Packers Hope Third Time's a Charm for Stopping Peterson

The Packers are preparing to play the Vikings for the third time in six weeks, which means it's round three versus "AP."

Adrian Peterson has piled up 409 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in Minnesota's two previous meetings with Green Bay.

 "We ain't giving up 200 again," said Clay Matthews with a laugh on Wednesday.  "We have to do a better job.  Our offense puts up what was it 34 points?  We can't give up 37. We'll do a better job this weekend."

After the first game on December 2nd, Packers defenders emphasized they needed to get 11 men to the ball, but after Sunday that tune kind of changed.

"Our guys have had the chance to look and they realize you just can't be over-aggressive," Packers Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers said Thursday.  "You can't let your emotions get the best of you in terms of everybody going to the ball.  Sometimes you have to be patient and hold your leverage on the backside."

"Adrian's a rare guy in terms of his ability to stack in there behind and he's going to go to the open area and he's got the speed to outrun you unless you're very disciplined."

One of the most impressive things about Peterson is how he accumulates yards after contact.  According to ESPN, AP has run for 1,019 yards after contact this season.  Those yards alone would have ranked him as the 16^th best running back for total individual rushing yards this season.  According to Pro Football Focus, Peterson recorded 189 of his total 199 rushing yards after first contact last week against Green Bay.

 "We just have to make tackles," defensive end Ryan Pickett said.  "That's what it comes down to. We got to put our heads down and make the tackles when they're there, and at least hold him until somebody else can get there."

Last week the Packers did stop No. 28 for no gain or negative yards 10 times, but it was the seven runs of at least 10 yards and four carries of 20+ yards that proved to be back breakers.

"The vision he has is amazing," said defensive end Mike Neal.  "He can see stuff before you can see it.  You just have to try and think in Adrian Peterson's eyes.  What is he looking at?  What does he see?  When you start looking from that perspective then you can understand what he's looking to do.  That helps you prepare for him better."

After studying the film the Packers are ready to put what they have learned into the game Sunday.

"We need to play a little smarter in regard to scheme," Matthews said.  "Not as far as the plays we call, but as far as where we fit, especially with such a dynamic runner like Adrian.  Hopefully the third time's a charm."