Minnesota heads to hostile Lambeau Field looking to duplicate last season's success in this always-intense NFC Central rivalry.

The Vikings own a two-game edge (38-36-1) in the series standings and have had their way in recent years, prevailing in 9 of the last 14 meetings dating back to head coach Dennis Green's arrival in Minneapolis in 1992.

A year ago, the Vikings swept this bitter rivalry for the first time since 1993. In Week 5 on a Monday night at Lambeau Field, Vikings' QB Randall Cunningham completed 20-of-32 passes for 442 yards and 4 touchdowns (including scores of 56, 52 and 44 yards) and the Minnesota defense intercepted Packers QB Brett Favre 3 times as Green's team ended Green Bay's 25-game home winning streak at Lambeau Field (29 games, including playoffs) courtesy of a resounding 37-24 victory.

Seven weeks later at the Metrodome (Week 12), Vikings CB Jimmy Hitchcock returned a Favre interception 58 yards for a score in the first quarter and Cunningham threw for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns (1 INT)--including a 49-yard TD strike to Moss--as the Purple Gang completed the sweep, 28-14.

Despite last year's win in Green Bay, Vikings are just 1-4 in their last 5 visits to Lambeau Field dating back to 1994.

Numbers: In two games vs. Green Bay last season, Vikings WR Randy Moss caught 13 passes for 343 yards (26.4 avg.) and 3 touchdowns, with scores covering 52, 44, and 49 yards. The Vikings allowed six sacks in their Week 2 loss to the Raiders, this after allowing no more than three sacks in any of their 18 games (including playoffs) in '98. WR Cris Carter has scored at least 1 touchdown in 26 of his last 39 regular-season contests dating back to '96. Since 1996, Vikings have 83 takeaways in 34 wins, 17 takeaways in 16 losses in 50 regular-season contests.

In 13 games vs. Minnesota (1992-98), Brett Favre is 5-8 as a starter, throwing for 2,561 yards, 20 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Since 1995 (76 games, including playoffs), Favre is 56-20, throwing for 139 touchdowns and just 45 interceptions in his 56 wins compared to 28 scores and 32 interceptions in 20 losses. Favre has thrown for 19,394 yards in those 76 games. In his last 19 games (including playoffs) dating back to '97, RB Dorsey Levens has carried 399 times for 1,640 yards and 10 touchdowns, plus caught 80 passes for 610 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Things To Look For:After being overmatched by the Minnesota offense in both meetings last season, the Pack addressed their needs in the secondary via the draft and will now get the acid test. However, the Vikings' attack has struggled to get out of the gate as a star-studded offensive line has not performed early on as advertised. Look for both clubs to try and establish a ground attack, which may be easier said than done.

Etc.: The Vikings are 36-22 vs. NFC Central rivals (including playoffs) since '92 (under head coach Dennis Green) after going 6-10 vs. divisional competition from 1990-91, however Minnesota is just 19-17 (including playoffs) in its last 36 contests vs. NFC Central rivals dating back to 1994. WR Cris Carter (103) needs 2 touchdowns to tie Don Hutson (105) for 9th place on the NFL's all-time touchdowns scored list. Carter (10,587) needs 129 yards to tie Stanley Morgan (10,716) for 12th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list.

Since 1992 (including playoffs), the Packers are 40-20 record vs. NFC Central rivals (including 3-0 in playoffs), a combined 35-11 vs. the Bears (12-2), Lions (11-6) and Buccaneers (12-3), but just 5-9 vs. the Vikings dating back to 1992. The Packers are just 4-5 vs. divisional rivals dating back to 1998, this after going a combined 15-2 (including playoffs) vs. NFC Central rivals in 1996 (7-1) and '97 (8-1). Since 1992 (including playoffs), Packers are 48-5 at Lambeau Field (including 5-0 in playoffs). Including playoffs, Packers have won 45 of their last 47 at Lambeau Field. Including playoffs, Packers are 26-4 at home (22-3 at Lambeau Field, 4-1 at Milwaukee) vs. NFC Central rivals dating back to 1992.