Since their first meeting in December 2012, Vikings Safety Harrison Smith and the quarterback of Green Bay Aaron Rodgers have had a lot of mutual respect and rivalry between their two teams.

In that first game, Smith grabbed an interception and recorded eight tackles, but Rodgers still managed to get 286 yards and a score in a 23-14 win.

Last year, the Packers had a glimpse of life without Rodgers, and Smith destroyed them – combining for nine tackles, three interceptions and 1½ sacks in two wins over Green Bay in 2017.

As is often the case with the Packers, they go like Rodgers. In his 11 encounters with the Vikings since 2012, the Packers are 5-1 when Rodgers has a QB rating above 100; When its score is less than 100, the Packers are 2-3. These numbers include last year, where he only sent four assists before being injured, and a Packers playoff victory in 2012.

Smith, who was named defensive player of the week in the NFC for his performance against the 49ers, said he was eager to play Green Bay every year.

"It has tradition," he said. "You can feel that when you go into this stadium and enjoy all the NFL guys who came in front of us and did what it is today."

Over time, Smith learned that playing against Rodgers meant longer coverage times and never felt like before.

"It's hard – he can put the ball where he wants it at any time," he said, "You must be aware that if you think your guy is covered, you must continue to cover him. It makes our life difficult.

He added that if you dream of playing in the NFL, you want games like this. "You're looking forward to these big games and playing rivalry games and division games, and that's one of those and we're thrilled," he said. . "Division games are important. They usually have a big impact when things start to shake towards the end. We understand that.

Diggs connects with cousins

Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs He made a name for himself with the Vikings by making huge games, and that's what got him a $ 72 million contract over five years in the off season.

But for Diggs, there was still a big challenge this season ensuring that he had a good pace with the newly signed quarterback. Kirk Cousins. But it seems like Diggs is somebody Cousins ​​is looking for in the end zone all season long.

While catching three passes for 43 yards in the opening game of the season, Diggs' 22-yard touchdown pass was perfect for a perfect run. He also had a TD reception of 1 meter in pre-season.

Diggs was asked what he thought of knowing Cousins ​​as QB.

"It's funny, for me, it's been raining, it's nothing but work and I like work," he said. "In terms of lowering it, it's all about repetition and games The practice is very different when we go against our databases Training days, OTA, against somebody else .

Preparation for Rodgers, Lambeau

Defensive end Danielle Hunter knows a thing or two about getting to Rodgers, as he fired him two-and-a-half times in 2016. Is he ready for him Sunday?

"Rodgers is definitely a guy who can play games," he said. "You have to go and run a game plan towards him. He is a jammer.

"We just have to respect the game plan and make sure we do everything we need."

Laquon Treadwell Last season, he played one of his best home games against the Packers as he grabbed all three passes for 51 yards. But he is still waiting for his first catch in Green Bay.

"I can not wait to play at Lambeau Field. It's a very traditional place, they have a big fan base and they have a great team, "said Treadwell. "They are pretty strong there. We won a win last year – not talking last year, but we are used to playing in tough crowds.

Hot gophers

Is this the year that Gophers football surprises everyone and makes a big leap from the 5-7 record of last year?

The Gophers certainly did well on Saturday defeating Miami (Ohio) 26-3. Coach P.J. Fleck was not exactly satisfied with the defense, but the offense was excellent.

The Gophers and Iowa are the only teams in the Big Ten West without loss. The division's favorite, Wisconsin, lost Saturday at home to Brigham Young, who was a 22½-point outsider. Maryland, which hosts the Gophers next week, has also lost at home in a previously unwinnable temple.

So, if the Gophers can beat Maryland, their next match, at home against Iowa, will tell the story of the season.

Offensively, the Gophers had real stars on Saturday. The combination of quarterback Zack Annexstad and Tyler Johnson reminds me of Adam Weber-Eric Decker combination that defines so many passing records.

Annexstad completed 12 of 20 passes for 142 yards. Johnson caught nine passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson has 20 assists for 283 yards and five touchdowns in three games.

The big Annexstad pass of the day may have come in the second quarter, when it hit Bryce Williams for a first key on the third and 17th. And what a day Williams had, rushing 33 times for 141 yards and catching that big pass for 35 yards.

Finally, let's not forget the efforts of Emmit Carpenter, who kicked off a 44-yard field and found the goal zone on all his shots.

jottings

• The Vikings salary cap has fallen to around $ 1 million and it is more likely that they will have to work miracles to sign. Anthony Barr to a long-term extension.

• The Vikings' chances of winning the Super Bowl are 8-1, tied with the Rams. The Patriots are 6-1. The Vikings are the favorites to win the NFC 9-2.

• Pro Football Focus ranked third in the Vikings' power standings and ranked its offensive line 18th in the league after Week 1 – in the pre-season it was 28th. PFF wrote: "Pat Elflein can not come back soon enough. … For a line that has other problems initially, she can not afford to add a center to the list. »PFF has been classified Linval Joseph third and Sheldon Richardson Fourth when it came to the defensive line players from inside the first week.

• The Vikings rookie Mike Hughes to play so much in the Sunday slot machine against the Packers? He played 30 clappers in the outside corner of week 1 because Trae Waynes was injured early.

• offensive coordinator of the Vikings John DeFilippo on the Packers defense under the new coordinator Mike Pettine: "They have a very good plan, a difficult scheme. We will have to do an excellent job of communicating and determining which groups of staff are on the ground. "

• Lindsay Whalen first home game as a Gophers women's basketball coach is close to a sold-out sale. There are 12,427 tickets sold and they must reach 14,000 tickets. The Gophers sell discounted tickets at $ 1.

• Edina offensive lineman Quinn Carroll took an offer from Notre Dame on the Gophers. Another local offensive lineman that is attracting a lot of attention is Lakeville North. Bryce Benhart, which is recruited by the Gophers, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Michigan and ranks # 20 among the litigants in the nation.