Betrayal.

Revenge.

Redemption.

Vengeance.

You name it folks, this one has it all.

It's Vikings week. And that means the Packers travel North to face an old friend. But this time, who is the Master? The old, wise gun-slinger, or the young, feisty warrior? Only 5 days separate us from knowing the answer. The Vikings come in on a roll due to a miraculous win last week. The Packers come in confident, yet still seemingly unsure of what they're capable of. One thing is for certain however, that emotions will be running high. Never before have the Packers lined up with #4 staring back at them as the enemy. No doubt, this one's going to have some fireworks.

But as is the case in any game, in order to secure a victory, someone's going to have to step up. You could argue, that thus far, it's been Charles Woodson in every single game. In order for a Packers win this week however, he's going to need some help. So who will it be? Who's your ONE player that comes up huge. Last year, Chad Clifton in their first match owned Jared Allen. Can he, or whoever else is playing LT do it again? It's time -- for this week's KEY player!


For me, my key player of the week is:





B.J. Raji


Welcome to the league, kid. Time to step up. Look, I don't expect Aaron Rodgers or Brett Favre to have a huge game to be honest. I know that's what everyone wants, but the simple fact is the Vikings are a run-first team and the Packers passing game has been only so-so thus far. To me, it's all about sealing the interior of the line. I have confidence our linebackers can get to the edge and seal off Peterson on a semi-regular basis. But if holes are being opened in the middle, then Houston, we've got a big, big problem. Raji and/or Pickett must be able to hold their gaps. Really, same with our ends. But in this one, I'm giving Raji the nod. He must do what he was drafted for.

I am going to say Clay Matthews with a blindside sack that causes a fumble where the ever instinctive Johnny Jolly rumbles in with for a touchdown. Its more a scenerio, but one that would be classic, especially if number 4 lays on the ground for a little bit longer than usual!!

What about what player on the Vikings could be key? That Percy Harvin scares the dickens out of me more than Peterson. Special teams, wildcat, in the slot. He is Favres safety valve and can do a lot after the catch. They better have a gameplan for that guy.

My key player is JerMichael Finley.

Our running game will be pretty much shut down, with a couple of break through the line runs.
Finley could be the difference in this game. The Packers havent used him like they did in preseason, and I think they will in this game. He's got the talent, is he ready for the big stage?

Look for quite a few targets and a some wideout stuff for Finley.

That is if he doesn't have to stay in to block all the time!! I am also waiting for them to unleash him. I just don't think it will be this week. I may be wrong and will admit it, but I wouldn't be surprised if our tightends are shut out this Monday, unless they can exploit the middle of the field.

I really hope you're right. The guy has a ton of ability. I'm not sure if it's the gameplan or just him that's not translating into better production.

These are two of the very worst punt and punt-return units in the league. No Vikings game seems to pass without a big special teams play. It's likely to be the usual close game, and a score (or fumble?) on a return could make the difference. Will Blackmon and Mason Crosby.

Actually Minny put return unit is very good Reynaud is #2 in the league at 17.3 per return

And Harvin returned one to the house also.

My key player is Charles Woodson.

God willing, he'll help slow down Adrian Peterson and then make the Vikings pay for going to the air attack. I believe in his ability to do so because he's been playing at a completely different level this year.

Aaron Rodgers.....

Nick Collins.

I anticipate he's going to have to tackle Peterson in the open field a few times, and if he can stop 15 yard gains from becoming 40+ yard gains I think we may be alright.

Donald Driver. He's been playing well and I think he wants to prove a little something to his old buddy. Driver's a competitive guy. 8 catches, 115 yds, 2 td's

Unquestioned without a doubt...Dom Capers.

May the Force be with you Luke Heatseeker
AJ Hawk

Ryan Pickett. He is the NT of our defense. A 3-4 defense is predicated on the NT being stout at the point of attack. We are facing the best RB if not the best individual player in the NFL. If Pickett can hold his own our LBs will be free to make plays. If he is gobbled up, our LBs will be eaten up by blockers. I know all the hype is about Favre but in reality Favre has had very little to do with the Vikings success. This team revolves around Peterson and a great DL.

The key player for this game is more like 12.

Clifton, Colledege, Spitz(Wells), Sitton, Barbre and Jenkins, Pickett, Jolly, Kampman, Barnett, Hawk, Matthews.

Our two fronts have to play out of their minds for us to win.

Im going to go on one entire side of the ball and say the offense and their ability to run the no huddle offense and keep MN's defense on their heels.

As I wrote in another thread I would like to see our offense put up points and put them up fast. I think if we can get into a shootout its a match that favors us.

Whoever is playing middle LB. The Pack needs them to stop the run bad. GB MLB have been poor to seal the gaps on run plays and have not got much penetration. I would blitz Favre like crazy, by sending two on the same side one right after the other especially from his blind side. I would hit him every chance possible to rattle his cage.

Well, Rodgers doesn't want him to stay in and block all the time. He wants more targets rather than extra protection. If he can persuade MM, we might see more of Finley this week. I sure hope so.

I'd say the key player this week is Adrian Peterson - for both teams! If we stop/hinder him, I think we have a good shot at winning. If not, I'd have to favour them, barring too many turnovers on their part.

OT's, doesn't matter which one. I'll say this every week until we go a game without a sack. We have to win our one on one matchups. I don't know if any of you really watched the line play last week but Wells had a few plays where he was just blown off of the ball. The Williams' will destroy him if he doesn't improve. Who knows, maybe Cliiffy plays and Spitz is back at center but this doesn't seem all too probable. I guess I should have said OL but that can be said just about any game. Regardless, Barbre, Cliffy, and Colledge need to make sure that Minny DE's won't get unimpeded shots at Rodgers.

Allen Barbre and Darren Colledge

The line play of the Packers determines the game.

If they have the game of their lives, we win.

If they play like its the Cincinnati game, it will be a long night.

Going into the game after the first 3 weeks, it looks like we are severely overmatched at those two positions.

Finley.

He needs to find open spots in the defense and make some key catches to keep the chains moving.

Keep Adrian Peterson off the field.

Mike McCarthy!!!!

We now have the rep of a Big Play offense. Our OL is dinged up and playing a very good DL. McCarthy needs to call a game that has Arod getting the ball out of his hands quick.

We need slants, quick hitters to the TE, how about a screen pass or two, and start the game out running the ball behind Babre. McCarthy needs to get Barbre lathered up with some successful plays and give him confidence. If we start the game pass happy (5-7 step drops) and Barbre get's beat it could set the tone for a long night.

I beleve it must be the Defense front 7 and the proper rotation of same. Packer must stop AP and the running game, for if the Viks can run successfully againt the Pack, its going too be a long day for the PAckers. Forget the Favre hype-stop the run and worry about Brett at the game end! If AP is held in check the Packer should win!

That said, Packers must stepup with their "A game" Offensively and Defensively: and then hopethe Viking left their "A" game in the locker room. Go PAckers!.

My key player... the PACKERS. Play as a team, win as a team.

My key player for tonight is B.J. Raji. Pickett stands-up very well against the run, and usually holds the point clogging-up the middle.

Raji will spell him, and also create some "push" up the middle on passing downs. I think that push will flush BF out of the pocket and into the waiting arms of Kampy or Matthews. This lack of pocket-comfort will lead to a few potential picks... hopefully Tramon/Woodson/Harris can capitalize and make Minny pay.

O.k. As far-fetched as it seems... Ryan Grant and Deshawn Wynn need to throw down the hammer. I look for a big game from Grant (150+ yds) and put to rest this so-called Vaunted Vikings Defense. Now that would be cool.

So what you're saying is that the key to the game is for everyone on the team to play good ball.

I mean, that's hard to dispute, but it seems a little counter to the idea of picking out a key player.

I dont know uf BJ is healthy enough,

I agree but the line needs to get some push upfront and create seams and they have not been able to do that yet this year

Two key players:

Aaron Rodgers - the QB that keeps his composure tonight is the winning QB, here's hoping Brett gets caught up in it (he sure has before)

Daryn Colledge - Keeping Jared Allen in check will be a mighty big job

Very good choices for obvious reasons, but I'm going Jermichael Finley.

I don't know if he's just not getting open, not getting his number called, or if he's just blocking more. But TE's have had incredible days against Vikings Cover 2.

We need to continue that trend.

Yes, that really would be cool. I'd love it. Suddenly the Packers run game comes unglued at the same time as we jam up Peterson's run game. I'd love that.

It's Colledge. Gotta be. Unless Clifton comes through at the last minute.

My guess is we run for a total of ~75 yards (that includes scrambles), which means we're going to have to do damage through the air. The Vikings have not been tested through the air yet this season but in order to really get on our game Rodgers needs SOME time. You can't ask Colledge to dominate Allen, but you can ask him to semi-contain him. Executing on first down will help by keeping down and distance short. But even if things go according to plan there will still be a handful of plays where they need to protect on third and long.

Earlier I went with Finley, and Im sticking with him, but if I can have a 1.A, its Ryan Grant. Without him playing well, it could be long night.