We're not far away from a monumental game between the Minnesota Vikings (4-6) and Green Bay Packers (6-3-1). In some ways it presents a manageable opportunity for the Vikings to pull off a surprise win. In other ways it presents one of the bigger challenges of the season.

The Packers' defense has been stout this season save for a couple games. They rank seventh in the NFL in points allowed per game (19.7) and sixth in yards allowed per game (292.1).

The team's 195.3 pass yards allowed per contest stands as perhaps the most daunting challenge. Minnesota averages 193.0 passing yards per game this season, and that includes games in which backup quarterback Carson Wentz started.

The Vikings' passing production takes a precipitous drop with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback so far this season. McCarthy has completed 74 of 140 passing attempts for 842 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Over the season he's averaging 6.0 yards per attempt and 168.4 yards per game with a QBR 26.5 out of 100.

Despite the lack of explosivity from the passing game the Vikings have managed to score 19.2 points per game in games McCarthy starts, including 27 points each against the first game against the Chicago Bears and a recent game against the Detroit Lions.

Packers quarterback Jordan Love is having a better season than McCarthy but struggling of late. Despite having amassed 2,421 yards and 15 touchdowns with just three interceptions, Love has been held under 200 yards in each of the last two games. The Green Bay signal caller put up just 4.9 yards per attempt in a 10-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with 176 yards. He followed the game with a 174 yard performance against the New York Giants.

Current trends favor a lower scoring game for both teams. Minnesota has done well enough defensively to keep the team in games. The Vikings rank No. 16 in scoring defense this season allowing 23.2 points per game. A 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers inflates the team's totals despite playing well overall.

So, what kind of game can we expect? We are more likely to see a defensive struggle than a shootout. That said, with the likely increased emphasis on offense for both teams we could see another game in the 20's, like Minnesota's 27-24 wins over the Bears and the Vikings. One can probably expect another game in that range or close to it when the two teams play on Sunday.