Adrian Peterson, Minnesota RB
The perennial All-Pro is key to everything the Vikings do and is expected to return from a foot injury that kept him out of last week’s win against Philadelphia. Despite missing that game, he’s still second in the NFL with 1,221 rushing yards this year.
Shaun Prater, Minnesota CB
If Xavier Rhodes isn’t recovered from his ankle injury, Prater will get the start against his former team. The Bengals drafted Prater in the fifth round in 2012, but he was among the final cuts this season. Look for the Bengals to try to get A.J. Green opposite Prater as much as possible.
Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati LB
The NFL’s leading tackler will be going against perhaps the league’s best tackle-breaker in Adrian Peterson. Tackling has been an issue of late for the Bengals, but it rarely is for Burfict.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cincinnati RB
Minnesota has one of the best pass-rushing defensive lines in the league, and Green-Ellis can give his offensive line an assist in slowing them down with some productive runs.
Brandon Tate, Cincinnati KR
Minnesota has the NFL’s leading kick returner in Cordarrelle Patterson, but over the last few weeks Tate has been as good as he’s ever been since coming to Cincinnati. And on a day when rain and wind are forecast, Tate could be instrumental in setting up the offense with some shorter fields.
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