3 Biggest X-Factors For Packers to Win NFC North Showdown vs Vikings

The Green Bay Packers are firing on all cylinders right now, entering Week 10 of the season with a record of 6-3 on the year.

Green Bay will be hosting the Minnesota Vikings in a massive NFC North showdown this week. This will be a rematch of Week 1, when the Vikings took the win.

As for the Vikings, they have now lost two straight games, holding a record of 6-2 on the year. Minnesota has the best defense in the NFL, which could give the Packers all sorts of issues this week.

Here are three of the biggest X-Factors for the Packers to take down the Vikings this week at home:

1. Can the Running Game Please Stand Up?

With Josh Jacobs out for the next few weeks, the Packers desperately need the running game to get going. Green Bay has done enough to win games, but Minnesota has a strong defense, and this team can't be one-dimensional to get a victory.

Kaleb Johnson is likely to get the brunt of carries for the Packers this week, and if he can give them something, it could help out greatly. The Packers will continue to try to run the ball, and it could be the difference between them coming out on top this week.

2. Pressure the QB

Veteran Kirk Cousins is expected to play for the Vikings this week after the team traded for him at the deadline. Cousins did very well for the Las Vegas Raiders this season, and now he will be tasked with getting the Minnesota offense going strong.

But no matter who is under center, the Packers' defense has been playing well lately, and they need to continue getting into the backfield to disrupt plays. Neither Cousins nor Carson Wentz are overly strong runners, with Wentz being a little better, giving the Packers' defense a chance to strike in this game.

3. Jordan Love Keeps Going

Jordan Love has played like an MVP this season for the Packers, doing everything that this team has asked of him. While the running game and offensive line has been figuring itself out, Love has carried this team to multiple wins this season.

Love is currently leading the league in passing yard entering this week, with the veteran throwing for 2,618 yards with 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. For the Packers to take down this tough Minnesota defense, Love will need to put together another strong game, much like he had in Week 1.