When healthy, Dorsey Levens is among the league's best all-around backs.

Looking at tape of last week's games, both defenses played poorly. The Packers' lack of communication killed them against Carolina. The Panthers, who ran the ball only 13 times, were throwing on nearly every down. They used a variety of motions and formations that caused confusion in the Green Bay defense. Communication breakdowns leave voids in the defense. Carolina had people not only open, but wide open. Combine that with the lack of a pass rush (no sacks) and linebackers and defensive backs making mistakes, and Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein was able to have a big game.

The Minnesota defense is trying to do some things, but nothing is working out. With Orlando Thomas out, they have been forced to move Robert Griffith from strong to free safety. Griffith is an outstanding tackler who can make plays against the running game, but he is less effective playing free safety. They have brought in Antonio Banks and Anthony Bass to take Griffith's spot, but neither is a strong safety type of player.

Early in last week's game, the Kansas City Chiefs were able to pound the football on Minnesota. The Vikings' front seven is not a physical group that can take on blocks and maintain its gap responsibilities. They like to run around blocks. In the NFL, players who consistently run around blocks will give up gashing runs, and that's what has happened to the Vikings.

Minnesota is getting average play from its cornerbacks. Jimmy Hitchcock is a guesser, a reader; he looks into the backfield and tries to guess. If he guesses wrong, he gets into trouble. On the other side, Kenny Wright and Chris Rogers are both rookies who are being expected to perform now. They cut Ramos McDonald earlier in the year and put themselves into a bind.

I've known Foge Fazio for a long time and have always thought of him as an outstanding defensive coordinator. Yet against the Chiefs, the Vikings had some severe matchup problems. At one time they had linebacker Kailee Wong trying to cover tight end Tony Gonzalez rather than the strong safety. Were the defensive players making mistakes and lining up wrong? I don't know.

The Vikings had better improve in a hurry because Brett Favre is healthy again. His hand is now back to normal. The Packers quarterback has the swagger back in his walk and is having fun again. The Packers' only problem is that they are still getting inconsistent play from their wide receivers. Antonio Freeman, Bill Schroeder and Corey Bradford are excellent receivers, but Bradford and Schroeder are still inexperienced. I don't think the chemistry is where it should be between Favre and those two receivers, as well as tight end Tyrone Davis.

It's critical to have Dorsey Levens back in the lineup. The communication between Favre and Levens has always been great. The Packers can use more of their offense than they did with Basil Mitchell and De'Mond Parker, who nevertheless played well in Levens' place.

Here are the keys to Monday night's game for the Packers and Vikings, who each need a victory to keep pace in the NFC playoff race:

Green Bay Packers
1. Protect Favre: The Vikings' pass rush has been almost nonexistent this year. John Randle is not the John Randle we are used to watching. He just seems to lack the quickness he had a year ago where he could put quick pressure on the quarterback. Adding Jerry Ball and Chris Doleman, two players not even with the team early in the season, shows the Vikings have tried to fill some holes.

The Packers will double-team Randle and hope they can block the other linemen with a single blocker. The offensive line has gone through some changes and injuries. Mike Wahle is the left tackle with Ross Verba out for the season, and Raleigh McKenzie is now at left guard. The Packers line has been adequate but far from dominant.

2. Simplify the defense: Simplification will hopefully reduce the number of communication breakdowns and mental mistakes. Emmitt Thomas is a matchup defensive coordinator. He tries to get the right coverage against the right formation and the best possible matchups for his defense. Last week, it was just a total breakdown. Consequently, there was confusion and big plays for Carolina. The problem has been a lack of communication, not talent.

3. Butler must do it: Cris Carter, the Vikings' offensive catalyst, will miss the game, but Jeff George can still throw to three outstanding receivers in Randy Moss, Jake Reed and Matthew Hatchette.

When the Vikings offense has been broken down, it's been broken down by pressure. Safety LeRoy Butler must become more involved in creating that pressure. The Packers only have 25 sacks this season, an embarrassing number and the second-lowest in the league. They aren't getting pressure from their front four, so Butler must find a way to get to George on safety blitzes.

Minnesota Vikings
1. Heavy dose of Doleman: If the Vikings allow Favre to get time, he will tear the secondary apart. Randle will get double-teamed no matter where he lines up -- left end, right end, inside. The Vikings try to put him in position to make plays. If Randle is double-teamed, someone else like Chris Doleman will have to step up and make a play.

The Vikings are hesitant to run too many blitzes because they are reluctant to leave their defensive backs alone in single coverage. Minnesota is a zone-playing team that doesn't have an ability to take chances and blitz the quarterback. Ball is likely to pressure Favre from inside, so it will be incumbent on Doleman to have a big game.

2. More conviction to the run: Despite the Vikings' plethora of receiving talent, they have to commit more to the running game. Against the Chiefs, they fell behind 21-0 and came back, but I don't think they stayed with the run long enough. Robert Smith is an outstanding back. If he gets 25 touches a game, he will keep the defense honest.

Forcing the linebackers and safeties to respect the run, the Vikings would get more big-play opportunities in the passing game. They need more balance in their offensive approach rather than just trying to win it with big plays. They have the talent to be a very efficient offense.

3. Stellar Steussie: Left tackle Todd Steussie has really struggled, playing below his normal Pro Bowl standards. He will need to pick up his game. If he doesn't, the Vikings will need to keep a tight end on the left side or a back in to chip. That limits what the Vikings can do offensively.

Steussie needs to pick up his performance, even though Packers defensive end Vonnie Holliday hasn't played that well in his second season.

Former NFL quarterback Ron Jaworski appears each week on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown and Edge NFL Matchup. He breaks down the Monday Night Football matchup each week on ESPN.com.