Ryan Pickett News

And games don't get much worse than the Packers ' emotionally charged Nov. 1 loss to and the Minnesota Vikings .

TAMPA, Fla. - Bad losses don't come much worse than this. Favored by 10 points against a winless team that had a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start, the Green Bay Packers looked assured of heading into the second half of the 2009 season with a winning record.

Everyone seemed to think that the 0-7 Tampa Bay Bucs were just what the doctor ordered after the Packers fell at home in a tough setback to the Vikings at home.

If you're the Green Bay Packers, you probably can kiss the NFC North Division away, right? Well, the Packers weren't quite ready to admit they'd be playing for a wild-card playoff berth the rest of the way after the 38-26 loss Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.

When the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, the energy flowing through the seats and over the playing surface at Lambeau Field may be strong enough to travel clear into living rooms across the entire country.

Brett Favre did what he set out to do. He has hurt the Green Bay Packers, grievously, twice within a month.

Posted by ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Here's an interesting turn of events: Green Bay defensive lineman Michael Montgomery's neutral zone infraction probably just saved the Packers three points.

The lightning striking directly over Lambeau Field was nothing compared to the storm rolling in behind it.

The Vikings faced the Packers less than a month ago -- 28 days to be exact -- meaning it would seem logical that some of the same shortcomings Brett Favre was able to find in his former team's defense in a 30-23 victory should still be present.

It's not often an NFL defense allows only three total points in back-to-back games.

Ari Fleischera s hiring by the Green Bay Packers last summer coincided with the Brett Favre controversy.

These same teams play other defenses and score, so it's not like they're getting shut out all year.

CLEVELAND - Armageddon II figures to have even more going for it than Armageddon I. On Sunday, Brett Favre again will be facing his old team after his play was the difference when the Green Bay Packers visited the Minnesota Vikings three weeks ago.

Even with more than $16 million in salary cap space available this season, the Green Bay Packers aren't in a hurry to offer any contract extensions to their key upcoming free agents.

It was just like old times for Aaron Kampman on Sunday. Since the 3-4 defense was installed, the Green Bay Packers veteran has been playing an outside linebacker position where rushing from a standing position is the norm.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, left, slips away from St. Louis Rams defensive end Leonard Little, center, who is held back by Green Bay Packers guard Allen Barbre, right, during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept.

The Green Bay Packers will play at home for the first time in nearly a month. Good thing it's the Detroit Lions, who bring an 18-game Wisconsin losing streak.

Just when it looked like the Green Bay Packers were going to get some continuity on their offensive line, they were forced to make alternate arrangements in their final practice before Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.

Safety Atari Bigby is ready to return to the Green Bay Packers, and the big hits can't be far behind.

Eighteen straight losses and counting for the Detroit Lions in Wisconsin. Oddmakers see no reason why 19 should be too difficult.