Can Favre step for for what could be his MNF finale?

	Brett Favre leads the NFL with 22 interceptions this season. Jim McIsaac/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 win, 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 11 G.B. 30, Min. 20 Min. wins, 20-17 12 Pit. 29, Ind. 24 Ind. wins, 26-7 13 Sea. 23, Phi. 19 Sea. wins, 42-0 13 Atl. 28, N.O. 27 Atl. wins, 36-17 Perloff's MNF Record: 10-6

If Brett Favre wasn't playing tonight, there'd be absolutely no reason to tune in to this game. But this could be Favre's Monday night swan song and maybe he'll rise to the occasion and put on a special show.

Even if Favre does come back next year, it's hard to imagine he'll ever have another showdown with the Ravens' Kyle Boller. In his third season, Boller hasn't come any closer to proving he's an NFL quarterback. If the Packers insert backup QB Aaron Rodgers late in the game, we could be treated to two Jeff Tedford-trained quarterbacks struggling in prime time.

But if those aren't compelling enough reasons to tune in, there are options. ESPN is airing Codebreakers, the film about a cheating scandal at Navy, for the 800th time this month. Indiana is playing Charlotte on ESPN2 -- I'll let you guess if that's college or pro hoops. And don't forget the 2005 Radio Music Awards on NBC, which many experts consider a strong indicator of who will win in the Billboard Music Awards.

The Packers Win If ...

Favre throws the ball to the guys in green and gold. The future Hall of Famer leads the NFL this season with 22 picks and many of them have been costly. The Ravens have been less opportunistic than usual  -- they rank 30th in the NFL with just seven interceptions. But they have talented players in the defensive backfield and will make Favre pay if he's careless.

Another key for the Packers is creating holes for running back Samkon Gado. The undrafted rookie out of Liberty had 171 yards to help Green Bay beat Detroit in overtime last week. But he was completely stuffed in Green Bay's loss to Minnesota on Monday Night Football last month. When the Packers' running game suffers, so does Favre.

Defensive coordinator Jim Bates has done well enough with this defense to enter the rumor mill as a potential head coach next season. Green Bay ranks No. 4 overall in defense, although it has struggled against the run of late. But the Packers should have success against the Ravens' rushing attack, since they can basically ignore Boller and the Baltimore passing game.

The Ravens Win If ...

Their defense totally dominates this game -- and there's a good chance it will. Baltimore's defense ranks seventh overall, despite major injuries -- including a torn hamstring that put linebacker Ray Lewis out for the season. The Ravens are tough at home and should frustrate Favre and the Packers' offense.

The Ravens' running game needs to improve for the offense to move. Jamal Lewis has a hand injury but should see some action. Look for Chester Taylor to get most of the carries, though he has struggled of late and has had some costly fumbles.

Boller is coming off a disastrous performance against the Broncos, when his two interceptions and one fumble probably cost the Ravens a win. The buzz in Baltimore is that Boller will see a sports psychologist to get his act together. It could be too late for Boller to get his head straight. The Packers have the NFL's best pass defense and have a good shot to get a few interceptions off the struggling quarterback.

Key Stat

The Packers have won 21 of 26 December-January games since Mike Sherman took over as head coach in 2000.

The Outcome

The Ravens are 4-2 at home, while the Packers have won just one game on the road. Favre has had some dramatic primetime moments through the years, including that magical performance against the Raiders in 2003, just after his father passed away. But the Monday night magic hasn't been there for Favre in '05. And Baltimore's defense is much better now that star safety Ed Reed is healthy and back in the lineup. If the Ravens can stop Gado and the Packers' rushing game, they'll eventually force Favre to make a key mistake.

Baltimore 17, Green Bay 13