Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers passes against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 28, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. The Packers defeated the Bears 38-17.Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
You might say the Minnesota Vikings are pondering a quarterbacking dilemma.
Their veteran starter, Matt Cassel, is gone for the season with a broken left foot. First-round draft pick Teddy Bridgewater took over in his first pro start last Sunday and performed extremely well in a 41-28 win over Atlanta. But Bridgewater sprained his left ankle and had to leave late in that game.
That could leave Christian Ponder, the former starter and a 2011 first-rounder, as the starter Thursday night when the Vikings visit Green Bay.
Even worse for Minnesota (No. 23 in the AP Pro32) is that the Packers (No. 11) and Aaron Rodgers seemed to find their mojo in a romp at Soldier Field last weekend.
None of this bodes well for the Vikings (2-2), a 91/2-point underdog to the Packers (2-2).
"If he can play, we'll play him," coach Mike Zimmer said of Bridgewater.
PACKERS, 33-16
No. 26 New York Jets (plus 61/2) at No. 5 San Diego
Anyone who can figure out this line, please clue us in.
Best Bet: CHARGERS, 27-13
No. 25 Cleveland (plus 2) at No. 30 Tennessee
Losing faith quickly in the Titans, gaining some in the Browns.
Upset Special: BROWNS, 20-19
No. 4 Arizona (plus 7) at No. 3 Denver
A chance for the unbeaten Cardinals to make a huge statement. Sorry …
BRONCOS, 27-17
No. 2 Cincinnati (pick-em) at No. 13 New England
A chance for the unbeaten Bengals to make a huge statement. Down goes the other spotless team.
PATRIOTS, 19-17
No. 14 Kansas City (plus 61/2) at No. 9 San Francisco
Alex Smith returns to the Bay Area with the Chiefs on the rise. But so might be the 49ers.
49ERS, 24-23
No. 16 Chicago (plus 21/2) at No. 17 (tie) Carolina
Two teams coming off weak performances. Something seems very wrong with the Panthers' defence.
BEARS, 27-21
No. 17 Pittsburgh (minus 61/2) at No. 32 Jacksonville
Two more teams coming off weak performances; this could be spot for the first Jaguars win. We're not that brave.
STEELERS, 27-23
No. 15 Houston (plus 4) at No. 12 Dallas
For the Lone Star state championship.
COWBOYS, 28-20
No. 1 Seattle (minus 7) at No. 28 Washington
For the Washington (state versus city) championship. Fresher Super Bowl champs romp.
SEAHAWKS, 33-16
No. 6 Baltimore (plus 31/2) at No. 10 Indianapolis
Maybe the weekend's best matchup. The first of four road games in five weeks for the Ravens.
COLTS, 31-30
No. 20 Atlanta (plus 4) at No. 19 New York Giants
The Giants have turned it around, while the Falcons' O-line is an injury-ravaged mess.
GIANTS, 28-17
No. 29 St. Louis (plus 7) at No. 8 Philadelphia
Inconsistent as they are, Eagles can handle undermanned Rams.
EAGLES, 33-23
No. 27 Tampa Bay (plus 101/2) at No. 21 New Orleans
Angry Saints won't be as charitable to the Bucs as the Steelers were.
SAINTS, 27-20
No. 24 Buffalo (plus 7) at No. 7 Detroit
Would like to have seen EJ Manuel getting more of a chance.
LIONS, 26-16
2014 record: Against spread: This week (9-3); Season (27-29-3). Straight up: This week (9-3); Season (37-23)
Best Bet: 2-2 against spread, 3-1 straight up.
Upset Special: 4-0 against spread, 3-1 straight up.