With little at stake, Packers and Vikings take aim at goals
A pair of division rivals have differing agendas as they prepare for their regular-season finale.
The Green Bay Packers want to get healthy heading into the playoffs, where they already have clinched a wild-card berth. This weekend's game will do nothing to change their No. 7 NFC playoff seed.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings want to put a final stamp on this season as they look toward 2026. They see the final game of this season as an opportunity for players to make a case for prominent roles next season.
So, in the big picture, Sunday's game between Green Bay (9-6-1) and Minnesota (8-8) in Minneapolis means little in the standings but could mean a lot for both teams and their futures, be it short term or long term.
"We're still in that wildly significant time where any and all reps and experience (matter)," said Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, whose team is on a four-game winning streak. "It's another home game at U.S. Bank Stadium. All those things are important."
Nothing is more important than health for the Packers.
Green Bay has no shot at the NFC North division title after the Chicago Bears claimed that last week. The Packers know they will open the playoffs on the road next weekend, with the opponent and starting time to be determined.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love participated in practice to start the week but remained in the league's concussion protocol. Backup Malik Willis, who has started with Love out, was limited to start the week with a shoulder injury.
The dual injuries prompted Green Bay to sign quarterback Desmond Ridder to its practice squad on Wednesday. Ridder, 26, has not played this season but has appeared in 25 games with 18 starts across parts of three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur was tight-lipped when asked about his starting quarterback for Sunday.
"Here's what I told the team," LaFleur said. "We have 53 spots on our roster. You can have two call-ups. You have 48 dressed on game day. So there's going to be some starters that aren't going to play. Shoot, they may not suit up, they might suit up. And then you're going to have some starters that are going to play. So, basically, you guys will find out on Sunday who's playing."
There is far less mystery in Minnesota, where J.J. McCarthy is set to make his 10th start in his first season of NFL action. McCarthy missed all of last season because of a knee injury.
The 22-year-old has shown flashes of his ability this season, but he also has struggled with consistency. He has passed for 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in his first nine games, and the regular-season finale could help the Vikings determine how much competition they want to bring in to challenge for the starting role in 2026.
McCarthy's top target is Justin Jefferson, who needs 53 receiving yards to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth straight season. Jefferson also is looking for his first touchdown since Nov. 2.
Packers running back Josh Jacobs is 71 rushing yards shy of a 1,000-yard campaign, but he has dealt with a knee injury in recent weeks and could be a candidate to rest. He was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Backup running back Emanuel Wilson has 452 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the season.