The Green Bay Packers (2-1) are on the road this week against the Minnesota Vikings (3-0) and will be going up against their former leader and Packers legend, Brett Favre. The Packers are coming off a blowout win over the Rams and Aaron Rodgers is looking to show the world why the Packers picked him over Favre last year. Favre is looking to make a statement as well, as he said he wants to “stick it to” the Packers, especially their general manager Ted Thompson.
The Packers and Vikings are pretty close to each other when it comes to offense, as the Packers total yards per game is 313 and the Vikings average is 317. Both Rodgers and Favre have strong arms and are a threat to go deep, and both have very capable running games. The Vikings’ running game is more than very capable though, as they have the Adrian Peterson. Although Peterson has failed to reach 100 yards in his last two games, he is still very dominant and has gone for at least one big play on the ground each game. Peterson ran for 192 yards in their week 10 match-up last season, and I am not expecting AP to go three games without reaching the 100 yard mark
The biggest difference maker in this game wont be the offenses, it will be the defense. The Packers defense is solid, but the Vikings have the better defense and I think that will be the difference maker in this match-up. The Vikings defense will be able to pressure Rodgers and will get some sacks. The Packers offensive line has given up 12 sacks already this year and they have not faced a defense as good as the Vikings yet this year.
This will be an exciting match-up with all the drama Favre brings to it, but Favre will not be the reason the Vikings win this game. The Vikings defense is what will win this game for them, along with Adrian Peterson. I am expecting Rodgers to have a good game, but the Vikings are going to be able to get to him too much and he will not have enough time to make plays. If the Packers are able to protect Rodgers than they could very well win this one, but I think the Vikings have too much and will win a close one.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Packers 21, Vikings 28