NFL - Minnesota (2-6) at Green Bay (8-0)

ESPN, Tuesday November 15th, 1.30am

The Rodgers’ juggernaut rolls on; a man that accurate under centre, and that talented at reading a defense, should have to play with just one receiver to even up the odds. As it is, there’s usually a wave of green and gold surging downfield, and Rodgers just picks one he likes – he’s also more likely to run himself these days. There’s some hope with Jared Allen leading the pass rush, and with the return of Antoine Winfield in the secondary, but really they’re papering over the cracks of a pass defense that ranks 30^th in the NFL.

Christian Ponder has talent, and looks good in the pocket, but he’ll need Adrian Peterson to tear it up today to earn him the time and opportunity to give the Pack the sort of scare he gave them in Week 7. It’s true the Packers have given up yards on defense this season, but they are still leading the league in INTs – that doesn’t bode well for Ponder who may have to throw the ball to keep Minnesota in the game. Turnovers are always crucial, but when the team taking the ball away is likely to score as a result, you’re in real trouble.

The Vikings will need to get ‘All Day’ going early but, as everyone knows this is the case, don’t be surprised if Ponder rears back and launches one early like when he hit Michael Jenkins in Week 7 – Green Bay does tend to give up the occasional big play. Percy Harvin will go tonight and the passing game will go through him and Peterson catching deep and out of the backfield, and the Pack’s 26^th ranked pass D should be challenged at some point.

Last week I said that giving up so many points on MNF was crazy, but I’m going to do it again. The Green Bay offense has so much depth and variation it can’t be stopped, and their defense is sufficiently opportunistic for Dom Capers’ boys to get after the rookie in a hostile Lambeau Field.

I’ll give the bucketload.

Pick: Packers -13 @ 1.91; -110; 10/11

Pick: 1^st TD Jordy Nelson @ 13.0; 1200; 12/1

Adrian Peterson @ 6.5; 550; 11/2

Pick: Anytime TD Percy Harvin @ 2.88; 187; 15/8