It will be interesting to watch over the next week as various Vikings and Packers players and coaches -- possibly including Brett Favre himself -- attempt to downplay the significance of Monday Night's game. They will try to avoid "bulletin board material," even though we're pretty sure nobody uses a real bulletin board anymore.
Here is a short message: Pay no attention to any attempts to downplay this game. They simply will not be true.
Instead, remember the animosity that brewed for much of the summer last year, when Favre decided he still wanted to play but the Packers -- most notably GM Ted Thompson -- stood firm in their decision to move on.
Remember the verbal jabs that ensued.
Remember that even though the decision wasn't a matter of right or wrong -- the Packers were stuck, Favre was stuck, and regardless of how it played out there would have been criticism -- it was one with a great impact.
Remember that since that time, the Packers are 8-11 without Brett Favre, and Brett Favre is 12-7 without the Packers.
Remember that these are two playoff contending teams, and at least one (Vikings) Super Bowl contending teams. This game and the one at Lambeau could go a long way toward settling the division, settling the playoff race and settling the score from a year ago.
And remember, these two teams were bitter rivals even before any of this happened.
