Minnesota @ Green Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 23, 2017 ) Minnesota 16, Green Bay 0

The status of Aaron Rodgers may not be determined until close to kickoff on Sunday, when the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North clash. Rodgers injured his left knee during the season-opening contest against Chicago before returning to engineer a second-half comeback in the 24-23 victory.

Rodgers admits the knee is "pretty sore" and missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday, but he remains hopeful of being ready to go on Sunday - even if his mobility is limited. "The small circle I was moving in Sunday night, if I can get back to that, hopefully a little better than that, without pain, then hopefully I'll be able to go," Rodgers told reporters. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer expects Rodgers to play, saying that "he walks on water, so I'm sure he's going to play," while safety Harrison Smith asserts even a limited Rodgers would represent a big challenge for the defense. "It's difficult to play against the guy no matter what, so that's what we're preparing for," Smith told reporters. "Whether he's going to stay in the pocket or move around, he's tremendously successful doing both."

TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Packers -1. O/U: 46.5

ABOUT THE VIKINGS (1-0): Kirk Cousins passed for 244 yards and two touchdowns in his team debut and wide receiver Adam Thielen had six receptions for 102 yards as Minnesota opened with a 24-16 victory over San Francisco. Smith led a strong defensive push with seven tackles (two for loss), one interception, one fumble recovery and one sack while earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time in his career. "He's really smart," Zimmer said. "He's got great vision. I think that's a big part of it - he sees things, he anticipates. He's a tough guy. He's versatile. He can do a lot of things."

ABOUT THE PACKERS (1-0): Second-year pro DeShone Kizer will draw the start if Rodgers can't play after tossing twice as many interceptions (22) as touchdown passes (11) in 15 starts for Cleveland last season. Wide receiver Randall Cobb caught a game-winning 75-yard touchdown pass with 2:13 left against the Bears while hauling in nine passes for 142 yards, perhaps setting the stage for a big season after failing to reach 700 yards in each of the last two years. Mike Daniels' next sack will allow him to match Cullen Jenkins (29 from 2004-10) for the most by a Packers defensive tackle since 1982.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Vikings swept last season's two-game series and have won four of the last five meetings.

2. Minnesota RB Dalvin Cook recorded 95 total yards (40 rushing, 55 receiving) against the 49ers in his first regular-season game since tearing his left ACL more than 11 months ago.

3. Rodgers' winning TD pass to Cobb was his 10th of at least 75 yards since 2008, tying him with Eli Manning of the New York Giants for most in the NFL over that span.

PREDICTION: Vikings 30, Packers 16