument that the Green Bay Packers are the best 4-4 team in the NFL. Yet the fact of the matter is, the Packers' 4-4 record only puts Green Bay in a tie for second place in the NFC North, and—if the season ended today—no return trip to the playoffs.

To break that tie, and possibly jump into another tie for first in the division, the Packers will have to beat the Minnesota Vikings (4-4) in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Sunday. The Vikings lost to the Packers 24-19 in their week one matchup, and have yet to beat the Packers under the Brad Childress regime.

Five matchups to watch Sunday:

1. Packers defensive tackle Ryan Pickett vs. Vikings center Matt Birk

Birk is one of the game's best centers, and, at age 32, is still the anchor to the Vikings sixth-ranked rushing offense. The Vikings have one of the NFL's most talented running backs in Adrian Peterson, so Birk only needs to provide AD a little running room for him to be effective.

Against the Packers' run-defense, providing holes shouldn't be much of a problem. Green Bay will come into the game with the NFL's 28th ranked rushing defense, and that unit has yet to hold a rushing attack ranked higher than 31st in the NFL to under 100 yards.

Pickett will have to be a force in the middle for the Packers to contain the Vikings daunting rushing attack. He must continually get penetration into the Minnesota backfield to keep Peterson from running rampant on Sunday.

Advantage: Vikings

2. Packers receiver Greg Jennings vs. Vikings corner back Antoine Winfield

Jennings, and his big play ability (he leads the NFL in catches over 20 yards), will come into the game ranked second in the NFL in receiving yards with 764. But Jennings he has yet to face a corner back as physical as Winfield and at 5'9", 180 lbs, Winfield is as tough as they come when you're talking about NFL corners.

Winfield has made big play after big play for Minnesota this season, and will need to continue his stellar play against one of the NFL's most up and coming receivers. Jennings  will again present Winfield's with one of his biggest tests this season.

In their week one matchup, Jennings was able to haul in a 56-yard pass, so look for the Packers to challenge Winfield deep to help stretch out the field for Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Advantage: Packers

3. Packers center Scott Wells vs. Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams

Williams leads all NFL defensive tackles in sacks with seven, so combined with his well-documented ability to stop the run, he makes for a tough matchup for any interior offensive lineman.

Wells had his hands full last weekend with the Titans Albert Haynesworth, so he will be battle-tested for this Sunday's matchup with Williams. There were times when Haynesworth beat Wells, but overall, the Packers center held his own fairly well against one of the NFL's most dominant lineman.

This matchup is critical because—not only will Wells need to block Willams to keep Rodgers up right—but the Packers will need to run the ball effectively to keep the Vikings' aggressive defense off-balance.

Advantage: Vikings

4. Packers returner Will Blackmon vs. Vikings' coverage units

The Packers week one win over Minnesota is all the evidence you need of how a big return can sway the game in one team's favor. With Green Bay up only 10-6 late in the third quarter, Blackmon returned a Vikings' punt 76 yards for a touchdown, swinging the games' momentum in the Packers favor.

The Vikings special teams' troubles didn't end there. A couple of weeks later, the Saints' Reggie Bush took two Vikings' punts back for touchdowns, almost costing Minnesota a victory. After eight games, the Vikes rank dead-last in the NFL in covering punts (16.5 yards per punt return) and have given up a league-leading three punt returns for touchdowns. 

If Blackmon can spring another big return for the Packers, it could be the one big play that puts Green Bay over the top in this game.

Advantage: Green Bay

5. Packers cornerback Charles Woodson vs. Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian

Berrian has been the deep threat the Vikings thought he'd be when they signed him this offseason, and ever since Gus Frerotte took over behind center in Minnesota, the two have hooked up for just under 600 yards and four touchdowns.

However, Berrian will be lining up opposite his toughest challenge this season in the Packers' Woodson. The nine-year veteran has had quite possibly his best professional season, leading the NFL in interceptions and locking down some of the league's elite receivers (just ask the Cowboy's Terrell Owens).

Frerotte will no doubt be looking downfield for Berrian throughout the afternoon, and the Packers will call upon Woodson to make sure that connection doesn't happen.

Advantage: Packers

Minnesota plays host to Green Bay Sunday at 12:00 CDT, on FOX.