Sharper to Favre: Try going deep, I'll be ready

Darren Sharper knows Brett Favre is playing some of the best football of his career, and the Vikings safety has seen the highlights of his former teammate completing touchdown passes of 79, 82 and 60 yards in the Packers' most recent victories at Denver and Kansas City.

So what does Sharper think of Favre's success on those deep passes?

"Some of the throws he's making, I just hope he tries that against us," Sharper said Monday. "Those 50-yard balls over the middle of the field, we'll see how much success he has."

The Vikings (3-5) will play the Packers (7-1) at noon Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Sharper, of course, is very familiar with Favre. The two played together in Green Bay for eight seasons and the Favre-led Packers went to the Super Bowl when Sharper was a rookie in 1997.

"I can't remember him playing any better than he's playing right now," Sharper admitted.

Sharper joined the Vikings in 2005 and often talked about his desire to get an interception against Favre. That happened last December when the teams played in Green Bay.

He nearly had another pick in the Vikings' 23-16 loss to Green Bay on Sept. 30, but it was nullified by a penalty.

Favre attempted 45 passes in that game and broke Dan Marino's NFL record for career touchdown passes. Sharper is hoping Favre again tries to put on an aerial show with some deep shots.

"I just see him throw the ball up over the middle of the field very high and very long, and I like when quarterbacks do that," Sharper said. "He did that last time we played him."

JUDD ZULGAD