The end of a three-game home stretch gives the Minnesota Vikings a chance to build momentum heading into two straight road games.
Minnesota has won three of its past five games as it continues its development in coach Mike Zimmer's first season. The New York Jets would like any momentum they can get in what might be coach Rex Ryan's last season.
The Vikings (5-7) host New York (2-10) Sunday. The Jets have lost two in a row and 10 of their past 11 games as they seek an answer at quarterback. Here are five things to keep an eye on during Sunday's game:
1. The angry dude
Sunday's game will be the return to Minnesota for Percy Harvin -- called an "angry dude sometimes" by Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway this week. Harvin will certainly be motivated to face his former team. He played one game against the Vikings last season in Seattle but is now fully healthy and a big part of his team's offense.
It will also be curious to see how Harvin is treated by the Minnesota fans at TCF Bank Stadium. Harvin was one of the most exciting players in the league when he was with the Vikings, but issues behind the scenes eventually forced the team to move on from the versatile playmaker, who wore out his welcome in Seattle in less than two years.
Harvin has acclimated quickly to his new team. In five games with the Jets, he has 19 catches for 182 yards and run the ball 17 times for 96 yards. In his second game ever with New York, Harvin had 11 catches for 129 yards.
But he also has just two catches in his past two games. With the Jets focused on the running game last week, Harvin had six runs for 27 yards. How angry and involved will Harvin be on Sunday?
2. Stop the run
New York certainly doesn't lack an identity. The Jets are the league's second-ranked run offense and ran 49 times for 277 yards in a loss Monday night to the Miami Dolphins. The 49 runs were the third-most by a team in an NFL game this season and the 277 yards were second-most by a single team in a game.
If there's been a weak point in Minnesota's improved defense, it's been against the run. The Vikings allowed 178 rushing yards in last week's win against the Carolina Panthers and are now 24th in the league in run defense.
Like Carolina, New York will present a challenge and brings a varied attack with two running backs offering different styles and also an offense using screens with Harvin and read-option plays. Chris Ivory is a big, bruising back that is hard to bring down. The Jets also have Chris Johnson, who still has speed and had a 47-yard run last week.
3. If not, it's Geno
As Zimmer said this week, Minnesota will have to bring it's "big boy pads" against New York's rushing attack. If it can do so, the Jets will have to rely on Geno Smith, who owns the league's worst quarterback rating among qualified leaders. Smith is in his second go-around this season as New York's starter and can't establish any consistency in his second NFL season.
While the Jets stuck with the running game last week after rushing for 210 yards in the first half, Ryan said he simply went with what was working. But the tactic also kept the game out of Smith's hands. Smith only attempted 13 passes.
Of course, New York lost and ran 20 times for 67 yards in the second half. When they needed plays in the passing game, Smith couldn't help the Jets. He completed 7 of his 13 passes for 65 yards and was intercepted once. After throwing 21 interceptions as a rookie, Smith has 11 interceptions in 10 games this season.
Minnesota owns the league's fourth-ranked pass defense and could tee off on Smith if the running game isn't working for the Jets.
4. Scaling the wall
On the other side, the Vikings are putting more and more on their quarterback, rookie Teddy Bridgewater. While Smith is looking for any sort of dependability, Bridgewater is showing his growth. Bridgewater completed a season-high 71.4 percent of his passes last week and threw two touchdowns for the second straight game. He also looks more comfortable moving in the pocket or tucking the ball and running when the opportunity exists.
As Bridgewater noted, this is the point of the season when his college season would nearly be over and when rookies sometimes hit the "rookie wall." Zimmer downplayed the thought of a rookie wall when it comes to players who are playing every game and Bridgewater only seems to be getting stronger as the season progresses.
Minnesota seemingly can rely on its quarterback, while the Jets appear to be lessening the impact of their quarterback.
The Vikings have had production from several rookies -- though it looks like running back Jerick McKinnon, linebacker Anthony Barr and cornerback Jabari Price won't play Sunday -- and they will need to scale their respective rookie walls as Minnesota continues its growth this season.
5. A home-field advantage?
A December game outdoors in Minnesota is bound to bring some weather challenges. The Vikings two-year stay at outdoor TCF Bank Stadium will include more games in cold weather like last week against Carolina. Sunday's forecast calls for temperatures in the low 30s and the possibility of snow and sleet.
The Panthers looked to have no desire to play in the cold weather and Zimmer revealed Friday that there was a 20-degree difference in sideline temperature last week. Minnesota was enjoying the warmer side on the north sideline in the sun, while Carolina was in the shade.
Minnesota can run its home record to 4-3 with a win Sunday against New York, though the Jets likely won't be as bothered by the weather as the Panthers. In the first year at the University of Minnesota's stadium, the Vikings can assure themselves of at least a .500 home record with a win. Minnesota could also go a long way to proving it can play outdoors in the elements and has an advantage at TCF Bank Stadium.
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