In the most watched cable telecast in history, the Green Bay Packers left viewers a bad impression in a dramatic 23-30 loss at the hands of Brett Favre and the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.

After all the pregame hype of revenge and pressure on both sides, the difference of the game was the line play. The Vikings were able to get to Aaron Rodgers easily, accumulating eight sacks, 4.5 of which came from end Jared Allen. Allen was matched up with backup tackle Daryn Colledge due to an injury to starter Chad Clifton, and the Vikings star lineman was able to get to Rodgers all night.

"Jared made them pay and cashed the checks," defensive tackle Kevin Williams said to the Star Tribune. "We all got some push, but he got all the sacks."

On the other end of the ball Favre had all the time in the world to throw the football. ESPN showed that on one play Favre had an astonishing 7.33 seconds of time before throwing for a 30 yard completion. Green Bay didn’t get a single sack on Favre, who has hit only one time in the game.

A main cause of blame for Packers fans was defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who rarely blitzed in what was supposed to be an exciting defense. "I think they did a good job protecting him and we'll have to take a look at it," Capers said to the Journal Sentinel.
Even with the line play, the Packers were doomed by mistakes that cost them the game. On the first drive of the game the Packers were nearing the red zone when Rodgers fumbled. Minnesota’s offense took over, drove down the field and scored. Penalties remained a major problem, as one cost them what would have been a huge Charles Woodson interception.
While there were plenty of problems at the Metrodome, Packer fans can take some good things out of this game. Aaron Rodgers threw for a career high in yards 384 yards while adding two touchdown passes. The Packers defense, although torn apart by Brett Favre, held all-pro back Adrian Peterson to just 55 yards on 25 carries. Peterson entered the game as the league’s leading rusher.
The green and gold now enter the bye week at 2-2. That may disappoint some fans, but there is room for optimism. Eliminating mistakes could make this team very good. Also, the return of lineman Chad Clifton and the possible singing of veteran offensive tackle Mark Tauscher can make Packer fans, along with Rodgers, sleep easier at night.