After an ugly Monday Night Football game that resulted in the Minnesota Vikings handing the New York Giants their first win of the season, the Vikings host their NFC division rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football.
Free agent acquisition Josh Freeman got hurt in the game against the Giants, starting under center days after getting signed by the Vikings, suffering a concussion during the team's ugly 23-7 loss to the Giants, going for an abysmal 20- of-53 for 190 yards with an interception. Running back Adrian Peterson, last year's Most Valuable Player award winner, was held to 28 yards.
Christian Ponder will start at quarterback this week for the Vikings, after losing his job to Matt Cassel earlier in the season.
"At the quarterback position, you want to know who is going to be lining up week-in and week-out," said Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier. "But that's the circumstance where we are and Christian will do a good job for us on Sunday night."
The Packers are looking to extend their lead in the NFC North Division, trying to stay ahead of the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. The Packers have won three straight despite their roster being decimated by injuries. The Packers will be without TE Jermichael Finley, due to a neck injury, in the teams 31-13 win over the Cleveland Browns, joining LBs Clay Matthews, Nick Perry,and Brad Jones as well as WRs Randall Cobb and James Jones on the injured list.
QB Aaron Rodgers went 25- of-36 for 260 yards and three touchdowns, relying on WR Jarrett Boykin - stepping in for the injured Cobb and Jones - who had 8 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. Coach Mike McCarthy feels the team will be prepared regardless of who lines up on Sunday.
"We're going to have 46 guys lined up against the Minnesota Vikings and we're going to the Metrodome to win," said coach Mike McCarthy.
You can catch the Green Bay Packers - Minnesota Vikings Sunday Night Football broadcast 8:30 p.m. Sunday night on NBC.
In other Sunday Week 8 NFL action:
New York Jets (4-3) vs Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
The Bengals currently lead the AFC North division, two games ahead the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns, and will look to stay atop at the expense of the Jets. The Bengals are coming off victories over the Buffalo Bills and the Detroit Lions, with QB Andy Dalton going 50-of-74 passes for 709 yards, six touchdowns the last two weeks.
The Jets defeated the New England Patriots last week, in overtime, with QB Geno Smith going 233 yards and a TD, and rushing for 32 yards and another score in the Jets' overtime victory, putting New York within a game of the AFC East lead. The Jets defense has helped the rookie, ranking fourth in the NFL in total yardage allowed, ranked third in sacks, and second against the run.
TV: 4:05 p.m. on CBS
Washington Redskins (2-4) vs Denver Broncos
The Broncos are looking to bounce back from their lose to the Indianapolis Colts. Despite the emotions of the game, returning to the town where he won a Super Bowl, QB Peyton Manning tried to rally back the Broncos from a 36-14 deficit, completing 29-of-49 passes for 386 yards, three TDs and an interception in their 39-33 to Indianapolis. The defeat at the hands of the Colts is their first of the year, having won 17 regular season games in a row, dating back to last season.
The Redskins are looking to build on their two out of their last three victories, beating the Chicago Bears 45-41, as the try to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East division. Robert Griffin III threw for 298 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 84 yards on 11 attempts. Griffin connected with TE Jordan Reed who caught the ball nine times for 134 yards and touchdown.
TV: 4:25 p.m. on Fox
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