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SPORTSSaturday 21 November 2015
NFL Preview
Can Vikings stop Packers’ recent control of rivalry?
NEW YORK (AP) — For the per attempt. There’s no dis- game of the NFC East lead tied for second best in the If Tom Brady is standing
last five years, Aaron Rod- puting that his impeccable behind Kirk Cousins’ pass- league. outside Gillette Stadium on
gers and the Green Bay accuracy has not quite ing, but their turnaround The Redskins, like everyone Monday with a welcom-
Packers have had a firm been the same. will be tested by the Caroli- else, have seen Newton’s ing sign for the Buffalo Bills,
grip on this border state The Vikings, though, remain na Panthers, who have the touchdown celebration that’s understandable. The
rivalry with the Minnesota respectfully wary. best record in franchise his- dance — and, like every- New England Patriots have
Vikings that has otherwise won 27 of the last 31 meet-
been remarkably close. In this Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) ings dating to 2000, Brady
Well, the Vikings have a runs against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. The Packers has 24 regular-season wins
prime opportunity to pry need to get production in the running game to ease the pressure on quarterback Aaron against the Bills — more
themselves loose in the NFL Rodgers. But on defense, Green Bay is trending in the right direction at least as it prepares for than against any other op-
on Sunday. Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson. Associated Press ponent in his career — and
“We’re going out there has more touchdown pass-
playing at a very high level. “We don’t take lightly what tory at 9-0. one else, had opinions on es (61) against Buffalo than
Guys know that this is the they’ve done before they Cam Newton has matured it. “Hey, the guy is enter- any team.
year for us,” cornerback got on the three-game into a force as the Pan- taining, man. He’s good Both clubs come off emo-
Captain Munnerlyn said. losing streak. They’re go- thers have won 13 straight for the sport, man,” Red- tional victories at the
“We’ve been doing what ing to come in ready to regular-season games, skins defensive lineman Ja- Meadowlands. Buffalo
we’re supposed to do. It’s play,” said Adrian Peter- scoring at least 27 points in son Hatcher said. “The guy beat the Jets in coach Rex
the time. The time is now.” son, the NFL leading rusher. seven consecutive games. can dance. Just turn the Ryan’s return to where he
The Packers will bring a “They’ve got Aaron Rodg- Carolina’s defense, paced music off, he’ll stop danc- worked for the previous
sputtering offense, injured ers, so they always have a by linebacker Luke Kue- ing. ... That’s what I’m go- six seasons, and New Eng-
important players, and a chance.” chly and cornerback Josh ing to do. I’m going to say land needed a 54-yard
three-game losing streak The Washington Redskins Norman, has helped it to ‘DJ, cut! Enough dancing, field goal by Stephen Gos-
to Minnesota to face a have moved within a a plus-8 turnover margin, Cam.’” tkowski in the dying sec-
well-rounded team that onds to edge the Giants.
has won five games in a When the Cincinnati Ben-
row to take over the NFC gals visit the Arizona Car-
North lead. The Packers dinals, it will be the Carson
are the underdogs for the Palmer show.
first time this season. Palmer was the top over-
The Packers have won nine all pick in the 2003 draft by
of the last 11 matchups, los- the Bengals and had some
ing once in 2012 with one success there, forced a
tie. Rodgers, who missed trade in 2011 (to Oakland)
the tie in 2013 because of and has revived his career
a broken collarbone, has in the Valley of the Sun.
been as responsible for this Palmer ranks second in the
recent run as anyone. NFL in passer rating (108),
Since taking over as the with Cincinnati’s Andy Dal-
starting quarterback in ton, who has started every
2008, Rodgers has a 71.1 game for the Bengals since
completion percentage, Palmer left, ranking fourth
32 touchdown passes and (104.6).
only four interceptions in 15 Cincinnati tasted defeat
games against the Vikings. for the first time last Mon-
Yes, Rodgers has an injury day against Houston. The
to his right shoulder that league switched this game
limited him in practice this to prime time in the U.S.
week. Sure, he has slipped The Bengals play their third
to 18th in the league with straight night game, the
an average of 7.3 yards Cardinals their second.q
