Know the Green Bay Packers key contributors on offense, defense and special teams heading into the first regular season game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
For the second week in a row, the Vikings are heading into a game with Head Coach Mike Zimmer opting to avoid naming a starting quarterback.
Shaun Hill's solid, mistake-free start at Tennessee, paired with a strong defensive performance, helped the Vikings open the season with a 25-16 win.
Now, either Hill or Sam Bradford, who joined the team on Sept. 3 through a trade, will open the first game in U.S. Bank Stadium history.
Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy said Green Bay's preparations are slightly lengthened but not drastically altered because each week involves covering unexpected situations as well.
"You have to be prepared for everybody you anticipate being on the 46-man roster. I'm not trying to just throw water on it, either. The quarterback position is the most important position in football. It just lengths your process. We have to make sure we're ready for Sam and Shaun."
Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is out for the season because of a dislocated knee he suffered in practice on Aug. 30. McCarthy and Rodgers said they felt bad for Bridgewater.
"You don't want to ever see a player get hurt," McCarthy said. "I don't know Teddy personally but he has an outstanding reputation. I know throughout our football team he's very well-respected, very well-liked. I know Aaron has said nothing but excellent things about Teddy."
Rodgers added:
"I feel really bad for him. I've gotten to know Teddy a little bit over the last couple of years, and he's a great kid, a great competitor. [He's] really an ascending player, and I felt terrible for him. I haven't heard what the final injury was, but for him to be carted off and the ambulance, you knew it was pretty serious.
"Any time a quarterback in the fraternity goes down, it's tough, and we all think about him," Rodgers continued. "But being in the division, playing against him a number of times now, I have a lot of respect for Teddy and the way he conducts himself. He's a great guy, and I wish him a speedy recovery."
Here are other highlights from comments made by McCarthy and Packers players in sessions with media members:
McCarthy on Bradford:
"Sam is a good football player, a very good quarterback. He can make all the throws, he's very cerebral. I always felt he was prepared for what you were trying to do against him so I'd think he'd be a quick study and potentially be ready to go this Sunday."
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on weekly preparations and the atmosphere he expects:
"That to me is a challenge that gets up every Monday morning, when you're putting to bed the previous opponent and looking forward to the next opponent. The toughest part about our league and our sport is that we don't play 82 games or 162 games – not that we'd want to, but there's just a break between games that's difficult, especially after a tough game. But, in that week is where you really get to rev yourself up about the challenge of facing a new opponent, a new defense, new defensive coordinator and new environment sometimes. It's exciting doing what we do.
"We have a great opportunity if you look at this week – new stadium, which is fantastic, I've heard; division opponent; Sunday Night Football, the ratings are going to be huge. A lot of people are going to be watching. I mean, this is what we do what we do – for the challenge and the thrill of putting our skills on display."
Packers receiver Jordy Nelson on the Vikings defense:
"They're great, they fly to the ball, make plays. Coach Zimmer is a great defensive coach, a defensive mind. They're very smart. They understand how to attack an offense and what they need to do to be successful, so it will be another grind it out game like it always is."
Packers tight end Jared Cook on Harrison Smith:
"I think he's a good safety. They have him in the box a lot. He's been their guy for a minute, so we've just got to get on him, especially when he comes down to play man and attack leverage and get over him."
Packers safety Morgan Burnett on Adrian Peterson:
"A great running back like Adrian Peterson, it's going to take 11 men getting to the football. You can't hang your hat [on recent success] because he's the type of back that can bust out with a big gain at any time. He's one of the greatest to play the game."