Brett Favre vs. Cheese Nation

Two years ago, the Green Bay Packers decided to move on from the Brett Favre era and go with the draft pick that they were lucky to get. Aaron Rodgers has been an apt pupil of Favre and has bolstered the betting faith of Green Bay bettors. But across the sidelines will be Brett Favre, the former franchise guy of Green Bay and the gigantic shadow A-Rod is trying to escape. In Lambeau Field, Brett Favre will be trying to get a win in the one stadium he hasn’t played in as a visitor yet.

I think that plenty of people are underestimating just how much Brett hates the Green Bay brass. He has proven, even at 40-years of age, that he’s still got the stuff to be an NFL quarterback. Everyone thought that the Minnesota Vikings would lean on the ground game, but Favre has proven he can take the load, leading Minnesota to a 233.7 passing yard average and a staggering 29.4 points per game. Along the way, Minny has gone 4-1 ATS on the road and 6-1 SU in their last 7 overall.

Favre is the MVP of the offense, but Jared Allen is the anchor of this defense. He haunted Aaron Rodgers in Week 4, causing a hilarious amount of fumbles and even notching a safety. He may look like a beefed up Nicholas Cage from Con Air, but he’s a veritable bad ass in the trenches. Green Bay’s offensive line didn’t allow a sack against the Lions, but the d-line from Minnesota has already obliterated them this season. Expect a repeat.

Minnesota Vikings (6-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

Sunday, November 1st
Lambeau Field, Green Bay --- 4:15PM EST

NFL Betting Line: Green Bay -3 (47)

Favre may be proving everything in spite of the Green Bay brass, but playing against his former fans is going to be a tough thing for him to do. In Week 4 he had the backing of a feverish Minnesota crowd which absolutely adores him. Favre returning to his former stomping grounds may be an emotional battle he can’t win.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t have faith in Favre.

If he’s done anything this season, it’s prove time and again that he has what it takes to lead the Vikings to the Promised Land. Green Bay has lost to strong opponents and their wins have come against hapless squads from Cleveland, Detroit, St. Louis and Chicago. I’m not one to call the Pack a fraud, but they’re certainly not as good as I thought they were going to be.

This game will be filled with the raw emotion that you’d expect, but Favre is a veteran to be trusted. Even if he starts giving up interceptions, that doesn’t mean that Adrian Peterson and the Vikings defense can’t bail him out. The problem won’t be for Favre – it’ll be for Rodgers. Just how exactly is he supposed to get the encouragement he needs when he watches the fans revere Favre for his time in Green Bay? He won’t. And the Packers will suffer because of it.

Furious Free Pick: Minnesota +3 (OVER)