Ok, so it was the 5th, not the 1st, but in the movie, "V for Vendetta" that date was all about one thing:


VENGEANCE.


And so here we are, Packer Nation. Standing just a few days away from arguably the biggest game of the 2009 season. Win, and things in the NFC Norris look a lot more blurry. Lose, and the Packers find themselves in a hole that would be extremely difficult to climb out of. We all remember what happened last time. But that was in their house.

This time, it's Vikes/Pack-- Lambeau style.

And the return of one long lost friend/enemy returns for what could be (although, not likely) his last hurrah in the house that Vince built. This one's going to be packed with emotion, no doubt. Last time, we got roughed up a bit. Got hit in the mouth, ended up with a bloody nose and a bruised ego. Let's see just how well these Packers dust themselves off.

It's key player of the week time. And for me, it's:






Aaron Rodgers

This one's on you, kid. Last time wasn't pretty for Aaron. He held the ball a bit, made one bad throw and was battered by the Vikes D. Make no mistake, our offensive line isn't going to do Rodgers any favors just because it's in Green Bay. The dogs are going to be out. And by dogs, I mean Jared Allen It's up to Aaron to stay calm, use the check down instead of waiting for a play to develop. Also, he's got to be able to read defenses and audible into more pass-friendly calls. The 7-step drops that McCarthy insisted on using against a rabid Vikings defense isn't going to cut it. As usual, this team will go, as Aaron goes.

Ryan Picket

I don't care what Capers says, I have to imagine they're going to put more focus on stopping Favre this time around. I think that will put a lot of onus on Picket to help stop Peterson between the tackles.

On the flip side...

Aaron Kampman

Capers has said he's going to keep the focus on Peterson, which means we need heavy pressure from Kampman so that Favre doesn't have all day like last time.



Geez, playing the Vikings sucks. You really do need every single layer of your defense to succeed. Defensive line has to play well to prevent inside penetration from Peterson and forced him to the outside. Your Linebackers have to be on their game to contain Peterson when he bounces to the outside and help to limit passes to the flats and screens. And your Secondary has to be on their game to lock down those speedy receivers, stopping both deep balls and passes to the flats/screens. A bad game at any layer of that defense, and the Vikings can exploit you like a dumb blond in Hollywood.

No doubt about it, my key player is Greg Jennings. With Winfield out, he is the key. His play will go a long way in determining the Packers success/failure in this game.

Yeah, if him or the other WR's get the dropsies, we're screwed. Jennings will be crucial.

T.J. Lang/Chad Clifton

By my count Jared Allen accounted for 5.5 of the eight Vikings sacks in the first game. If whoever is playing LT can keep him in check this time around, Rodgers will destroy that Winfield-less secondary.

I know this is suppose to be key player but for this game I think it is MM/DC. MM needs to call plays that allows AR to get rid of the ball quickly and on defense DC really needs to turn up the pressure and let the dogs loose on BF.

Offense - It has to be Aaron Rodgers. While Favre was all pumped up to beat the Packers in Minnesota, Rodgers has got to get the Young/Montana monkey off his back at home in Lambeau. There's a lot of pressure on him to lead this team and replace the legend. If the line improves at all, Rodgers should light up that weak-ass secondary and really make a statement to the NFL and the world. The Packers are here to stay and Aaron Rodgers is their "Franchise" now.

Defense - I'm going to go with Aaron Kampman. They need to get pressure on Favre to force some turnovers. Clay Matthews has been coming into his own lately and has shown well since he got the starting nod. Kampman has quitely done exactly what he's been asked to while facing extreme criticism from pundits and fans. In the first matchup with the Vikings, Dom Capers dropped him back into coverage and held him up way too much keying AP causing AK to end up looking uncomfortable and out of position. Since then he's shown dramatic improvement and has been allowed to rush the passer and apply more consistent pressure. Loadholdt is good, but Kampman is better. I hope they turn him loose and let him really rush Fafvre this time. I think that he could have a banner day now that the starting safeties are back in the lineup.

The defensive line, especially Cullen Jenkins. If the Vikes can get Peterson motoring, the game could get out of hand. Jenkins has the unenviable task of going one-on-one with Steve Hutchinson, and trying to make some plays in the backfield, and getting some rush on Favre so that the linebackers can drop into coverage.

Clay Matthews & Aaron Kampman. Get consistant pressure on Favre. Don't give him time to find his rythm.

Offense:
Ryan Grant - If the Packers are going to be successful against top flight teams, they have to have a balanced offense. Grant held out last year and ever since then he has been an average, if not mediocre back (last week's game notwithstanding)
You can almost pencil in a good game from Rodgers and the WR/TE group. The O-line will be helped considerably by the change in venue, and the defense is more then capable of keeping the game close, but Grant will need to step up big time. His productivity will not only help the passing game, but it will allow the Packers to control the clock, keep AP on the sideline, and give McCarthy the confidence to continue calling his number.


Also, while I like the thread, V for Vendetta was a terrible movie. Under no circumstances should there be a movie where Natalie Portman has a shaved head.

Atari Bigby
If he can provide the safety help that was lacking in the first meeting, we'll keep them from scoring 30+ points. (I believe we can score 30+ on the Vikes) The confidence and communication he'll bring should be a huge boost. Of course, I'm praying for him to stay healthy and play the whole game.

Lee or Havner

#88 was a major factor in the game in Minny. If he does not play one of these guys have to step up. With Minny short in the secondary, watch for them to roll coverage on Jennings and Driver and double up on them if Finley does not see the field. Even if he plays my guess is that he will be limited

TJ Lang / Chad Cliffton

Allen Barbre and TJ Lang holding the edge . I think that with these two gaining some experience the running game will improve also .History needs to repeat itself from way back when Clifton and Tauscher started as young inexperienced olinemen and were thrown in the fire and succeeded. In the last few years their play has declined but they are both good pass protecters but the run game has suffered.

Now that Lang and Barbre have cut their teeth I think that MM is actually looking forward to having two tackles that can run block and that he can finally emphasis the run like he wants to.

And on defense the same with Kampman and Matthews on the edges.

I also look for Raji to have a coming out party this week.

BJ Raji

Will supply the push to collapse the pocket on #4 and flush him into the waiting arms of Kampy or Matthews. On a healthy(er) ankle will also help plug AP's running lanes. May we all be singing the praises Sunday night of a good BJ!

I'm guessing Mason Crosby

Packers DBs. Gotta do better than last time, can't have him throwing 3 TDs again.

Defensive Line. They need to keep our LB's free. I'll take Raji, if I can only pick one.