Week 10: Vikings (4-4) vs. Packers (4-4)

As we roll into Week 10, we find the Purple and Gold battling for second place in the NFC North -- lead by the Chicago Bears -- against the Green Bay Packers. With the Bears going head-t0-head with the undefeated Tennessee Titans, the Vikings could find themselves ties for first in the division. Here are some key points for this week's match-up (this will be updated throughout the week, so keep checking back):

1) The D Factor
The Vikings defense ranks 11th overall this week (302.5 YPG allowed) after allowing 389 total yards from the Houston Texans'. Despite the high volume of yards allowed, the Vikings pulled out a 28-21 victory, ending Houston's three-game winning streak. After holding both RB Steve Slaton and WR Andre Johnson to 62 yards each, the Vikings rush defense hangs on to second place (69.2 YPG) behind the Baltimore Ravens.

The Vikings secondary caused three turnovers Sunday, including a key interception in the endzone by Madieu Williams. This game was Williams' first game of the season after injuring his neck in training camp. Hopefully, we shall see more from him and possibly Darren Sharper's first interception of the season.

With the placing of MLB E.J. Henderson on injured reserve, the potential four-week suspension of DT Kevin Williams and NT Pat Williams in the bumetanide scandal, and shoulder injury for Jared Allen, the Vikings could see these numbers fall drastically. In a crucial match-up against the Packers, this could be ugly.

Worst case scenario: we see Ellis Wyms, Fred Evans, Brian Robison, and and Ray Edwards as the starting D-line. Not HORRIBLE, but not the Pro Bowl performance we'll be used to seeing.

Update: Jared Allen (shoulder) is listed as doubtful. Kevin and Pat Williams ARE expected to play today against Green Bay.

UPDATED Update: Jared Allen WILL be active for today's game. It's reported that he will be playing with his shoulder in a harness.

2) Gus "Get Us Somewhere" Frerotte
Gus Frerotte will walk into the Metrodome today 4-2 as a starter, a definite improvement over the 0-2 record of Tarvaris Jackson. Although his new(-ish) role as starter hasn't been miraculous, he has managed to level off a season that was clearly plummeting. After six games, Frerotte has 8 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, a QB rating of 77.6 and has thrown for a total number of 1,468 yards. On top of that, Frerotte has a 90.8 QB rating at home this season.

Frerotte has connected with Bernard Berrian 27 times this season, resulting in 583 yds and 4 touchdowns. With Frerotte under center, Berrian has averaged 25.31 yards per catch, including an 86 yard TD pass against Detroit in Week 6. Overall this season, Berrian leads the NFL in yard per catch at 20.7 among receivers with at least 20 catches and Frerotte is 4th in yards per completion at 12.88.

And if anyone was curious, TE Visanthe Shiancoe is currently 2nd among tight ends in touchdowns at 4 for the season.

3) On The Run
Currently ranked 27th against the run in the NFL, the Packers have undoubtedly been planning all week for Adrian Peterson. With Peterson the 2nd ranked rusher in the league, this is more-than-likely the main focus of this Packer defense. When the teams last met in Week 1, Peterson rushed for 103 yds on 19 attempts (averaging 5.4 yds per carry) and 1 TD. The outlook is much improved for Peterson having the homefield advantage.

Prediction: With a 100-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver, I expect the Vikings to take this one at home in a 21-17 victory over Green Bay.

Injury Updates:
Vikings - DE Jared Allen (shoulder) is listed as doubtful. LB David Herron (hip) and TE Garrett Mills (ankle) are questionable.

Packers - CB Charles Woodson (toe), LB Desmond Bishop (hamstring), QB Aaron Rodgers (right shoulder) and LT Chad Clifton (knees) are all probable.