It's a monumental occasion in the NFC North race, and a big game for the Green Bay Packers' chances of making the playoffs.
A win would send Matt LaFleur's team up the divisional standings and ahead of the Vikings. A loss, though, would hand Minnesota a series sweep.
The Packers know it won't be easy, especially after what happened in Week 1, but it's a game they can't afford to lose. Here's everything you need to know.
- How to watch Packers vs. Vikings in Week 10
- Packers injury updates
- Vikings injury updates
- Storylines for Week 10
- Prediction
How to watch Packers vs. Vikings in Week 10
- Date: Sunday, November 15
- Time: Noon CT
- TV Network: FOX
- Announcers: Adam Amin, Drew Brees, Kristina Pink
Packers injury updates
The Packers have ruled out running back Josh Jacobs, center Sean Rhyan, and tight end Josh Whyle. Linebacker Zaire Franklin is doubtful.
As expected, Micah Parsons will have to wait until after the Packers' bye week to make his return. Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams is a potential target date.
Some notable names are questionable for this game: safety Xavier McKinney, slot corner Javon Bullard, edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, and right guard Kevin Zeitler. Losing any of those four would be tough for the Packers.
There's potentially good news, though, as running back Chris Brooks and wide receiver/returner Skyy Moore could return for this game. Brooks would boost the backfield without Jacobs, especially for his blocking against this Vikings defense. Moore was a difference-maker as a returner before getting hurt.
Vikings injury updates
The Vikings are also hit hard with injuries. They have ruled out standout linebacker Blake Cashman, who has PFF's second-best grade at the position, as well as tight end T.J. Hockenson, defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, and wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, and safety Josh Metellus are questionable. Something to watch closely.
Like Green Bay, Minnesota already knows it will be without a few key starters, and there's some uncertainty over the status of others.
Storylines for Week 10
Can the Packers hold off the Vikings' pass rush?
Packers fans understandably still have nightmares from the season opener. The Vikings' suffocating pass rush sacked Jordan Love four times and hit him 15 times, with Matt LaFleur's decision to start Donovan Jennings and Jacob Monk at guard backfiring immediately.
The good news is that Green Bay should be better prepared this time. The offensive line is far from perfect, but Laken Tomlinson is a massive upgrade, no matter which guard spot he starts at. The Packers should turn to Kevin Zeitler (if he's healthy) after an impressive cameo last week, especially given Aaron Banks' struggles.
Jordan Morgan is also playing his best football of the season. Per PFF, in the opening five games, he allowed four sacks and 17 pressures. In the past four weeks, he's given up one sack and five pressures.
It'll take a collective effort from everyone on offense, including the skill players, because Minnesota will send the house. Per SumerSports, Flores' unit has a ridiculous blitz rate of 69.9 percent, which is by far the highest in the NFL. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are next closest at 42 percent.
And it's effective, because the Vikings lead the league with a 48.2 percent pressure rate.
Can Jordan Love produce another MVP performance?
Despite facing relentless pressure in Week 1, Love led the Packers to a 22-10 lead midway through the third quarter, and he finished with 387 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. In hindsight, it's hard to believe he managed to pile up so many yards against this defense, especially given how poorly the line played.
Josh Allen, Jared Goff, and Caleb Williams combined for 548 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions against this Vikings defense.
Love worked some miracles in Week 1, but he could only do so much. Minnesota's pass rush became too much in the fourth quarter, and the Packers' offense fell apart.
Here's the good part: Love is as good as any quarterback in the NFL against the blitz. If the protection holds up just enough, as it did in the first half of the season opener, he can punish the Vikings.
Per Pro Football Focus, no quarterback has more passing touchdowns when blitzed than Love's 10. He has PFF's second-best passing grade against the blitz. Last week against the Patriots, Love completed 10 of 11 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown when blitzed.
He can make overly aggressive defenses pay, but Flores' unit is on another level. They overwhelmed the Packers' offensive line in Week 1, and it may take another MVP-level performance from Love.
Kirk Cousins' return
Entering Week 10, Minnesota's offense ranks No. 31 in the NFL for total yards per game and No. 27 in points per game, which prompted a deadline-day trade for Kirk Cousins. That could be a game-changing move for the Vikings.
Cousins isn't an elite quarterback, but he is a significant upgrade on Carson Wentz. The Vikings just need above-average play – a quarterback who can get the ball to Justin Jefferson and the other playmakers. The defense can do the rest. Cousins has history in Kevin O'Connell's offense, so there won't be much adjustment time necessary.
How quickly can he rediscover his chemistry with Jefferson? That's a concern for the Packers.
Prediction
Packers 23, Vikings 20
The Packers' offensive line faces a daunting prospect, but they're in better shape than in Week 1, and Matt LaFleur will have learned valuable lessons from that day.
Cousins' return complicates things for Jonathan Gannon's defense, but it's still not easy for the veteran quarterback to change teams five days before a game. He'll give Minnesota's offense life, though, and make this game a close one.
It's tough to call, but with the game at Lambeau, I'm giving the slight advantage to the red-hot Packers.
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