GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Green Bay Packers will try to move closer to first place in the NFC North tonight, when they host the Minnesota Vikings.
It's the Packers' third divisional game in 12 days, after they lost at Detroit and then crushed the Bears in Chicago last Sunday. The Lions lead the division at 3-1. All three other teams in the North are 2-2.
Tonight, the Packers will try to step up their running game within their rapid no-huddle offense. Starting running back Eddie Lacy had just 17 carries against the Bears for 48 yards, and backup James Starks did not play at all. Coach Mike McCarthy called Starks' omission a mistake.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had 302 passing yards and 4 touchdowns last week, said the Packers need more balance.
It will be interesting to see, though, whether Green Bay can achieve it against an improved Minnesota defense under new Vikings' coach Mike Zimmer. Packers' quarterbacks' coach Alex Van Pelt says there are lots of ways a defense can pressure an opponent -- and Zimmer uses them all.
Zimmer went 2-0 against Green Bay when he ran Cincinnati's defense. Last September, his Bengals held Rodgers to just a 64.5 passer rating.
Packers Preview begins at 5 p.m., with kickoff set for 7:20 p.m. on 1360/97.5 WTAQ News Talk Sports.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)