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NFL News, Top PostsBrett Favre back in Green Bay: Game preview
On the day after Halloween, Brett Favre will be back at Lambeau wearing No. 4 in purple and gold. Will it be a trick or treat for Packer fans?
The last time Favre was on the hallowed ground of Starr, Nitschke and Taylor, he watched Lawrence Tynes kick the underdog Giants into the Super Bowl. It was Jan. 20, 2008.
His last pass as a Packer was, ironically, an interception that set up that winning 47-yard FG in overtime.
The last time Favre faced the Packers, three weeks ago, he watched his defensive mates sack his former apprentice, Aaron Rodgers, 8 times, including a safety as the Vikings overwhelmed Green Bay in every aspect of the game and cruised to a 30-23 victory.
It won’t be so easy for Minnesota this time.
The Favre hysteria will be overwhelming and the Cheeseheaded crowd, some 73,000 strong, will be vociferous in their animosity towards the player considered the greatest Packer of all time, and his purple-clad mates.
“They might still like Brett, but they’re Packer fans,” DE Jared Allen said. “They’re going to boo the Minnesota Vikings. It’s not going to hurt my feelings. They’re not going to make me cry. As a matter of fact, I expect good harsh ripping-on. I want to hear some funny stuff out there.”
Moreover, the Vikings will be without Antoine Winfield, who’s not only an outstanding cover man but is the best tackling corner in the game. He had an interception and a game-high 9 tackles in the first meeting.
The Packers, meanwhile, will have more depth available on their offensive line. The last time the two teams met, Allen repeatedly spun Daryn Colledge like a top on his way to 4.5 sacks, which included the two-pointer. Green Bay will have Colledge back at his guard position this time and will choose between rookie T.J. Lang and Chad Clifton, returning from an ankle injury, at LT. The team re-signed former Packer RT Mark Tauscher and C Jason Spitz could also be back from a back injury.
This game has the added significance of playoff implications. Should the Vikings win, they’d open up a 3-game lead in the NFC North on the Packers, with the main tiebreaker in their back pocket. A Packers win makes it a race.
THE MATCHUP
Minnesota (6-1) at Green Bay (4-2)
Sunday, 4:15 p.m. FOX
The line: Packers -3, O/U: 47
Vikings offense: 29.4 pts/gm (3rd); 353.6 ypg (12th) Pass: 233.7 ypg (13th) Rush: 119.9 ypg (12th)
Packers offense: 26.8 pts/gm (8th); 376.3 ypg (8th) Pass: 258.3 (10th) Rush: 118.0 ypg (13th)
Vikings defense: 21.1 pts/gm (17th); 330.0 ypg (17th) Pass: 234.6 (20th) Rush: 94.6 ypg (10th)
Packers defense: 16.0 pts/gm (5th); 271.5 ypg (5th) Pass: 174.0 ypg (4th) Rush: 97.5 ypg (12th)
When the Vikings have the ball: Green Bay focused on stopping the run last time and Favre made them pay. Sidney Rice is the Vikes’ receiver developing the best rapport with Favre. He leads the team with 33 catches for 545 yards and 2 TDs, and has scored a TD against Green Bay in three straight games. Packers D is tied for 22nd in the league with 12 sacks but is 4th in interceptions with 11.
When the Packers have the ball: Rodgers has been sacked a league-leading 25 times and as a team, Green Bay is the second-most penalized team in the league. They average 8.5 per game. WR Greg Jennings, who caught 80 passes for 1,292 yards last season, is on pace for just 59 catches for 950 yards. Allen, who says he’s ready to face Lang or Clifton on Sunday, has registered a safety in each of his last 2 games against Green Bay.
Last meeting: Oct. 5, 2009, Vikings win 30-23 in Minneapolis.
Notable: Save for a fourth-quarter rally, the Packers were never in the game. Favre was nearly flawless (24-of-31 for 271 yards, 3 TDs and 0 turnovers) and Allen was a one-man wrecking crew. Adrian Peterson was held to 55 yards and 1 TD on 25 carries. Rodgers ended up passing for 384 yards and 2 TDs, with TE Jamarcus Finley the top target (6-128-1TD).
“To have three possessions where you’re in their territory and come away with zero points, two of them are directly related to mistakes by myself, that’s disappointing.”
Aaron Rodgers
Last season: Split, Green Bay won at home 24-19, Minnesota also held serve 28-27.
Notable: In his first NFL start in the post-Favre era, Rodgers was coolly efficient in the Packers win, 18-of-22 for 178 yards and 1 TD. A-Rod also rushed for 35 yards and a TD. Peterson rushed for 192 yards and a TD in the rematch, giving him 295 and 2 TDs against the Pack in ’08.
“I’ve been dreaming about that for four years, to be honest.” Aaron Rodgers on first his Lambeau Leap.
All time: Green Bay 49-46-1
Vikings vs. Packers: By position
Fantasy football projections for Week 8
NFL Odds Week 8: Brett Favre back 4 more
Injuries
As of Friday, Oct. 30.
MIN
Antoine Winfield (Foot) Out
Percy Harvin (Illness) Questionable
Naufahu Tahi (Knee) Questionable
Bernard Berrian (Hamstring) Questionable
Karl Paymah (Quadricep) Probable
Brett Favre (Hip) Probable
E.J. Henderson (Knee) Probable
Ben Leber (Calf) Probable
GB
Korey Hall (Calf) Out
Jordy Nelson (Knee) Out
Jermichael Finley (Knee) Doubtful
Jason Spitz (Back) Doubtful
Chad Clifton (Ankle) Questionable
Clay Matthews (Jaw) Probable
Aaron Rodgers (Foot) Probable
Mark Tauscher (Knee) Probable
Charles Woodson (Hip) Probable
More news on Brett Favre’s return to Lambeau Field
Brett Favre is back in Green Bay, does anyone care?
Fans plan Brett Favre’s funeral
Fans gear up for Favre’s arrival
Favre’s greatest Lambeau Field moments
Favre in Lambeau and other great sports returns
Brett Favre’s Viking lore
Blitzburgh closes out Favre and the Vikings, Oct. 25
Vintage Favre claims revenge was not a factor, Oct. 6
Miracle dart by Favre steals a win for Vikes, Sept. 27
