Minnesota Vikings: 10 Bold Week 10 Predictions for Green Bay Packers Rematch

The Christian Ponder era for the Minnesota Vikings started a little too late to salvage the 2011 season. Left to play the role of spoiler, the Vikings will face their biggest rival in a Monday night game at Lambeau Field on Nov. 14.

The Vikings head into their bye week with a road victory over the Carolina Panthers and will look to win back-to-back games for only the second time over the past 24 contests.

Coach Leslie Frazier has two weeks to prepare for the rematch of Ponder's first NFL start in Week 7, which had the Vikings still with a chance to win the game late in the fourth quarter.

Green Bay left the Metrodome with a 33-27 victory, the closest margin of victory for the 7-0 Packers this season.

The difference in the game was the two interceptions by Charles Woodson in back-to-back possessions of the third quarter that led to two field goals—the final margin of the game.

The Vikings, behind a rejuvenated offense led by Ponder, will once again look to control the game by running the ball. At the Metrodome against the Packers Adrian Peterson had a season-high 175 yards rushing.

Minnesota will go into the game with confidence and a quarterback with a little more experience from the first meeting.

While this game will have little to no bearing on the season for either team, here are 10 predictions for the Vikings-Packers rematch.

Charles Woodson Will Not Intercept Christian Ponder

In his starting debut, rookie quarterback Christian Ponder made a couple of rookie mistakes. Those mistakes were capitalized by Packers cornerback Charles Woodson.

After having worked with the first team in practice, and his first win as the starting quarterback, Ponder will still be prone to making rookie mistakes, but look for him to have a better game.

Looking to intercept a few more passes, Woodson will play the ball instead of the receiver and get burned at least once in this game.

Antoine Winfield Makes His Return to the Lineup

After missing four straight games with a neck injury cornerback Antoine Winfield will return to the starting lineup.

Winfield will have a big game similar to the Tuesday night game in Philadelphia, when the Vikings shocked the 10-4 Eagles with a 24-14 win.

In that game Winfield had two sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a touchdown. 

The Other Christian Will Make His Mark

In the first game between these two teams this season, the defense was called upon to stop the Packers late in the game to give the offense a shot to shock the Super Bowl Champions.

With 2:37 left in the game, and facing a 4th-and-10, Leslie Frazier chose to punt the ball from deep within Vikings territory. With everyone sitting in the Metrodome knowing that the Packers would run the ball, Green Bay running back James Starks ran the ball six straight times, including runs of 13, 15, and 20 yards to end the game. 

Look for plenty of rotations within the defensive line to keep their legs fresh towards the end of the game. Letroy Guion, Everson Griffen and Christian Ballard will all get some snaps, and the rookie Ballard will make the more of his opportunity of the three.

A Vikings Linebacker Will Have a Big Day

The Vikings linebackers need to step up and provide a game-changing play. 

After signing a five-year $41 million contract, outside linebacker Chad Greenway needs to prove he is worth the money.

Greenway has been a decent linebacker, having led the Vikings in tackles since becoming a starter in 2007, but he has not provided that explosiveness that puts fear into opposing offensive coordinators.

Likewise, middle linebacker E.J. Henderson has not played like the Pro Bowl player of last season when he led the Vikings with three interceptions and had a fumble recovery.

Against the Packers one of these two will step up and have a big play that stalls a drive for the Packers and gives the ball back to the Minnesota offense.

Look for either a blitzing sack of Rodgers, or a hard hit over the middle that separates the receiver from the football.

Adrian Peterson Will Run Wild—Again

Adrian Peterson will have another good day against the Packers defense.

After running for 175 yards the last time these two team played, the plan will be more of the same, giving Peterson the ball often in order to control the clock, and keep the ball away from Aaron Rodgers and the leagues best offense.

Peterson, the leagues top running back, will not duplicate his 175 yards playing on grass, but he will find his way into the end zone, scoring at least two touchdowns.

Jared Allen Will Add to His League Leading Sack Total

Jared Allen has been on a terror, and is currently on a pace to surpass Micheal Strahan's single-season sack record of 22.5.

Allen had two sacks of Aaron Rodgers in the first meeting a couple of weeks ago. This time ,look for the Vikings defensive leader to turn up the heat and sack Rodgers another two or three times and either cause a fumble, or recover one.

Percy Harvin Will Have over 200 Rushing, Receiving and Return Yards

Percy Harvin is the Minnesota Vikings most explosive weapon. The ability to line him up anywhere on the field presents a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators. 

Harvin, who's presence on the field has been limited over the several games with a rib injury, will have two weeks to rest and get ready for the Monday night game.

Look for Harvin to make an impact running, receiving and returning the ball. The Vikings kickoff team has done a tremendous job of giving the offense good field position. Against the Panthers even punt returner Marcus Sherels, returning kickoffs for the injured Lorenzo Booker, was able to run off a 78-yard return to open the game.

While Harvin has only one offensive touchdown this season, look for him and Christian Ponder to build some rapport.

With the Packers focused on trying to stop Adrian Peterson, Harvin will have a big day.

Aaron Rodgers Will Prove He's Human

Aaron Rodger's passer rating of 125.7 is the best in the NFL by more than 20 points, and his 20 touchdown passes currently tie him with Drew Brees for the league lead.

Perhaps he will be overconfident facing the Vikings at home on Lambeau Field. Since taking over as the Packers starting quarterback in 2008, Rodgers has a 20-7 record.

Everything will align in the favor of the Vikings defense, and Rodgers will have the worst game of the season, proving that he is in fact human.

Look for a couple of picks and less than 250 passing yards for Rodgers as the Vikings take control of the clock with their running game and the defensive line provides plenty of pressure. 

Christian Ponder Will Play Like a Veteran

Christian Ponder had a 102.7 passer rating for his performance against the Panther in Charlotte. Completing 18 of 28 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown, Ponder protected the ball and did not have a turnover.

The Carolina defense was credited with four sacks, but a couple of those came on broken plays in which Ponder tucked the ball and attempted to gain some yardage running.

The Achilles heel of the Packers is their pass defense. Averaging 288.9 passing yards allowed per game, Green Bay ranks 31st in the league.

Ponder will have two weeks to practice with the first-team offense, and prepare for the Green Bay defense. 

One of the areas he has excelled over Donovan McNabb has been converting third downs and extending drives. With the Packers defense looking to stop Adrian Peterson, and failing, it will open up the passing game for Ponder. 

Vikings Upset the Packers and Give Green Bay Their First Loss

The boldest prediction is the Vikings will shock the Packers at Lambeau Field on Monday Night.

Over the last 10 games the Vikings are 4-6 at Lambeau Field, with the average score being 22.2 points for the Vikings and 24 for the Packers.

This time the Vikings defense steps up with a couple of turnovers, and in the end, preserve a Vikings win.

The final score:

Vikings 28

Packers 23