Gameday: Vikings at Green Bay

Kickoff: 3:15 p.m. TV: Ch. 9 (Thom Brennaman and Troy Aikman). Radio: 1130-AM, 100.3 FM. Line: Packers by 3.

Series: Packers lead 49-47-1. Last meeting: Vikings 30, Packers 23 (10/05/09 at the Metrodome).

Vikings in Green Bay: The Vikings are 22-26-1 on the road against the Packers, including 16-17-1 at Lambeau Field. Forecast: Partly cloudy, 47 degrees, plenty of beer

One man's predictionL Vikings 27, Green Bay 24: Truth be told, selecting a winner in the Vikings' first seven games wasn't all that difficult. But today's game presents a real conundrum. The Vikings are the better team, but the Packers are playing at home and certainly don't want to see Brett Favre carve them up again in his return to Lambeau. Favre, on the other hand, will be at an emotional high -- something that could prove good or bad. At least it should be entertaining.

Maintaining his composure Favre admitted after the Vikings' 30-23 victory over the Packers on Oct. 5 that he felt like he did playing in the 2003 game in Oakland a day after his father died. Yet, Favre was unbelievably good against the Raiders and very good against Green Bay. The important thing is that Favre is able to use his emotions in his favor and doesn't try to do everything himself. The latter happened in 1999 when he threw four interceptions against Mike Holmgren when the ex-Packers coach returned to Lambeau as coach of Seattle.

A better plan for defenders In their loss to the Vikings, Packers coordinator Dom Capers had more than a few people scratching their heads after putting together a game plan that called for defensive end-turned-linebacker Aaron Kampman to consistently drop into coverage. But the Packers have given up only a field goal in back-to-back victories since, and the defense is now No. 3 in the league. Three keys: Kampman has his hand on the ground more, safety Atari Bigby has returned and rookie linebacker Clay Matthews is a full-time starter.

Can they do it again? Cornerbacks Karl Paymah, Benny Sapp and Asher Allen did an excellent job last week filling in for the injured Antoine Winfield against Pittsburgh's pass happy offense. There likely will need to be a repeat performance if the Vikings are going to sweep the season series from Green Bay. Winfield will be out until after the Vikings return from the bye. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is certain to test the left corner spot; Green Bay also could run to that side, something the Steelers had success doing last week.

Applying pressure Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen had a career-high 4 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hurries, forced a fumble and finished with eight tackles in the Vikings' first victory over the Packers. The Vikings had eight sacks against Aaron Rodgers, who still managed to throw for 384 yards. Allen's success came against guard Daryn Colledge, who was playing left tackle in place of the injured Chad Clifton. It's not certain if Clifton (ankle) will play today. If he can't, it will be rookie T.J. Lang. Lang came in for Colledge against the Vikings and gave up one of Allen's sacks. Overall, Lang has made a good impression but he will need help blocking Allen.

The stat: 568-564 The margin by which the Vikings have outscored the Packers in the previous 24 matchups between these teams (1998-2009), including the Vikings' victory in the 2004 wild card playoff game.