Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass for a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings continued a ridiculously hot start to the 2024 season with a dominant 34-7 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday.
Now, the Vikings are headed back out on the road and won’t return to U.S. Bank Stadium until Week 7. This weekend’s road game happens to take the Vikings to Green Bay for a huge divisional showdown against the Packers. Here is a look at what fans need to know ahead of the game.
The Vikings and Packers kick off at Lambeau Field at 12 PM Central. The game will be broadcast on CBS and can also be streamed on NFL+ in the NFL app as well as NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV.
The Packers and Vikings will match up for the 128th time in the histories of the two franchises this weekend. Through the first 127 meetings, the Packers lead the all-time series with a record of 66-58-3. The most recent matchup, of course, took place on New Year’s Eve during the 2023 season when the Packers trounced the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, 33-10.
The Vikings went into Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans without LB Ivan Pace, who sat out with an ankle injury. In his stead, Kamu Grugier-Hill helped take on some extra work in the defense and recorded three tackles, two passes defended, and an interception.
Now, Pace is beginning Week 4 as a DNP on the Vikings’ injury report as he continues to work through his ankle injury. As a result, it’s reasonable to expect that Grugier-Hill very well could play a key role in Minnesota’s defense.
The Packers notably have two young up-and-coming talents at the tight end position in Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft. While they each have been quiet so far in 2024, it doesn’t seem likely that the slow stretch will last through the entire season. If Grugier-Hill has to step up for Minnesota’s defense, he will play a role in trying to contain those two tight ends.
Of course, there certainly will be focus on the Packers’ quarterback situation ahead of this weekend. Jordan Love could be in line to return to the field, but Malik Willis has given Green Bay no reason to hurry their starter back into the lineup.
That being said, the Packers defense should cause some concern for Vikings fans this weekend. Green Bay has been fantastic on that side of the ball, and star cornerback Jaire Alexander is a big reason for their success.
The cornerback has recorded four passes defended and two interceptions (including a 35-yard pick-six against the Titans in Week 3) through the first three games of the season. Green Bay leads the NFL with nine forced turnovers, so the Vikings will need to be extra cautious with the football.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference.