Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has carved up any defense in his way this season, a harsh reality for the Vikings’ 30th-ranked pass defense entering Monday night’s game at Lambeau Field.

If there’s a defensive blueprint for stopping Rodgers, the runaway MVP favorite with a 129.1 passer rating, it’s probably tucked away somewhere in his basement.

For the Vikings (2-6) to upset the Packers (8-0), they must accentuate their defensive strengths from their Oct. 23 game against Green Bay – stout third-down defense, pressure off the edge – and hope the offense can sustain drives.

The Packers were just 2 of 8 on third-down conversions in a 33-27 win at the Metrodome, including three consecutive three-and-outs before running back James Starks gashed the Vikings’ defense for 55 yards on the ground in the final 2-1/2 minutes.

For nearly a quarter, Rodgers was mortal.

The only problem? He finished the game 24 of 30, passing for 335 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Vikings sacked Rodgers four times for 28 yards in losses, widely considered a positive performance against a mobile quarterback such as Rodgers, who has been sacked 20 times this season.

Perhaps the best strategy against Rodgers? Keep the ball out of his hands.

The Vikings won the time-of-possession battle against Carolina on Oct. 30, keeping the ball for 32:05, including a 13-play, 72-yard drive on their way to a 24-21 victory.

They likely will have to better that performance Monday night.

Running back Adrian Peterson’s steady play and quarterback Christian Ponder’s ability to throw on third down (9 of 10 for 101 yards against Carolina) will be paramount for the Vikings, who gave up a touchdown or field goal on seven of the Packers’ 11 possessions three weeks ago.

Two Packers drives were 80 yards or longer, while five drives were at least 49 yards. In all, the Packers held the ball for 32:06.

Avoiding three-and-outs could give the Vikings steady field position on non-scoring drives and force Rodgers to go 80-plus yards after a punt.

“I think that’s how you want to start drawing it up,” Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson said.

Coach Leslie Frazier said battling Rodgers’ offense with offense is a nice notion – until he looks at Rodgers’ stat line for the season: 72.5 completion percentage, 2,619 yards, 24 touchdowns, three interceptions.

“Everybody tries that, but those guys score so often, man,” Frazier said. “They get seven possessions and score six times. It’s a good strategy, it’s a good thought when you sit down and strategize, but…short of keeping the football for 15 minutes of a quarter, you’ve got to find a way to slow him down.”

Linebacker E.J. Henderson knows the Vikings need constant pressure on Rodgers because he’s not going to throw many easy picks.

Once you get pressure, it’s about playing your gaps and hoping there’s a play to be made.

“Even Brett (Favre), in his heydays, when we used to play the Packers, he was still good for a couple, three interceptions here and there,” Henderson said. “I definitely think (Rodgers is) playing at a high level; we all know that. We know what a challenge it’s going to be for us Monday to come out and slow him down, but we’re looking forward to it. That’s what we do.”

PROMISING PERFORMANCE

The Vikings contained Aaron Rodgers on third downs for nearly a full quarter of the Packers’ 33-27 win in the Metrodome on Oct. 23. Here’s a look at the Minnesota defense’s late-game efforts on this crucial down:

THIRD QUARTER

Time left: 0:53 Down: Third and 6

Play: Rodgers is sacked at Minnesota’s 40 by Everson Griffen for a loss of 9.

Result: Three and out, field goal

FOURTH QUARTER

Time left: 12:50 Down: Third and 10

Play: From Green Bay’s 31, Rodgers’ pass to Greg Jennings is incomplete.

Result: Three and out, punt

Time left: 5:42 Down: Third and 6

Play: From Green Bay’s 34, Rodgers’ pass to Greg Jennings is incomplete.

Result: Three and out, punt

Time left: 1:17 Down: Third and 7

Play: From Minnesota’s 43, James Starks rushes for 13 yards.

Result: First down, game over

– Jeremy Fowler