EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The big play continued to haunt the Minnesota Vikings’ defense last week, as Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace and a 45-yard throw to Santonio Holmes.

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The Green Bay Packers’ offense has thrived on explosive gains, most recent a 71-yard catch-and-run touchdown to receiver Donald Driver in last week’s blowout of Cleveland.

So, it’s no surprise Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is placing an emphasis this week on keeping the Packers — particularly receivers Driver and Greg Jennings — from doing damage downfield on Sunday.

“They’ve made a lot of (big) plays this season,” Frazier said Thursday. “We have to be mindful of it, and we have to be able to defend those deep balls with Jennings and both Driver as well. And then tackle. We’ve got to tackle if they make a catch.

“We don’t want a 15-yard in or 6-yard slant to be a 30-yard completion. You just make a tackle, give us a chance to make the next play, and we’ll be fine. That’s what we’re emphasizing with our guys — no plays over the top.”

Fifth-year pro Karl Paymah played relatively well last week in place of Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield, who seems almost certain to miss Sunday's game because of a foot injury. If anything, Winfield — arguably the best tackling corner in the NFL — was missed most in run support, as the Steelers ran left more than any Vikings opponent this season and averaged 5.3 yards on 20 carries.

Safeties Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams have had their share of hiccups, though. Opponents have scored seven times on pass plays of 20 yards or more against the Vikings; two of those came on Oct. 5 against the Packers, who lost 30-23 despite six completions of 20 yards or more.

Containing DE Jared Allen

One way to take away the downfield pass is to pressure the passer, which the Vikings did effectively in these teams’ first meeting this season.

Frazier expects the Packers to provide extra help to whomever starts at left tackle — rookie T.J. Lang appears to be the favorite — to contain right end Jared Allen, who had 4½ of the Vikings’ eight sacks in the teams’ first meeting.

“You would think so,” Frazier said. “He had quite a game. He was such a threat. We’ll find out early what their plan is and then … handle it accordingly. But you would think they would have a plan for Jared Allen.”

Wild times at Lambeau

Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell doesn’t think quarterback Brett Favre will have any trouble dealing with a hostile environment in his return to Lambeau Field.

“I’m sure there’ll be some cheers, I’m sure there’ll be some boos,” Bevell said. “But I’m sure they’re all excited to see Brett Favre play. And from Brett, I expect him to go out and play like he always does — be competitive, play hard, play smart — and I’m sure he’ll play a great game.”

Quick hits

♦ Winfield missed practice for a second consecutive day. WR Bernard Berrian (hamstring) and MLB E.J. Henderson (knee) returned on a limited basis. Favre (hip) again was listed as limited, as were LB Jasper Brinkley (hamstring), LB Ben Leber (calf), Paymah (quadriceps), WR/PR Darius Reynaud (hamstring) and FB Naufahu Tahi (knee).

♦ WR/KR Percy Harvin missed practice because of illness, but coach Brad Childress said he’s hopeful the rookie will practice today and didn’t seem concerned about his availability for Sunday. Harvin has a history of migraines.

♦ Before the teams’ first meeting this season, Peterson said he wanted to win for Favre. This time? “First thing’s first, is going in to secure this win. As of right now, I want to say we’re just a game ahead of those guys. This would definitely put us in a comfortable position as far as Green Bay … to sweep those guys. We haven’t beat those guys at home in years. But on top of that, yeah, it’s definitely added motivation to go out and definitely win it even more for Brett.”