Packers host undefeated Vikings in key early NFC North showdown

Minnesota (3-0) at Green Bay (2-1)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, CBS

BetMGM NFL Odds: Packers by 2 1/2.

Against the spread: Vikings 3-0, Packers 2-1

Series record: Packers lead 66-58-3

Last meeting: Packers won 33-10 in Minnesota on Dec. 31.

Last week: Vikings beat Houston Texans 34-7 at home; Packers won 30-14 at Tennessee

Vikings offense: Overall (12), rush (13), pass (16), scoring (3)

Vikings defense: Overall (t13), rush (t2), pass (26), scoring (2)

Packers offense: Overall (5), rush (1), pass (22), scoring (t7)

Packers defense: Overall (20), rush (10), pass (22), scoring (12)

Turnover differential: Vikings plus-2; Packers plus-7

Vikings player to watch

RB Aaron Jones. The former Packers standout, in his first season with Minnesota rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries with five catches for 46 yards and a touchdown last week against Houston. After declining to accept a pay cut for the second straight year, Jones was released before free agency and quickly signed with a division rival.

Packers player to watch

S Xavier McKinney has intercepted a pass in each of his first three games with the Packers. The former New York Giant is the first NFL player to have an interception in each of his first three games with a team since Cortland Finnegan did it for the St. Louis Rams in 2012. The only other Packers to have interceptions in their first three games with the team were Doyle Nix (1955) and John Anderson (1978).

Key matchup

Green Bay’s running game against Minnesota’s run defense. Green Bay signed Josh Jacobs to replace Jones as the Packers’ top running back, and he has responded by rushing for 278 yards. With Jacobs leading the way, the Packers are rushing for 204 yards per game to rank first in the NFL. The Vikings are allowing just 71.3 yards rushing per game, putting them in a tie for second in the league. The Packers are gaining 5.5 yards per carry, while the Vikings allow just 3.6 yards per rush.

Key injuries

Vikings WR Jordan Addison (ankle) has missed the past two games. Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. (ankle, quadriceps) and OLB Dallas Turner (knee) were also sidelined for the Houston game. Addison and Turner practiced on a limited basis on Wednesday. Pace did not participate. ... Packers QB Jordan Love has been practicing on a limited basis for a second straight week as he attempts to return from a knee injury that has caused him to miss two straight games. Malik Willis has been filling in for Love. ... Packers OL Jordan Morgan (shoulder) didn't play against the Titans and wasn't practicing early this week. ... Packers CB Carrington Valentine (ankle) has been practicing on a limited basis this week after missing the Titans game.

Series notes

This is Minnesota’s first September game at Green Bay since consecutive early season trips to Lambeau Field in 2018 and 2019. … The road team won each of the two matchups last season, with the Vikings winning 24-10 in Green Bay and the Packers winning 33-10 in Minnesota. … QB Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles tendon during Minnesota’s victory at Green Bay last year, and that ended up being the last game he played for the Vikings. … The Vikings and Packers have split their past eight meetings.

Stats and stuff

The Vikings are 20-0 under coach Kevin O’Connell in games with an even or plus turnover margin. … The Vikings have a plus-55 scoring margin, the second highest in franchise history over the first three games. They were plus-67 in 1975. … Vikings QB Sam Darnold, who leads the NFL with eight TD passes, has his first three-game winning streak since 2021 with Carolina. He has never won four in a row as a starter in his seven-year career. … Vikings WRs Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor are the first pair of teammates in the NFL with a TD reception in each of their team’s first three games of a season since 2018 when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin did so for Tampa Bay. … The Vikings are the third team in the NFL since 1990 with at least five sacks in each of their first three games of a season, joining New Orleans (2001) and Tampa Bay (2000). … The Vikings are the first team in the NFL to allow an average of 10 points per game or fewer and have the NFL’s outright passing TD leader through three games since Green Bay in 1996 with Brett Favre. The Packers won the Super Bowl that season. … The Packers have 612 yards rushing, their highest total through the first three games of a season since 1949. … The Packers have gained at least 375 yards in each of their first three games. That’s the first time they’ve accomplished that feat in the first three games of a season since 2013. … Packers WR Jayden Reed had 10 catches for 172 yards and two TDs in Green Bay’s two games with the Vikings during his rookie season last year. … Packers DL Preston Smith has six sacks over his past six games against the Vikings. The two active players with the most career sacks against the Vikings are Smith (8½) and Packers DL Kenny Clark (8). … The Packers already have intercepted nine passes, matching their 2023 season total.

Fantasy tip

Teams that have Jones in their starting lineup this week have reason for optimism about his first game at Lambeau Field as a visiting player. Jones will be eager to show his former team he still has plenty left in the tank, something he already demonstrated last year while leading the Packers on their playoff drive.