nfl January 4, 2013 2:01pm EST

NFL playoffs 2013: Vikings-Packers NFC wild-card playoff preview

NFL playoffs: Wild-card and divisional schedules, matchups

An analytical first look at Saturday’s NFL wild-card playoff matchup (8 p.m. ET, NBC) between the Minnesota Vikings (10-6) and Green Bay Packers (11-5):

NFL playoffs 2013: The Packers have been unable to contain Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson. (AP Photo)

Story lines

Adrian Peterson rushed for 409 yards in two regular-season meetings against the Packers, including a 199-yard effort Sunday that helped the Vikings earn a playoff berth. He can expect to stay busy at Lambeau Field as the Vikings battle the elements and try to keep working over the Green Bay defense. While Peterson is deservedly dominating headlines for his remarkable stretch of stellar play, the Packers’ unquestioned offensive superstar—Aaron Rodgers—looks like a quarterback possessed. After putting up four TD passes against the Vikings in the Metrodome, he has 10 in his past three games. His receiving corps should be at full strength Saturday, so look for him to attack the Vikings’ secondary early and often.

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Vikings player to watch

Christian Ponder. Peterson’s hard running facilitated the passing game for Ponder in his duel with Rodgers, and the second-year quarterback (16-for-28, 234 yards, 3 TDs) responded very well. He struggled, however, in Week 13 at Lambeau, throwing two costly interceptions. No matter how productive Peterson is, Ponder must protect the ball and make a few more big plays if the Vikings are to pull the road upset.

Packers players to watch

Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. Jennings and Nelson were healthy together Sunday as Rodgers’ top two wideouts, and it seemed like old times. Jennings (two TDs) hurt the Vikings with his exceptional route-running and run-after-catch skills while Nelson stretched the field with a critical 73-yard catch. There’s good chance they’ll be rejoined by second-year speedster Randall Cobb, who was inactive in Week 17 with an ankle injury. Throw in James Jones, who led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns this season, and the Packers can create matchup problems in single coverage across the board.

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Matchup to watch

Vikings' pass rush vs. Packers’ offensive line. As good as Rodgers and his receivers were in picking apart the Vikings’ secondary, the Packers’ pass-protection issues continued, highlighted by a critical strip sack that changed the course of Sunday’s game. The Packers’ tackles in particular struggled, as defensive ends Everson Griffen (three), Jared Allen (one) and Brian Robison (one) combined for five sacks. Rodgers’ mobility can bail him out of much trouble, but he needs to be kept cleaner for Green Bay to fully execute its explosive offense.
