Vikings at Packers
THE STORY: Rookie Christian Ponder didn't project to be a first-round draft pick this year and certainly didn't figure to be in the mix for the starting quarterback job in his first season with the Minnesota Vikings. So as Ponder gets set to make his third career start on Monday night, he'll again be asked to overcome steep odds when the Vikings pay a visit to Lambeau Field to face the reigning Super Bowl champion – and unbeaten – Green Bay Packers. It will be the second time in three starts that Ponder will be staring across the field at Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who have reeled off 14 consecutive victories dating to last season's run to the Super Bowl.
TV: ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET. LINE: Packers -13.5, O/U 51
ABOUT THE VIKINGS (2-6): Coming out of its bye, Minnesota will look to build on a 24-21 win at Carolina in Week 8. Ponder threw for 236 yards and a touchdown and Adrian Peterson had rushing and receiving TDs. The Vikings led visiting Green Bay at halftime in Ponder’s first start, but the Packers ripped off 20 consecutive points in the third quarter to take control. The Vikings will lean heavily on Peterson, who rushed for 175 yards in the first meeting and has amassed 982 yards in nine games against the Packers. Jared Allen, who leads the league in sacks with 13.0, had two of Minnesota’s four against Rodgers in Week 6.
ABOUT THE PACKERS (8-0): Rodgers continued his brilliant season by throwing four touchdown passes in a 45-38 win at San Diego. Charlie Peprah and Tramon Williams returned interceptions for TDs as Green Bay surpassed 40 points for the third time this season. It was the second four-touchdown game of the season for Rodgers, who has tossed an off-the-charts 24 scoring passes against only three interceptions. He’s also the first player in league history to compile a passer rating of at least 110 in each of the first eight games to start a season. The defense, particularly against the pass, continues to be a concern after allowing 65 points in the last two games.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Green Bay is the third reigning Super Bowl champ to open the following season 8-0, joining San Francisco (1990) and Denver (1998).
2. Minnesota’s Allen has registered a sack in a franchise-record 10 straight games. He has 11.5 sacks in his last six games against the Packers.
3. The Packers are averaging 34.4 points per game. New Orleans (31.9) is the only other team averaging more than 30.