The Minnesota Vikings is scheduled to play against the Green Bay Packers in NFL's Week 5 Thursday Night Football on Oct. 2, 2014. The Vikings will visit the Packers at the Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The game can be watched online via live stream below (free with subscription), and on CBS and NFL Network.
The Vikings are 2-2, Packers 2-2. Vikings beat St. Louis Rams 34-6 in Week 1, lost to Patriots 30-7 in Week 2 and to New Orleans Saints 9-20 in Week 3, and came back over the top in Week 4 by dominating the Atlanta Falcons by 41-28. On the other hand, Packers lost to Seattle Seahawks 16-36 in Week 1, to New York Jets 24-31 in Week 2, to Detroit Lions 7-19 in Week 3, and emerged with the first win 38-17 over Chicago Bears in Week 4.
On offense, Vikings were able to make a comeback in the last game, proving that the team still has potential for the playoffs this season, despite playing without their star running back Adrian Peterson, who has been placed on the "Exempt/Commissioner's Permission list" as he deals with the legal charges of child abuse.
Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater passed for 317 yards and a key two-point conversion before getting taken away on a cart for X-rays for an ankle injury. He was 19 for 30 with no turnovers and ran five times for 27 yards and a score in his first career start. On running plays, Matt Asiata put down three touchdowns in 20 of 78 carries.
On defense, Vikings are ranked 9th in points allowed, 17th in yards (354.2) and pass yards (241), and 15th in rush yards (113.2).
On offense, Packers is ranked 18th in points, 15th in pass yards, but trailed behind in total yards (306.5) and rush yards (73) at 28th place in the league. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is going 86-130, with 999 yards and 9 pass touchdowns. On running plays, Eddie Lacy has 53 carries with 161 yards and one touchdown.
On defense, Packers are ranked 18th in points allowed, 26th in total yards, 5th in pass yards, and last in rush defense. If the Packers are looking to turn the projectile of their season, then coach Mike McCarthy must find a way to plug up the hole in the rush defense.
Judging from the teams' performances, Vikings have an upper hand with a strong running game from Asiata and passes from 21-year-old Bridgewater, and will most likely capitalize on Packers' weakness in rush defense. However, Bridgewater is listed as questionable and did not participate in practice, so veteran quarterback Rodgers still have a strong chance to lead his team out of the slow start of the 2014 NFL season.
The Vikings vs. Packers Thursday Night Football game will start on CBS and NFL Network at 5:25 PM PST, and you can watch the live stream online by clicking on the link here.
