Green Bay Packers (2-1) at Minnesota Vikings (3-0)

Opening Line: Vikings -3.5/Packers +3.5 Total O/U 46

Time: 8:30 PM EST Monday October 5, 2009 on ESPN

by Marasoft.com Staff

In a big NFC North game on Monday night the Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers. Brett Favre faces the team he guided for over a decade and took to 2 Super Bowls. The Vikings are in first place in the division and can stay that way with a win at home in this game, while the Packers can pull into a tie for first place with a win. Favre have made the transition to a game managing QB this season even though the Vikings needed some old Favre magic in their last win, as he tossed a 32 yard TD with only seconds remaining to beat the San Francisco 49ers 27-24. Last week the Packers beat the Rams 36-17.

The Packers are led by QB Aaron Rodgers (714 yds 4 TD) and his main targets are Donald Driver (14 rec 233 yds 2 TD) and Greg Jennings (8 rec 209 yds 1 TD). The Packers rushing attack is led by Ryan Grant (206 yds 2 TD). The Vikings are led by QB Brett Favre (566 yds 5 TD 1 TD) and his main targets are rookie WR Percy Harvin (12 rec 128 yds 2 TD) and RB Chester Taylor (15 rec 103 yds) out of the backfield. The Vikings rushing attack is led by stud RB Adrian Peterson (357 yds 4 TD), who leads the NFL in rushing yards.

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The Ravens have the 2nd ranked offense in the NFL, yes the Ravens, as they have scored the 2nd most points so far. Their rushing game is solid, as they have the 5th most rushing yards in the league and both Rice and McGahee are averaging over 5 yards per carry. Their rushing game will face a stiff test against a Patriots D that is only giving up an average of 88 rushing yards per game.

The key for the Packers in this game is their defense, as they have to try to contain Peterson, which will not be easy since he is averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Green Bay is giving up an average of 128 yards per game on the ground and they will have to play better in this game against the best RB in the league. Favre has been solid, but Peterson has taken all the pressure off him since he has been awesome this season.

The Packers also have their work cut out for them on offense, as the Vikings rank 4th on defense and are strong against both the pass and the run. Aaron Rodgers has been solid, but even though RB Ryan Grant does have 206 yards he is only averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Grant has to pick up some yards in this game so the Vikings do not only focus on stopping Rodgers. If the Vikings secondary can contain the Packers' WR duo of Driver and Jennings they will be in good shape, as they are the only real legit receivers the Packers have.

First place in the NFC North is at stake in this game and emotions will be high for Favre who will be facing his old team. For the packers this game is all about defense, as they have to step it up in this game or they will lose big.

The Marasoft Pick: Vikings -3.5 points
The Vikings will have a field day exploiting the Packers weak pass blocking. Lay the points and take Minnesota.