The name of the game when stopping the Vikings is putting a lid on Adrian Peterson, who is without question the top running back in the game. Peterson leads the NFL with 1,208 rushing yards. He's only rushed for fewer than 60 yards once, and reached triple digits five times this year. Baltimore's run defense has been strong and ranks sixth in the NFL (100.1 yards per game). The Ravens need to get a lot of men to the ball to bring down Peterson.

Vikings backup quarterback Matt Cassel will get the start over Christian Ponder on Sunday. The Ravens faced Cassel last season when he was in Kansas City. He completed just nine of 15 passes for 92 yards, two interceptions and no touchdowns. Cassel has played reasonably well this year in two starts. He beat the Steelers in Week 4 by throwing for 249 yards and two touchdowns.

The Ravens and Vikings both have an explosive wide receiver and returner. Jacoby Jones is heating up for Baltimore with long completions and big special teams returns. He could have had a touchdown if it weren't for Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin last week. The Vikings have their own version in rookie wide receiver Cordarelle Patterson, who leads the NFL with 34 yards per kickoff return and has two touchdowns. Baltimore's special teams unit has to be on point.

Justin Tucker has hit 27 straight field goals, giving him the second most in Ravens franchise history behind Matt Stover (36). Tucker hasn't put much stock in the streak, and doesn't like talking about it. Tucker will be going up against another strong kicker in Minnesota's Blair Walsh, who beat him out in the draft and for the Pro Bowl last year.

The Ravens offense has been moving the ball better over the past couple of weeks, but it's still struggling to punch it into the end zone. Baltimore has relied on Tucker too often. The Vikings have the 23rd-ranked red-zone defense in the NFL, allowing touchdowns nearly 60 percent of the time. The Ravens must take advantage.

The big question is whether tight end Dennis Pitta will play, and if so, how much. Pitta ramped up his workload at practice this week, and reports indicate that he will be active for the game. But they also say Pitta will probably be limited in his role. It will be interesting to watch just how strong Pitta looks coming back from his fractured and dislocated hip, and how much he boosts the offense.

This may be the best one-on-one matchup on the field. Left tackle Eugene Monroe has come a long way since first joining the Ravens and has really solidified their offensive line. He'll have one of the toughest tests in the NFL this week with defensive end Jared Allen. Allen has just six sacks this season, a dip from his 12 last year and drop-off from the 22 he posted in 2011.

Baltimore's offense has been warming up, but it has the potential to explode both on the ground and through the air on Sunday. The Ravens have the 29th-ranked total offense. The Vikings have the 30th-ranked total defense. Minnesota has been particularly susceptible through the air, giving up an average of 287 passing yards per game. Baltimore's aerial attack is improving with Flacco throwing for 227.9 per game.

The Ravens are coming off a huge win over their rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. They've had a long break since the Thanksgiving game, and there are questions as to whether they could fall victim to the dreaded "letdown game." Even though the Vikings are out of the playoff chase with a 3-8-1 record, they have lost just once in their last four games. A quick start would be huge for Baltimore.

The Ravens didn't have a sack against the Steelers on Thanksgiving, breaking a streak of 22 straight games. Terrell Suggs hasn't had one in four straight games. Elvis Dumervil missed time in practice this week due to an ankle injury. Baltimore will be looking to play the run first, then pass rush. But if they can get to Cassel, they have a great chance of getting turnovers.