I am writing this morning for my family living room, prepping for my first ever regular season Packers game. I've lived in Wisconsin since I was two but had only been to training camp and a couple preseason games before this year.
This game is big on multiple levels for me.
First, it's my 22nd birthday and of course I'm going to the Packer game.
Second, Favre returns to Lambeau Field as a visitor for this second, and most likely final time.
Third, Randy Moss returns to Lambeau Field since his ceremonial mooning incident in the playoffs in 2005.
Fourth, both teams need this victory with a capital N and a capital EED.
As it stands right now in the NFC North, the Bears are 4-2 with the Packers at 3-3 and the Vikings close behind at 2-3. A Vikings victory could make the Bears the only team above .500 in a congested NFC North.
The Packers will welcome some defensive reinforcements this week as NFL sack leader Clay Matthews is likely to play as well as defensive end Ryan Pickett and linebacker Brandon Chillar should return this week.
The Packers neglected to activate cornerback Al Harris and safety Atari Bigby, who had both been on the PUP list since the beginning of the season. Both players returned to practice this week, but McCarthy elected to give them another week of practice to get them up to speed and ease them into the season.
The Packers defense will have to slow down what could potentially be one of the best offenses in the NFL if playing up to their potential.
Favre dissected the Packers defense last year to the tune of 7 touchdowns, no interceptions, and maybe more importantly, no sacks. The Vikings won't have Sidney Rice to beat the Packers defense, but a dangerous Randy Moss. Moss has a significant history of playing well against Green Bay in his seven seasons as a Viking.
The most important number the Packers will have to change from those two meetings last year will be the zero sacks. As one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game of football, if you give Favre plenty of time, he is bound to find an open receiver. Favre has shown an inability to avoid pressure that undoubtedly correlates with his age and his health, and Dom Capers will need to dial up the pressure against Favre if the Packers expect to slow down the Vikings offense. Go get 'em Goldilocks.
The Packers will also need to stop of the most dangerous and physical runners. Adrian Peterson was held under 100 yards in both contests last year. However, the Packers rush defense has been gashed this season due to the growing number of injuries in the front seven. Hopefully with the return of Matthews, Chillar, and Pickett, the Packers can slow down "All Day."
On the offensive side of the ball, the Packers first and foremost have to take care of the ball. Rodgers has been uncharacteristically sloppy through the first six games, tying his interception total from all of last season already with seven.
The Packers will need to establish some sort of rushing attack to keep the Vikings defense guessing. Brandon Jackson and John Kuhn haven't been overly influential but if there is any game they need to step up, it's this one.
Which brings me to the most important position in this game: the offensive line.
The Vikings tormented the Packers offensive line in two games last season with a total of 14 sacks, 7.5 from Jared Allen. If the Packers expect to sustain drives, convert third downs, and keep Brett Favre off the field, the Packers will need to block the Vikings dominant front four and keep Rodgers upright.
However, if Rodgers can get plenty of time in the pocket, he could have a field day against a depleted Vikings secondary. The Vikings have a few injuries that have hurt their depth including rookie Chris Cook and safety Husain Abdullah.
Other opponent quarterbacks have picked on Asher Allen and Rodgers may do the same with the Packers spreading the Vikings out on offense.
Despite missing the week of practice, Donald Driver expects to play and even without the presence of Jermichael Finley, the Packers four wide receiver sets with Greg Jennings, Driver, Jordy Nelson, and James Jones could cause the Vikings fits, provided Rodgers has time to throw the ball.
The X-Factor in this game will be the crowd. I think Lambeau Field gives the Packers just the slightest edge in what should be a nail-biter on Sunday night. Packers win by a field goal.
Packers 27, Vikings 24
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