Farve's return to Lambeau

With Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field this Sunday, the nation is in a frenzy. This game is expected to be the most watched football game of the regular season. The mayor of Green Bay has even decided to take "tasteful" suggestions to welcome Favre back to Lambeau. Some suggestions include changing the street named in his honor from Brett Favre pass to Brett Favre interception or just to remove the p from pass.
Many sites are making predictions for Favre's homecoming to Lambeau, but no one could have figured out a more stupid way to do so than ESPN. In addition to its analyst's predictions, ESPN performed a Madden '10 game to determine an outcome. The result? Packers 25, Vikings 23. It even detailed that the Packers led a game-winning drive with less than two minutes left. This drive ended with a touchdown and, as impossible as it may be, a successful two-point conversion to tie the game. The Packers won the toss and kicked a field goal to win.
This week the Vikings will have to play without their pro-bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield. Other injuries include probables Brett Favre, Ben Leber, E.J. Henderson, Naufahu Tahi, Karl Paymah and questionables Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin, Darius Reynaud and Jasper Brinkley. There is no question that Favre will start and most likely Henderson and Leber will also start. Berrian is looking doubtful for the start, but Harvin should be good to go.
Sunday should be a big game for Adrian Peterson because the last game against the Packers Favre shredded the D with passing. This week the Packers will focus on stopping the pass and not the run as much. http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=63&f=1554&t=5033157 I expect Peterson to have between 120 and 200 yards on Sunday because of this and because he is due for a huge game. My prediction for the game is Vikings 34, Packers 31.

No longer unbeaten

Last Sunday, the previously undefeated Vikings fell to the Steelers, 27-17 following a highly controversial "tripping" call on Jeff Dugan during a touchdown pass from Favre to Sidney Rice. Here is a link to the video on youtube. The tripping call is followed three plays later by Farve being stripped of the ball and Lamar Woodley taking it back for a TD. On the next Viking drive, Farve threw a short pass to Chester Taylor, who dropped the ball in to the defender's arms as if he had butter on his gloves. The defender also returned for a touchdown. The Vikings fate was sealed after this play and everyone knew it.

The media laid the blame on Farve for the loss, owing to his fumble and interception. I however, would split the blame between the blown call (come on, use instant replay on penalties that determine games!) and head coach Brad Childress. Chilly, you have a lot to learn. You have the best running back in the history of football! Give him more than 18 carries per game! Farve, 50 throws? You've got to be kidding me! Split up the play-calling so that Peterson gets between 25 and 35 carries per game!

What you have to do is get some new plays and use them! Try some reverses to Harvin or half-back options, please, make it interesting. To maximize Peterson's talent give him some different looks, pitches to the outside or screens, and for crying out loud, leave him in for third down. I know Chester Taylor is good, but Peterson is better at short yardage and in every other aspect of the running game. All in all, the Vikings are doing great, but they still have a ways to go to win the Super Bowl.