I was asked a series of questions by a local newspaper in town, but was...ahem...inadvertently left out of the column.  So here are my thoughts on the Packers-Vikings game Monday night

1) Who is going to have the better game Monday: Favre or Rodgers? Why?
The better game statistically will likely be Rodgers.  The Packers are a
pass first team, whereas Favre has Adrian Peterson to rely on.

2) Who, right now, is the better overall quarterback: Favre or Rodgers? Why?
Right now, if you were starting a franchise, the smart money would have to
go with Rodgers.  Statistically, he had a better '08 than Favre, and Rodgers
has yet to throw an INT this season.  However, Favre is 3-0, and that's the
most important stat.

3) Who will win the NFC North Division this year: Packers, Vikings or
someone
else? Why?
Unless the Packers can prove something otherwise on Monday, the favorite
remains the Vikings.  They're built to win now, and that's why the
acquisition of Favre was so critical.  Can he hold up?  Tarvaris Jackson or
Sage Rosenfels could have never made that throw to Greg Lewis with time
winding down against the 49ers.  And the QB spot was the weak spot.  I've
said before, anything less than a division title and an NFC Championship
appearance and the season is a failure in Minnesota.

4) Please share your thoughts on the game, such as how it will play out, who
will help decide the outcome, and any other thoughts you have on it:
Who's the pressure on to win this game?  I think it's on the Vikes, because
you don't want to lose serve in the series.  They're SUPPOSED to win.
The Packers will no doubt connect on a couple of deep passes in the game,
the Vikings secondary is vulnerable to that.  It's the intermediate passing
game that will come into play...no dropped balls.  It's doubtful they'll be
able to run against the Vikings, but the quick hits, slants, are as good as
a running attack (see the Packers' first 8 games of '07).  The tight end,
either Finley or Lee, have to be more involved in the offense, rather than
just the pass protection like they've been used the last few games.  A
successful short game should help the run game.
The Vikings have the best running back in the NFL with Adrian Peterson.
They'll take the ball out of Favre's hands and ride Peterson's shoulders.
He'll get his yards, but he's had a case of the fumbles since coming into
the NFL.  If the Packers can get timely turnovers, turn it into points and
get the Vikings in an early hole, that will force Favre to do a little more.
His dramatic throw at the end of the 49ers game overshadowed an otherwise
sub-par performance.  The Vikings are probably salivating right now watching
the film of the Packers' o-line, they've allowed 12 sacks in 3 games.

What will be the final score and who will win?
I don't think the Packers offensive line will get it done, running or pass
protecting.  Vikings win 23-17