Minnesota is 5-5-1 in the border battle in the Mike Zimmer era, and Monday night can't come soon enough for amped-up players and fans.
The Packers could leave U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday night as NFC North Division champions. Or the Vikings could clinch a playoff spot and preserve their outside chance at a third division title in coach Mike Zimmer's sixth season.
These high stakes must be what NFL schedule-makers envisioned when placing this storied rivalry on a Monday night in late December.
The prime-time stage feels right to Vikings nose tackle Linval Joseph, the two-time team captain who has experienced the joy and pain of a 5-5-1 record against the Packers since the Vikings hired Zimmer in 2014.