Needless to say, the Minnesota Vikings need to start winning games to push for an NFC playoff spot. Week 12 is a big one, compounded by the rivalry with the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings offense faces a tough challenge against Green Bay's top-end defense, but potential returns from Ryan Kelly and Jonathan Greenard only stand to help Minnesota on Sunday. 

Here are three matchups to watch on Sunday. 

Jumpstarting the Vikings passing offense

Whatever way Kevin O' Connell gameplans a revival of the Vikings' pass game, it should include some easy middle-of-the-field throws off play action or matchups against Green Bay's linebackers. While Minnesota doesn't attack the MOF much with an 18% rate, which is good for 23rd in the NFL, the Packers have faced the second-highest rate over the middle at 25.5% and are 27th in the NFL in EPA on MOF throws at 0.46. 

Intermediate throws are a must for Minnesota. With the sixth-highest percentage in that area at 25.6%, J.J. McCarthy will face the second-worst defense against intermediate throws, with an EPA of 0.73. The ball must come out fast against this pass rush, which doesn't blitz to create pressure (23.1%, 30th). 

Green Bay against Minnesota's two-high safety looks

While the Packers are 21st in throw percentage against two-high safety looks, Jordan Love and the Green Bay offense have been extremely efficient facing those looks. With an EPA of 0.21 against two safeties, the Packers rank fifth in the NFL. Pair that with Minnesota's league-high rate of two high safeties at 60% and it will be a chess match of getting Green Bay to go against their tendencies and throw the football more. 

As far as the Vikings' success in those looks, they are 12th in the NFL with an EPA of 0.00. Oh, and speaking of middle of the field percentages, Minnesota ranks 29th in MOF throws on defense (24%) and second-to-last in EPA allowed on MOF throws at 0.60.

Brian Flores' pressure plan

With a league-high 50.1% blitz rate, Brian Flores isn't afraid to send the house against the run or pass. The Packers have faced blitzes 30.6% of the time (18th in the NFL), but have been extremely efficient with the third-highest EPA at 0.35 against the blitz. When Love isn't blitzed, the Packers have the highest EPA per play in the NFL at 0.23.

However, if Flores can create pressure, the Packers' offensive EPA drops to 22nd in the league at -0.54. The Vikings' defense has the third-best EPA when generating pressure at -0.63. Remember, positive EPA numbers are only good on offense and negative numbers on defense. The pass rush will need to get home, as the Vikings own the league-worst EPA on deep throws at 1.35. OUCH.