Even when Brett Favre was the QB for Super-Bowl caliber Green Bay teams, he had trouble in Minnesota. That’s where he will be Sunday, hoping to throw his 421st touchdown pass, which will give him the career record, one ahead of Dan Marino.
There’s a lot more on the line than records for the Packers, who at 3-0 are one of five unbeaten teams left in the NFL.
But they are a better team than the Vikings, who can play defense – even score that way – but have no offense except for rookie running back Adrian Peterson. Journeyman Kelly Holcomb was the starting quarterback in a 13-10 loss in Kansas City last week and the entire game plan revolved around Peterson, who rushed for 102 yards.
“Our defense has played well enough for us to be 3-0,” said Holcomb, who will start Sunday against Green Bay if Tarvaris Jackson’s groin hasn’t healed. “Offensively we have to pick it up a little bit. Everybody is going to come in here and we’re going to start working.”
The Packers, favored by two points, probably hope the promising but inexperienced Jackson is the starter. He threw four interceptions two weeks ago against a Detroit defense that was torched for 56 points by the Eagles last week.
Favre, 5-10 in the Metrodome during his 15 seasons with the Packers, isn’t worried about records. He’d be content to hand off if the Packers win.
They probably will.
PACKERS, 17-13
New England (minus 7) at Cincinnati (Monday night)
Is there any question how many points New England will put up?
PATRIOTS, 38-14
Denver (plus 9 1/2) at Indianapolis
The Broncos have allowed a total of 90 points the last two times they’ve been to Indy.
COLTS, 90 – check that, 31-10
Kansas City (plus 12) at San Diego
Despite all the handwringing, if the Chargers win this, they remain solid favorites to win the AFC West title. A lot of good things can happen down the road.
CHARGERS, 27-11
Pittsburgh (minus 5 1/2) at Arizona
The Steelers consider this one of the biggest games on their schedule because Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, who ran their offense for the past few years, now run the Cardinals.
STEELERS, 20-17
Chicago (minus 2 1/2) at Detroit
Brian Griese is the QB now, presumably a safer option than Rex Grossman. Let the defense do it.
BEARS, 27-17
Philadelphia (minus 3) at New York Giants
In the 144-game history of this series, the Giants have scored 2,724 points, the Eagles 2,600.
GIANTS 27-26
St. Louis (plus 11) at Dallas
Steven Jackson is out. Marc Bulger plays with bruised ribs. Orlando Pace already has been lost for the season. Probably means the Rams win.
Nah.
COWBOYS, 37-13
Seattle (minus 1 1/2) at San Francisco
The Seahawks aren’t very good on the road.
49ERS, 17-16
New York Jets (minus 3 1/2) at Buffalo
Trent Edwards is supposed to have a nice future. But the future isn’t now.
JETS, 30-9
Houston (minus 3) at Atlanta
The Falcons would love Matt Schaub back. Matt is perfectly happy in Houston.
TEXANS, 31-17
Tampa Bay (off) at Carolina
The “off” is for Jake Delhomme’s questionable status.
The bigger problem is that the Panthers’ cohesion seems to “off.”
BUCS, 17-12
Baltimore (minus 4 1/2) at Cleveland
Matt Leinart was pulled against the Ravens last week because they’re tough on young QBs. Young QBs are all the Browns have.
RAVENS, 19-13
Oakland (plus 4) at Miami
Lane Kiffin got his first win. Time for Cam Cameron.
DOLPHINS, 27-20
LAST WEEK: 12-3-1 (spread); 14-2 (straight up)
SEASON: 26-19-3 (spread); 34-14 (straight up)