GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Five things to watch for in the Week 12 Sunday afternoon matchup between the Green Bay Packers (5-5) and Minnesota Vikings (2-8) at Lambeau Field:
1. Scott Tolzien: Take 2
With Aaron Rodgers not yet ready to return three weeks after breaking his left collarbone, coach Mike McCarthy decided to stick with Tolzien as the interim starter. Tolzien has made a few of the mistakes that would be expected of a quarterback who was just recently called up from the practice squad, most notable his five interceptions in two games. But McCarthy praised Tolzien for completing every long pass that was attempted in the loss to the Giants. McCarthy even went as far as to say that he never remembered a quarterback who connected on every one of the deep throws in a game. Tolzien certainly isn't settling for the short routes, as his 339 passing yards in 24 completions against New York proved.
So far in Tolzien's time on the field -- which also includes all but the opening drive two weeks ago against Philadelphia, his performance can be summarized as being positive if not for two or three throws. Expectations should be low for a quarterback with Tolzien's lack of experience, but the interceptions are what's haunted him. If he avoids a multiple-interception game Sunday and continues to be productive down the field, the situation will look a lot better for the Packers while they wait for Rodgers to finish healing.
The Vikings' passing defense isn't good, so Tolzien should be able to get comfortable in the pocket. Minnesota is ranked 29th in the NFL in passing yards allowed, 20th in interceptions and 24th in sacks.
2. Eddie Lacy vs. eight in the box
It's been a challenging couple weeks for Lacy. The rookie running back who was gashing defenses at the midway point of the season has found out very quickly how different everything looks without Rodgers. Whereas Green Bay would have previously loved to see a safety set up near the line of scrimmage when Rodgers was available, now it's spelling trouble for the Packers. Basically, it's a situation of opposing teams now daring McCarthy to let Tolzien try to win the game with his arm.
It's up to Lacy to make the Vikings pay if that defensive strategy is used in this game, which it likely will be. There's no one to block the extra defender in the box, so if the offensive line does its job, it's Lacy versus a safety. Lacy's longest run in the past two games has been 11 yards, so it's safe to say that Lacy has been losing those battles. But, if Lacy is able to beat that safety, there would be a lot of room in front of him to break a much-needed long run.
Minnesota is 14th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed but is ranked 26th in run defense by ProFootballFocus.com.
3. Greg Jennings' return to Lambeau Field
Finally, the game that Jennings undoubtedly circled on his calendar when the NFL schedule was announced in April. It was a month earlier that Jennings had hopped across state lines and joined his former team's division rival. Between his comments about the Packers as an organization and his remarks about Rodgers during the offseason, Jennings seemed to lose plenty of fans who used to cheer for him. Now, he'll find out just how people in Wisconsin feel about him, and I have a feeling it won't be pretty.
Jennings is battling an Achilles injury that kept him from playing in the Vikings' game last weekend, but it's a given that he's going to be extra motivated Sunday. Somewhat surprisingly, Jennings doesn't lead Minnesota in receiving yards. He's tied for the team lead in receptions, but it's Jerome Simpson with the most yards. Jennings was almost completely shut out of the game when these two teams met four weeks ago, finishing with just one catch for nine yards. Christian Ponder will definitely be looking for Jennings early and often to try to get him going.
4. It's still all about Adrian Peterson
If Lacy starts getting frustrated with the way defenses are approaching him, he doesn't have to look far for a running back who can very much relate. Peterson continues to be the focal point of how teams try to stop the Vikings' offense, and with good reason. Considering the up and down (but mostly down) quarterback play in Minnesota, there's been little reason to worry about Ponder, Josh Freeman or Matt Cassel leading the Vikings to victory.
Peterson is nowhere near his 2,000-plus yard season of a year ago, as he currently sits at just 851 yards with six games to go. In the last meeting, Green Bay held up well against Peterson, as he finished with 13 carries for 60 yards. But that was at a time when the Packers were playing at a franchise-best pace in run defense. Now, three games later, Green Bay has fallen apart in that area and have dropped to ranking No. 13 in the NFL.
With Johnny Jolly doubtful, Nick Perry out, Sam Shields questionable and Clay Matthews playing in a cast, the Packers' defense is vulnerable. This will be a big game to find out if Green Bay can get back to the way it was performing in stopping the run or if recent games end up being a sign of things to come.
5. Kick return / Kick coverage
No team in the NFL has been as bad in kick return as the Packers. Ranked last in the league in kick return average, Green Bay was even worse last weekend in New York. All three times that Micah Hyde took the ball out of the end zone, the Packers' field position began before the 20-yard line. Special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum hasn't faulted Hyde, with the problems lying mostly on the blocking in front of him. Hyde has at least done what Jeremy Ross couldn't earlier in the season, and that's secure the ball. But sooner or later Green Bay needs to break a kick or two. If that doesn't happen, getting the ball beyond the 20-yard line consistently would be some improvement.
The Packers also have to worry about their kick coverage. In the game at Minnesota, Cordarrelle Patterson nearly stepped on the back of the goal line before exploding for a 109-yard kick return for a touchdown. Special teams have been an issue for Green Bay all season, and that needs to get turned around.
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