National Football League notebook: Tough schedule awaits Vikings

Win on the road at TCF Bank Stadium or fall two games behind the streaking Vikings in the division with six games remaining in the 2015 season.

Another awful game by the Green Bay Packers tackles, David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga.

Applying pressure: After failing to record a sack during their three-game losing streak, the Packers turned up the heat on second-year man Bridgewater, sacking him six times and pressuring him relentlessly. Even though Mason Crosby and the defense were the stars of the game for Green Bay. I don’t think he’s had 22 carries in a while. Just like the Patriots’ division foes, the Vikings and the rest of the NFC North keep getting locked into “we do what do” instead of giving the Packers’ a real changeup. During an 80-yard touchdown drive at the end of the first half, Rodgers threw deep to Jeff Janis on third-and-6 from his own 14 and drew a 50-yard pass interference penalty, then hit Randall Cobb on a 10-yard scoring toss with six seconds left. You know the Packers will be ready. Then, at the outset of the fourth quarter, Rodgers found Jones alone in the back corner of the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown pass that (with a two-point conversion) put the Packers ahead 27-13.

On offense, wide receiver James Jones had just three catches total in the previous three losses. Rodgers, who missed the tie in 2013 because of a broken collarbone, has been as responsible for this recent run as anyone. “When we did (contain him), we seemed to hurt ourselves with penalties”.

Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn was right to the point.

GB QB Aaron Rodgers finally had something to smile about. They were absolutely ferocious when it came to rushing the passer, and the linemen for the Vikings never stood a chance against them. And Eddie Lacy was bouncing around out there like a bowling ball at times and kept his legs moving.

The Green Bay Packers bounce back from three straight losses with a 31-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

“I think he certainly played tough, managed his area of responsibility I think very well”, Caldwell said. The Carolina Panthers go 8-0 after a win over the Green Bay Packers 37-29. “They did a great job containing us as a group today”.

Adrian Peterson has 195 carries for 961 yards and 5 touchdowns, along with 19 catches for 138 yards. Teddy Bridgewater looked like a defeated player on the final possession of the game because the Packers had been in his face so much throughout the day. “(Tretter) is as good as they come preparation wise”, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. Their defensive dominance allowed them more time to figure out what ails their offense. We didn’t play our best offensively, defensively, or on special teams. “We were out of sync, out of whack”.

Coming up on Thursday, we’ve got a huge NFC North matchup looming between the Bears and the Packers. James Jones with that #ToeDragSwag.

In the wild-card race, the Kansas City Chiefs took a big step forward by beating the San Diego Chargers 33-3, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are also in good shape. We made them today. And when the Packers needed a play, they made one. The Packers and Vikings meet again in a Week 17 game that has “Sunday Night Football” flex game written all over it.

The Vikings took the lead when Teddy Bridgewater connected with Kyle Rudolph avoiding the tackle and staying on his feet for a 47-yard score, making it 6-3 Vikings.

Rudolph said if Minnesota wants to accomplish its goal, it must win the head-to-head games on a prime-stage.

“We’ve got to fix this”.