The Minnesota Vikings improved in the off season while the Packers said goodbye to Green Bay legend Brett Favre.  The Vikings will do what they always do by running the football early and often against the Packers.  Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor will be in a battle for yards with linebackers Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and Barry Poppinga.  The Packers have a really good pass defense so QB Tarvaris Jackson will have to be careful with the football.  The Vikings would love to get the ball deep to new toy Bernard Berrian but they will need to keep DEs Aaron Kampman, Cullen Jenkins and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamilia away from Jackson and that will be easier said than done.

The Packers’ offense will likely still be a potent unit as long as Aaron Rodgers stays healthy.  The Vikings have the best run defense in the NFL with DTs Pat Williams, Kevin Williams and inside linebacker E.J. Henderson.  RBs Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson will likely have a tough time getting yards on Monday Night.  But, if the Packers can keep DE Jared Allen away from Aaron Rodgers he could have a field day.  WR Greg Jennings is the best deep threat on the Packers and he will be dealing with CBs Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin all game long.  Donald Driver and tight end Donald Lee will likely be attacking rookie free safety Tyrell Johnson and that could lead to some bad news for the Vikings on Monday Night.

PREDICTION:  GREEN BAY PACKERS 27, MINNESOTA VIKINGS 17