Vikings Notebook: Open door policy keeps things cool at Winter Park

CB Antoine Winfield played for the Vikings when they met the Packers in the 2004 playoffs.  (US Presswire)

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier made sure the doors to the Vikings' facility were open for practice all week in an attempt to simulate the temperatures the team will experience on Saturday night in Green Bay. The temperatures outside in Minneapolis were near single digits this past week, so it got fairly cold inside an apply-named Winter Park.

“We had it at about between 25 and 30 degrees,” Frazier said. “It was a little bit warmer [on the side where there are] no doors, of course. Between 30 and 35 over there.

The forecast for Saturday in Green Bay is a high of 29 but it will be 19 degrees at night when the game will be played. Frazier could not prepare the team for the winds that could blow as much as 11 mph, but he thought it was worthwhile.

“I thought it was good for us,” said Frazier. “It won’t be a complete shock to the system when we walk out on the field at Lambeau. I think it helped us. I think we did the right thing.”

Undefeated in playoffs at Lambeau: The Vikings have played one playoff game against the Packers (2004 in Green Bay), and CB Antoine Winfield is one of three current Vikings who played in that game (DT Kevin Williams and LS Cullen Loeffler are the others). Winfield was asked what the atmosphere was like at Lambeau Field.

“Pretty much the same atmosphere we had here [last week],” Winfield said. “It’s going to be loud. The fans are really rowdy. The guys need to focus in, and not worry about the crowd noise or whatever. We go out there and do the things we need to do, I like our chances.”

Cook wants in on the action: In his three seasons with the Vikings, CB Chris Cook had only played sparingly in two games against Packers QB Aaron Rodgers until Sunday. Cook had three tackles in the game and no passes defended according to the team stats. Cook, who respects Rodgers as a smart and proficient player, would like a few more opportunities this Sunday. 

“I am hoping he will throw towards me more so I can make some plays,” Cook said. “I really didn’t get too much action in that fourth quarter last game. I am hoping he comes my way a little bit more in this game, and hopefully have some type of effect on the game with a few big plays.”

Jefferson looking forward to new experiences: CB A.J. Jefferson will play in his first playoff game Saturday and said he's “ecstatic” about playing. As a California native, the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field will be an experience as well, but he's not worried.

“The cold weather is not going to bother me too much because there is going to be a lot of adrenaline going on with it being a playoff game.” Jefferson said. “It won’t be a problem after you get that first hit.”

Injury report: QB Christian Ponder (elbow) and CB Winfield were listed as questionable for Saturday. LB Tyrone McKenzie (shoulder) is out. 

DE Jared Allen (shoulder), CB Jefferson (ankle) DE George Johnson (quadriceps), P Chris Kluwe (left knee), S Harrison Smith (knee), DE Brian Robison (shoulder) and T Phil Loadholt (knee) are probable.