The Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) will attempt to snap a two-game home losing streak and keep their currently unbeaten record against the NFC North alive when the struggling Minnesota Vikings (4-6) come to Lambeau Field on Sunday in Week 12.
The Packers lost to the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles in back-to-back weeks at Lambeau Field but got back on the winning track in New York last week. Now, Matt LaFleur’s team will play its first game against a divisional opponent since beating the Detroit Lions in Green Bay to open the 2025 season.
Can the Packers start playing winning football again at home and secure a big division win to keep pace in the highly competitive NFC North?
Here are the five keys to the Packers beating the Vikings in Week 12:
1. Handle the blitz
The Vikings have blitzed on an NFL-high 57 percent of opponent dropbacks in the five games since the team’s bye, per NFL Pro. Brian Flores is the most aggressive defensive playcaller in football, and he’ll know how important it is to disrupt Jordan Love — who has been ruthless when kept clean this season — in the pocket. Can the Packers consistently set protections, get the right people blocked and give Love chances to attack against the blitz? Sean Rhyan, who has one career start at center, will be stressed mentally in the pre-snap phase. It’ll be on Love to decode the blitzes and help Rhyan get the right protection set, receivers and pass-catchers to get open on time and the running backs — like Chris Brooks — to pick up the blitzers from depth. The Giants blitzed Love on almost half of his dropbacks last week, and he completed 5-of-10 passes for 68 yards and a score. The Packers must be ready for anything and everything against Flores.
2. Win the turnover battle
First-year starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy has thrown at least one interception in all five of his starts, and the Vikings are 0-3 when McCarthy throws at least two. Through 11 weeks, the Vikings have the second-most turnovers in football and are 1-5 overall when turning the ball over at least twice in a game. Catching the ball when McCarthy puts it in danger was likely an emphasis on defense this week after the Packers dropped four picks last week. Last season, the Packers offense turned the ball over five times in a pair of losses to the Vikings, including four turnovers — and three Jordan Love interceptions — in a loss at Lambeau Field. In Minneapolis, a Josh Jacobs fumble ended a promising opening drive. This season, each of the team’s four non-wins — three losses and a tie — featured a crushing turnover. The Packers are also 5-0 when avoiding a takeaway this season, so playing a clean game on offense and getting a couple of stolen possessions via a turnover could be enough to beat a division rival at home.
3. Cover the 3 WRs
The Vikings are a predominantly 11 personnel offense, which should keep the Packers defense in their nickel personnel for much of the game. Can the Packers keep Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor covered? Slot corner Javon Bullard has been terrific this season, especially in zone and against the run, but the Vikings are going to move receivers around and attempt to find the best matchups — meaning both Jefferson and Addison will spend time against Bullard inside. Jeff Hafley has to be great at disguising coverage and ensuring J.J. McCarthy doesn’t have easy completions to find in the middle of the field. And you can bet the Vikings will force-feed the ball to Jefferson, providing a big test for Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon on the outside. Sunday is a big test but also a big opportunity for the corner group.
4. Figure out third down and the red zone on offense
A challenge ahead for the Packers offense: Minnesota’s defense is excellent situationally, ranking in the top 10 on third down and top five in the red zone. Because of the issues running the football, the Packers have faced a lot of third downs this season — but consistently living in third down against Brian Flores and all of his exotic blitzes and coverages will be tough living. Can the Packers sustain drives, or will it take explosive plays to score points? While Green Bay’s offense is still top five in scoring touchdowns in the red zone, issues have popped up at times over first 10 games, and the Packers can’t afford to throw away points in the scoring area on Sunday. Scoring in the red zone could be greatly complicated if Josh Jacobs, the team’s best weapon inside the 10-yard line, isn’t able to go. This might be another Christian Watson week inside the 20 — a big, athletic receiver can be the answer in confined spaces.
5. Beat the interior OL
The Vikings have a pair of terrific offensive tackles in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neil, potentially complicating the path to the quarterback via Micah Parsons and the edge rushers. But this could be a game for the interior defensive line to make a big impact. The Vikings could be returning veteran center Ryan Kelly after a six-game absence, but left guard Donovan Jackson is a rookie and right guard Will Fries — who is questionable with a knee injury — has allowed a team-high 23 pressures. Can the Packers find ways to collapse the pocket inside? Devonte Wyatt needs a breakout game, and the return of Lukas Van Ness could provide an interior pass-rushing option on obvious passing downs. Also, expect Parsons to get a few chances to rush over the center and pick his 1-on-1 matchups. Consistently beating Darrisaw and O’Neil will be tough, so the Packers front must win the battle inside on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: 5 keys to Packers beating Vikings in Week 12
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
