Favre, Green Bay ready to go on late-season roll

	Nate Burleson has been suffering with hip, shoulder and knee ailments, but the Vikings hope he can line up. Elsa/Getty Images
	Perloff's Primetime Picks Week Prediction Outcome 1 N.E. 27, Oak. 24 N.E. wins 30-20 1 Atl. 23, Phi. 20 Atl. wins 14-10 2 N.O. 24, NYG 21 NYG wins 27-10 2 Dal. 23, Wash. 19 Wash. wins 14-13 3 Den. 31, K.C. 28 Den. wins 30-10 4 G.B. 28, Car. 24 Car. wins 32-29 5 Pit. 30, S.D. 21 Pit. wins 24-22 6 Ind. 42, StL. 21 Ind. wins 38-20 7 Atl. 31, NYJ. 16 Atl. wins 27-14 8 Pit. 34, Bal. 13 Pit. wins 20-19 9 Ind. 31, N.E. 27 Ind. wins 40-21 10 Phi. 27, Dal. 21 Dal. wins 21-20 Perloff's MNF Record: 8-4

This NFC North showdown didn't turn out the way ABC thought it would. The network's promo featured the Packers' Brett Favre and the Vikings' Nate Burleson. Favre, you'd expect. But is Burleson really the best they can do for Minnesota? With Randy Moss in Oakland and Daunte Culpepper injured, the Vikes lack a marquee player, but at 4-5 they're still in the race for the NFC North crown.

This is Favre's second of three appearances on Monday Night Football this year. Green Bay fell 32-29 to Carolina in Week 4 -- one of many closes losses for the 2-7 Packers. Another of those narrow defeats came at the hands of the Vikings. Green Bay blew a 17-0 lead and lost 23-20 in Week 7. But don't count out the Pack. They've thrived in the second half of the season in recent years and are coming off a big win over the Falcons.

The Vikings Win If ...

... they rediscover their running game. They totaled just 12 yards on the ground in a 24-21 win over the Giants last week. Part of the problem is that Culpepper's replacement, Brad Johnson, has been sticking to the short passing game, so defenses have no problem keeping everyone up near the line of scrimmage. Johnson has avoided mistakes and thrown for a combined 280 yards in his two starts, both of them victories.

Statistically, the Vikes' defense has not been impressive this season -- it ranks 28th overall -- but its ability to cause turnovers has been the key to the last two wins. Former Packer safety Darren Sharper had three interceptions in last week's win over the Giants, one of which he returned 92 yards for a touchdown. He's had a great season and will be looking to burn his old buddy Favre at Lambeau.

The Packers Win If ...

... they avoid turnovers. Favre's miscues have cost the Packers all season, and they're lucky that  running back Samkon Gado's two fumbles didn't hurt them last week (both times Green Bay recovered). Gado led the way for the Packers in their 33-25 win over the Falcons, running for 103 yards and two TDs. This week, veteran running back Tony Fisher is expected to return from a rib injury and help Gado carry the load.

Green Bay's defense has improved from No. 25 overall in 2004 to No. 10 this season under new coordinator Jim Bates. The Packers are a more disciplined defensive unit, and should shut down Minnesota's rushing attack. The key question is can their cornerbacks handle the Vikings' big wide receiver corps. If the Packers get any pressure on Johnson, it's unlikely Minnesota will take many shots downfield.

Key Stat

Samkon Gado has 165 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games. Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Packers coach Mike Sherman is 30-11 in the second half of the season since taking over as head coach in 2000. Green Bay is better than its record would tend to indicate, so there's reason to believe Sherman's late-season success will continue.

The Outcome

The Packers' offense appears to have finally settled down and I don't expect Favre to throw the ball all over the place tonight. He will have to keep an eye on Minnesota's Sharper. Bates' defense will keep Mewelde Moore and the Vikings' rushing attack in check, which will make Minnesota rely on Johnson's arm more than they'd like to. Even though many in the media  believe Minnesota is better without Culpepper, the Packers have to be relieved that they're facing Johnson. Culpepper has had success at Lambeau the last few years, whereas Johnson has yet to prove he can move the ball consistently.

Green Bay 30, Minnesota 20