Zimmer praises Rodgers ahead of crucial clash: 'He's too damn good'

The much-anticipated NFC North clash between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 16 will also be the 11th meeting between Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Zimmer, who was hired in 2014, acknowledged how tough it is to face Rodgers twice a year during a conference call on Thursday.

"Either me or him have to get out of this division at some point," the coach said. "It's too hard to go against him. He's too damn good.

"You guys should try to talk him into retiring."

When told about Zimmer's comments, Rodgers responded with a similar level of respect.

"Tell him to retire," the quarterback said.

Not including a 2017 game when Rodgers left in the first quarter with a broken collarbone, he's gone 5-3-1 against Zimmer's Vikings, posting 17 touchdowns and two interceptions. Minnesota hasn't intercepted the star pivot since 2016 (146 passing attempts).

But across 2017 and 2018, Minnesota owned a three-game unbeaten streak against Rodgers, which was snapped earlier this year in a 21-16 Green Bay victory.

The Packers haven't swept a season series against the Vikings since 2014, but they would clinch the NFC North title with a win on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Vikings need one victory in their final two games to clinch at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs.

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