Friday Insider

Brett Favre Against the Vikings Pass ‘D’

Brett Favre Against the Vikings Pass ‘D’

vikings.com: In two games against Favre last season the Vikings defense gave up 632 yards passing and two touchdowns on 92 pass attempts. So far in 2007, Favre has thrown 125 passes (41.6 per game) and six touchdowns. Those numbers point to the high probability that Green Bay’s primary offensive tactic on Sunday will be to pass, and the Vikings defense must be up to the task if Minnesota wants to even its record at 2-2 and finally give Green Bay its first loss of the season. Key to stopping Favre in this game for Minnesota will be the pass rush, which registered ten sacks in Weeks 1 and 2 but only one last week against the Chiefs. Pressuring Favre is the best way to force him into making mistakes, and the timely Vikings defense is sure to be wide-eyed in this contest.

packers.com: It’s no secret whom Favre looks to first, especially in the Metrodome – Donald Driver. In his last three games in downtown Minneapolis, Driver has compiled 25 catches for 467 yards and three touchdowns, including last year’s career-high 191-yard performance, and he’d love to catch the touchdown pass that breaks Dan Marino’s all-time record. Having their top three receivers (Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones) healthy for the first time this season last week was a big boost to the Packers. Favre threw for 369 yards against the Chargers, with the “big three” accounting for 16 catches, 287 yards and two scores. That was Favre’s highest single-game total since November 2004, and he now has six touchdowns against just one interception the last two weeks.

vikings.com: While Favre and company will surely look to the air initially, the Vikings will just as surely go to the ground as their primary offensive tactic. Rookie Adrian Peterson has had a strong start in place of the injured Chester Taylor, but with Taylor’s return a high probability on Sunday, the Vikings will have two backs to feature in an attempt to wear down the Packers defense. Look for Minnesota to try and take control of the game early by featuring a pulverizing rushing attack paced by both Taylor and Peterson.

packers.com: The Packers will be facing their third game-breaking running back in four weeks. Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook was effective (85 yards rushing, 46 receiving) but the Packers didn’t allow him anything longer than a 16-yard gain. Reigning league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson was held even more in check (62 rushing, 33 receiving), though he did slip free for a 21-yard touchdown catch. Peterson will get his touches and get his yards, but the Packers’ goal will be to prevent him from taking over the game, and make the Vikings go to other weapons to beat them.

vikings.com: With so many close finishes between these two teams and considering both teams have won or lost games on a special teams play, it would come as no surprise if the last play of this game was a game-deciding special teams play. Packers kicker Mason Crosby nailed a game-winner in Week 1 and Vikings kicker and former Packer Ryan Longwell saw his game-winning attempt in Detroit hit the upright and bounce away. Because history suggests this game will be another closely-contested affair, expect field position and the kicking game to play an important factor on Sunday. The team that executes in these areas the best has an advantage in this game.

packers.com: The Packers have dramatically improved in this area compared to the last couple of seasons. The punt and kickoff coverage units already are responsible for three turnovers, which have been turned into 17 points, including ten in the tight 16-13 win over the Eagles, and they’ll be put to the test against the Vikings speedy return men. Rookie kicker Mason Crosby already has shown his mettle as well, kicking a game-winning 42-yarder with two seconds left in the season opener, so he’ll be ready if called upon the way former Packers Ryan Longwell and Dave Rayner have been in these down-to-the-wire games.

vikings.com: Both teams boast athletic and talented linebackers that add flash to the defensive units. The Vikings linebackers must be stout against the run as usual, but it will also be important on Sunday for them to be superb in pass coverage. The Tampa 2 defensive scheme requires the linebackers to cover zones and receivers, and with Green Bay expected to throw most of the time, E.J. Henderson and his crew must be on their best.

packers.com: Last year in the Dome, the Packers used linebackers Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga aggressively with blitzes, as the trio combined for three sacks and two forced fumbles. If the Packers aren’t getting consistent pressure from their front four, they’ll go that route again. Barnett is off to a dynamite start this year with two interceptions and chasing Westbrook and Tomlinson all over the field. Hawk has been relatively quiet and could be poised for a breakout game. Poppinga has improved in pass coverage since last year and faces a tall order in handling Visanthe Shiancoe.

vikings.com: Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress began his Wednesday press conference by going over some statistics about this rivalry. Sunday will be the 93^rd meeting between the Vikings and Packers, with Green Bay holding a slight 46-45-1 edge. Nine of the last 13 division titles have been won by either the Vikings or Packers and over the last ten games against each other, the teams have scored the same amount of points (239). “So this is a great rivalry and good old fashioned black and blue division football. Our guys are looking forward to it,” Coach Childress said.

packers.com: They don’t get much more even, or feature as many close games, as this one. Nine straight regular-season meetings have been decided by six points or less. This is the Packers’ first NFC North game of 2007 after going 5-1 in the division last year, including a five-game winning streak after losing to the Bears in the 2006 season opener. Green Bay would love nothing more than to be three games ahead of Minnesota just four weeks into the season, and to carry a 4-0 record into the prime time matchup with Chicago the following week. There is a ton at stake.