matt weighs in

The Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre host the Packers on Monday night. As big as the game is – ESPN is expecting the biggest audience in Monday Night Football history – I can’t help, but wish this first meeting between the teams was taking place on Green Bay. Their fans would be even more hyped than what Viking fans have been.

The Twins have thankfully taken some of the the local sports talk away from the football game, but the anticipation has been felt since the dramatic end to the 49er game. Favre to Lewis with :02 left just added fuel to the fire for this game. We’ve heard over and over about the legend of Favre, which is overstated, as is the case with most sports stories. But I’m hoping he will add one more good game to his lengthy resume.

In his press conference last week, when asked about wanting revenge against his former team, I wish that Favre would have said, “When I played for the Packers, I wanted to beat the Vikings. I now play for the Vikings, so I want to beat the Packers. Will it mean something to me? Yeah, it will. But it will mean a lot to the other guys in this locker room, too, because we’d still be in first place.” He gave a cliched answer, as most guys would have, but maybe he’ll say more post game.

I’ll take the purple to win by 8-12 points tonight. Favre will play fine, but the Vikings won’t need him to, which could disappoint the national audience. Adrian Peterson should get back on track, and the Vikings defensive ends should harass Aaron Rodgers all game, as the Packers o-line is patched together this week.

Let’s hope the Vikings are still leading the division when they head to Lambeau in four weeks.

Skol Vikings!