I am not gonna kick things off with you-know-who because there'll be enough written and said about him over the next few days.

Instead I think we should look at the other side of the football and what a good job Aaron Rodgers is doing at Green Bay.

Whenever we have seen this guy before it has been in on-the-spot duty, but now when you look at the job he is doing all you can say is that the Pack have not made a mistake here. Ok, they are only 4-2 compared to Minnesota's 6-0, but if something has gone wrong, it has not been Rodgers' fault.

Favre: back but will be undone by the Pack, says KC

And that sort of thing pleases me. I am not from the school that thinks it's wonderful that they retired you-know-who's number as he rides off into the sunset; that ain't wonderful, that's just a bunch of sentimental junk. What is wonderful is that Green Bay traded him and got a second or third-choice draft. I like that a whole lot better.

Besides, if he did ride off into the sunset, that sunset belongs to another team!

That said, Green Bay have to look after Rodgers here. Minnesota likes nothing more than to get after the quarterback and if those linemen can't stop that happening, it's going to be a long day for the Pack. If they can get him enough protection, he has a whole bunch of receivers to work with.

Shell-shocked

Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley all have decent stats to their name and Ryan Grant is running the ball, which means although there is no one stand-out in this side, they can hurt you all over the field - if Rodgers gets the time.

Defensively Green Bay are starting to come round too. They were fighting themselves defensively but have conceded the third least points in the NFL and are starting to make some big, big plays - I think the turnover ratio is up 10 in their favour.

Which brings us nicely on to, you-know-who... good old Brett! Yes, he and the Vikings are playing good football right now, but I wonder if when he returns to Lambeau Field, he might be a little over-awed, shell-shocked to start with. If he is and Green Bay can get after him, then it might not be a happy return.

Brett has also come up with some big turnovers lately, so maybe for all the talk of offensive weapons, this hinges on whichever defense can put the heat on the man in the pocket.

Explanation

But Green Bay then have Adrian Peterson to worry about, so if the left don't get you, the right sure will. Peterson needs no introduction or explanation to anyone, he's second in the league on rushing and he does open up spaces downfield. But I am not sure even with Brett aiming for them, that Minnesota has the receivers to make them the complete package.

I got no complaints about Sidney Rice at all, but Bernard Berrian is always injured and although we have seen him do some special things on special teams, you just don't know if Percy Harvin is gonna play, never mind how he's gonna play.

That's a big question, but not as big as the one we all want to know: what sort of reception is Brett gonna get? I hope they cheer him for what he's done for Green Bay, because let's not forget, he didn't leave town, they pretty much threw him out. Now he's hooked up with someone else, he can do whatever he likes. But once that kick-off is up in the air, he's the enemy.

HOME WIN - The scriptwriters will have Brett riding back into town and turning in a game-winning performance, but I think this game will show what Aaron Rodgers and that Green Bay team is all about - and why he's the second rated passer in the league. It might be that their defense comes up with those vital moments and it might mean an uncomfortable ride for you-know-who.

back to top