Vikings-Packers Preview

VIDEO PLAYLIST

• Countdown Daily Recap: Vikings-Packers

SCOUTING REPORT

Vikings-Packers: 10 observations After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch in this week's Vikings-Packers matchup. 1. Minnesota needs to maintain balance offensively: The Vikings threw the ball 51 times in Week 7 and will need more balance on the road in Week 8. Play-action is a big part of what Brett Favre does well, but it's not very effective if the Vikings don't pound the ball with Adrian Peterson.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
MIN	9-1	306	193	5-0	4-1	4-0	7-0
GNB	6-4	262	203	4-2	2-2	2-2	5-3
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Minnesota Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Favre 69.7 2482 21 3 Jackso... 66.7 159 1 0

Green Bay Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Rodger... 64.8 2788 19 5 Flynn 66.7 15 0 0

Minnesota Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Peters... 205 999 4.9 11 Taylor 63 212 3.4 1

Green Bay Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Grant 189 829 4.4 5 Rodger... 44 242 5.5 3

Minnesota Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Rice 50 875 17.5 4 Harvin 36 501 13.9 4

Green Bay Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Driver 46 703 15.3 4 Jennin... 43 669 15.6 3

Full Player Stats: Minnesota | Green Bay

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	MIN	375.0
	GNB	378.0
Yards Passing	MIN	249.1
	GNB	254.9
Yards Rushing	MIN	126.2
	GNB	123.1
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	MIN	317.0
	GNB	282.5
Pass Yds Allowed	MIN	231.5
	GNB	191.8
Rush Yds Allowed	MIN	85.5
	GNB	90.7

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Green Bay leads 10-9
Oct 5, 2009	MIN 30, @GNB 23
Nov 9, 2008	MIN 28, @GNB 27
Sep 8, 2008	MIN 19, GNB 24
Nov 11, 2007	MIN 0, GNB 34
Sep 30, 2007	MIN 16, @GNB 23
Dec 21, 2006	MIN 7, GNB 9
Nov 12, 2006	MIN 17, @GNB 23
Nov 21, 2005	MIN 20, GNB 17
Oct 23, 2005	MIN 23, @GNB 20
Jan 9, 2005	MIN 31, GNB 17
Dec 24, 2004	MIN 31, @GNB 34
Nov 14, 2004	MIN 31, GNB 34
Nov 2, 2003	MIN 27, @GNB 30
Sep 7, 2003	MIN 30, GNB 25
Dec 8, 2002	MIN 22, GNB 26
Nov 17, 2002	MIN 31, @GNB 21
Dec 30, 2001	MIN 13, GNB 24
Oct 21, 2001	MIN 35, @GNB 13

For 16 seasons, Brett Favre was the face of the Green Bay Packers.

He enjoyed legendary status in Title Town, becoming the NFL's all-time leading passer while winning three MVP awards and a Super Bowl. He was often cheered loudly at Lambeau Field, but this time he'll be playing for the rival Minnesota Vikings, and likely won't receive the same warm reception.

A mix of both cheers and boos is what Favre should expect as he takes the field for the first time as a visitor in Green Bay on Sunday as he tries to help the Vikings bounce back from their first loss and take a commanding lead in the NFC North.

A second-round pick by Atlanta in 1991, Favre was traded to Green Bay in 1992. He made his Packers debut later that year and eventually led the club to seven division titles, 11 playoff appearances and 13 winning seasons while starting 255 straight games. He set NFL records with 61,655 passing yards and 442 touchdowns and will one day be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Favre contemplated retirement for most of this decade, finally doing so shortly after Green Bay's 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC championship game on Jan. 20, 2008.

A few months after Favre's tearful goodbye news conference in March of that year, the Packers traded him to the New York Jets when he tried to come back, only to learn Green Bay was committed to Aaron Rodgers. Favre started strong in New York, but the team lost four of its final five games to finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs, leading to his second retirement.

The Jets released Favre after the draft and he spent the summer working out before signing with Minnesota (6-1) in August.

Joining perhaps the Packers' most bitter rival has not gone over well in Green Bay and despite just one losing season in his tenure with the club, Favre could receive an unruly greeting from the faithful who once adored him.

"I don't think it'll be as bad," Favre said, "but I don't know that.

"If you're a true fan, you're a true fan. The people that have jumped ship or whatever completely, what can I do? ... There was always Brett Favre haters out there, and that will never change."

Favre is downplaying any anxiety about returning to Lambeau, and insists he's more concerned about the division race.

Favre is excelling with the first-place Vikings -- passing for 1,681 yards, 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions -- yet another reason Packers fans are a little irked.

The 40-year-old led Minnesota to six straight wins, including a 30-23 home victory over Green Bay (4-2) on Oct. 5. He was unable to extend that streak as the Vikings fell 27-17 at Pittsburgh last Sunday.

Minnesota outgained the Steelers 386-259 and held the ball for nearly 37 minutes yet still lost thanks to 11 penalties, two turnovers in the red zone that went for touchdowns and an inability to put the ball in the end zone from 1 yard out in the third quarter.

"We left a lot of plays out there. We had many opportunities to win," cornerback Karl Paymah said. "We've just got to learn from it and just keep pushing."

Favre was forced to attempt 50 passes as the Vikings struggled to get the ground game going with Adrian Peterson rushing for 69 yards on 18 carries.

Minnesota will have to be much sharper against a Packers defense that is starting to come together under new coordinator Dom Capers and his 3-4 scheme.

Favre completed 24 of 31 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns against Green Bay in Week 4, but the Packers have yielded just 288 total yards and three points in winning two games since.

After defeating Detroit 26-0 on Oct. 18, Green Bay -- which ranks third in total defense (284.8 yards per game) and fifth in scoring defense (16.0 points per game) -- outgained Cleveland 460-139 in a 31-3 win last Sunday.

Although those victories have come against teams with a combined 2-11 record, they've helped boost the Packers' confidence.

"It's good to have two big wins," linebacker Aaron Kampman said. "We haven't done that back to back. Dominant performances on the defensive side of the ball. Obviously it's going to help us going into a very large game, large stage again at Lambeau Field."

While fans at Lambeau might have mixed feelings for Favre, they are all rallying behind Rodgers.

He threw for 246 yards and a season-high three touchdowns against the Browns, is second in the league with a 110.8 rating and has passed for 1,702 yards with 11 TDs and only two picks.

"He deserves everything that he accomplishes," Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's just doing a really good job of running the offense and I can't say enough about that."

Rodgers finally had some time in the pocket last week as the offensive line didn't allow a sack after giving up a league-worst 25 through the first five games.

He likely won't have the same protection this week, though.

The Vikings lead the league with 24 sacks and sacked Rodgers eight times with Jared Allen accumulating 4 1/2, a forced fumble and a safety in the first meeting. The pass rush will take on a greater importance in this game after Minnesota's best cornerback -- Antoine Winfield -- was ruled out for this contest due to a foot injury.

"We're playing a much better opponent this week," Packers cornerback Charles Woodson said. "We can't rest on the last two weeks."

The Packers, 2-1 at home this season, have won three straight and 12 of 15 over the Vikings in Green Bay.

Lions' Stafford, Johnson likely out vs. Packers

Lions quarterback Matt Stafford had a record-setting day in Sunday's 38-37 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Scouts Buzz: Stafford growing up fast

Scouts Inc. examines Matthew Stafford's development, the Vikings' dynamic offense and more.

Packers CB Harris, LB Kampman lost for season

Green Bay cornerback Al Harris and linebacker Aaron Kampman will both have season-ending knee surgery.

FBO: Week 11 Quick Reads

Football Outsiders apply their metrics to Week 11. Findings: Even when Wes Welker doesn't find the end zone, he's historic; Mark Sanchez isn't ready; DeAngelo Williams needs the rock more; and T.J. Houshmandzadeh may have saved Minny's season.

Vikings cut receiver

Roderick Rogers on Monday, a day after completing their three-day mandatory minicamp, leaving 84 players on the roster.

Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress wigs out, shows a sense of humor

The Vikings completed a mandatory three-day minicamp Sunday at Winter Park. Here's a closer look at what we learned: Who says Vikings coach Brad Childress doesn't like to have fun? He showed the lighter side of his personality on Sunday.

Vikes' Wildcat formation means little in face of Favre fluctuation

The Vikings spent their latest camp working on the Wildcat formation. They should have been drawing up their Wildcard formation.

Vikings' Childress is Favre's innocent victim

Fran Tarkenton's rips on Brett Favre for the way he's mercilessly toyed with the Minnesota Vikings certainly can be justified.

NFL players union requests hold on suspensions

The NFL Players Association is asking a federal judge to keep the suspensions of five players on hold while the case over use of a banned substance is appealed.

S Atari Bigby isn't back yet, but he's ready to go

Atari Bigby says he feels great, and that's saying something, considering how the Green Bay Packers' strong safety limped through the 2008 season.

Packers Daily Briefing 06.01.09

Jun. 1, 2009 6:00 a.m. Good morning. Here is your PDB for Monday, June 1, 2009. It contains all the links, info, analysis and occasional humor you'll need to start your day.

Tauscher's replacement will be green

The Green Bay Packers won't anoint a new starting right tackle until August, but they'll go to training camp with a pretty good idea about the identity of Mark Tauscher's successor.

Rodgers looks to expand leadership

Aaron Rodgers' strong 2008 season has him operating the 2009 Packers offense with confidence - much more so than last year at this time.