THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
The Green Bay Packers aren't really concerned with Favre's return to Lambeau Field and all the other hoopla surrounding the Vikings, as they have their own problems to worry about. The Packers try to avoid losing a third straight game Sunday night when they host Favre and Minnesota. Green Bay is 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS overall this season, losing all 3 games by exactly 3 points. The Packers have lost back to back games, both of which happened in overtime. The Vikings beat Green Bay both meetings last year, so revenge is certainly at the forefront for the Packers. The Packers, who had eight injured starters in last Sunday's 23-20 loss to Miami, hope to have cornerback Al Harris (left knee) and safety Atari Bigby (left ankle) on the field for the first time this season. Linebacker Clay Matthews, who has an NFL-best 8 1/2 sacks, is also planning on returning after sitting out last week with a left hamstring injury. Rodgers and the offense have also had their problems, struggling to overcome season-ending injuries to running back Ryan Grant and tight end Jermichael Finley.
Rodgers has thrown for 1,546 YDS this season, along with 10 TD's in leading this offense. Since the injury to RB Ryan Grant, the Packers have become even more dependent on their passing attack. Defensively, only 1 team has scored more than 20 PTS against Green Bay in regulation. Overall, the Packers are allowing 18.7 PPG, a stat they would love to improve on against their bitter nemesis. The Packers are 5-1-1 ATS against a team with a losing record. Green Bay is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss. The Packers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as the listed favorite.
Favre had no trouble against the Packers last season, throwing for 515 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions in two Minnesota victories, but nothing has come easy for the 20-year veteran in 2010.
Brett Favre's off-the-field issues and the Minnesota Vikings" early struggles have garnered significant attention over the past few weeks.
Favre already has seven interceptions -- the same number he had all of last season. His throwing elbow is bothering him and the Vikings (2-3) are third in the NFC North, trailing Green Bay (3-3) and first-place Chicago (4-2). Minnesota is coming off a big win over Dallas, a game that many considered a must win situation. RB Adrian Peterson can certainly help his team out with a big rushing performance today. Peterson leads the league with 110.6 rushing YPG this season. He's only scored 4 TD's this season, and Minnesota is certainly counting on that to change. The Vikings are led by their defense, a unit that is only allowing 18.7 PPG this year. Minnesota defends the pass well, as they only allow 192 passing YPG, 6th best in the NFL. Against the highly aggressive Packers aerial attack, the Vikings pass defense will be severely tested. Minnesota is 3-11-2 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog up to a field goal, but The Vikings are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games against the NFC. Rodgers has seven interceptions to equal his 2009 total, and the Packers have totaled three touchdowns in their last two games. Green Bay, which was third in the NFL in scoring last season at 28.8 points, has struggled to maintain drives, going 5 for 26 on third-down attempts in the last two games. I like the Vikings to get it done tonight. Farve is no stranger to Lambeau Feild where he played for so many years, it his home away from home.
3* MINNESOTA VIKINGS +3 -125
The Green Bay Packers aren't really concerned with Favre's return to Lambeau Field and all the other hoopla surrounding the Vikings, as they have their own problems to worry about. The Packers try to avoid losing a third straight game Sunday night when they host Favre and Minnesota. Green Bay is 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS overall this season, losing all 3 games by exactly 3 points. The Packers have lost back to back games, both of which happened in overtime. The Vikings beat Green Bay both meetings last year, so revenge is certainly at the forefront for the Packers. The Packers, who had eight injured starters in last Sunday's 23-20 loss to Miami, hope to have cornerback Al Harris (left knee) and safety Atari Bigby (left ankle) on the field for the first time this season. Linebacker Clay Matthews, who has an NFL-best 8 1/2 sacks, is also planning on returning after sitting out last week with a left hamstring injury. Rodgers and the offense have also had their problems, struggling to overcome season-ending injuries to running back Ryan Grant and tight end Jermichael Finley.
Rodgers has thrown for 1,546 YDS this season, along with 10 TD's in leading this offense. Since the injury to RB Ryan Grant, the Packers have become even more dependent on their passing attack. Defensively, only 1 team has scored more than 20 PTS against Green Bay in regulation. Overall, the Packers are allowing 18.7 PPG, a stat they would love to improve on against their bitter nemesis. The Packers are 5-1-1 ATS against a team with a losing record. Green Bay is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss. The Packers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as the listed favorite.
Favre had no trouble against the Packers last season, throwing for 515 yards with seven touchdowns and no interceptions in two Minnesota victories, but nothing has come easy for the 20-year veteran in 2010.
Brett Favre's off-the-field issues and the Minnesota Vikings" early struggles have garnered significant attention over the past few weeks.
Favre already has seven interceptions -- the same number he had all of last season. His throwing elbow is bothering him and the Vikings (2-3) are third in the NFC North, trailing Green Bay (3-3) and first-place Chicago (4-2). Minnesota is coming off a big win over Dallas, a game that many considered a must win situation. RB Adrian Peterson can certainly help his team out with a big rushing performance today. Peterson leads the league with 110.6 rushing YPG this season. He's only scored 4 TD's this season, and Minnesota is certainly counting on that to change. The Vikings are led by their defense, a unit that is only allowing 18.7 PPG this year. Minnesota defends the pass well, as they only allow 192 passing YPG, 6th best in the NFL. Against the highly aggressive Packers aerial attack, the Vikings pass defense will be severely tested. Minnesota is 3-11-2 ATS in their last 16 games as a road underdog up to a field goal, but The Vikings are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games against the NFC. Rodgers has seven interceptions to equal his 2009 total, and the Packers have totaled three touchdowns in their last two games. Green Bay, which was third in the NFL in scoring last season at 28.8 points, has struggled to maintain drives, going 5 for 26 on third-down attempts in the last two games. I like the Vikings to get it done tonight. Farve is no stranger to Lambeau Feild where he played for so many years, it his home away from home.
3* MINNESOTA VIKINGS +3 -125
