The Packers head to the Metrodome in position to sweep this longtime NFC Central rivalry for the second time in three years as these teams collide on Monday Night Football for the third consecutive season.

Three months ago at Lambeau Field (Week 3), a see-saw tilt saw the teams tied at 13-all in the fourth quarter when Packers PK Ryan Longwell gave Ray Rhodes' team a 16-13 edge with just 4:25 to play thanks to a 34-yard field goal. The Vikings would take a 20-16 lead with 1:56 remaining as QB Randall Cunningham threw a 10-yard TD pass to WR Randy Moss, but Packers QB Brett Favre responded with his own drive, finding WR Corey Bradford with a 23-yard scoring strike with only :12 to play as the Pack pulled out a resounding 23-20 victory.

Despite this year's earlier loss, Minnesota now owns just a one-game edge (38-37-1) in the series standings and have had their way in recent years, prevailing in nine of the 15 meetings dating back to head coach Dennis Green's arrival in Minneapolis in 1992.

As for the Packers' last appearance at the Metrodome (Week 12 of '98), Vikings' CB Jimmy Hitchcock returned a Brett 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 Vikings posted a 28-14 win.

The Packers are 7-9 lifetime at the Metrodome dating back to 1983, but are just 2-8 in their last 10 visits to Minneapolis dating back to 1989.

Numbers: In 14 games vs. Minnesota (1992-99), Packers QB Brett Favre is 6-8 as a starter, throwing for 2,865 yards, 21 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. In 124 career regular-season games with Green Bay, Favre has thrown 232 touchdown passes and 134 interceptions. That includes seven games at the Metrodome, where he's thrown for five scores and 10 interceptions. In 131 games with Green Bay outside of the Metrodome (117 regular season, 14 playoffs), Favre has thrown 252 TD passes and 136 interceptions. After throwing 145 touchdown passes and just 56 interceptions in 64 games (1994-97), Favre has thrown 50 TD passes and 41 interceptions in his last 29 contests (1998-99). Since 1995 (87 games, including playoffs), Favre is 62-25, throwing for 149 touchdowns and just 48 interceptions in his 62 wins compared to 33 scores and 43 interceptions in 25 losses. Favre has thrown for 22,100 yards in those 87 games. The Packers have scored 189 points in seven wins, 89 points in six losses in '99. The Packers have forced 19 turnovers in seven wins, but have totaled just 15 takeaways in six losses in '99. They have committed 10 turnovers in seven wins, 18 turnovers in six losses in '99. The Packers have forced two or more turnovers in eight straight games.

Since 1996, the Vikings have 97 takeaways in 40 wins, 23 takeaways in 21 losses in 61 regular-season contests. After scoring at least 24 points in each of their 18 games (including playoffs) in 1998, the Vikings have been limited to 23 or fewer points in 8-of-13 contests in '99. They have allowed 11 sacks and committed just 10 turnovers in seven wins, while committing 23 turnovers and allowing 24 sacks in 6 losses in '99. The Vikings have 17 takeaways in seven wins, seven takeaways in six losses in '99. They have forced two or more turnovers in seven straight games. The Vikings have committed two or more turnovers in five straight games. QB Jeff George has thrown two or more touchdown passes in seven of his last eight games.

Things to look for: From perennial playoff contenders to likely on the outside looking in, the loser of this divisional clash will have a tough time returning to the postseason party. Given the play of both teams' defensive units, the Packers and Vikings should have few problems putting points on the board. But we also know about Green Bay's recent history when playing indoors and on artificial turf.

Etc.: The Packers are making their third of three Monday night appearances this season (1-1 in '99) and are just 15-16-1 lifetime on Monday Night Football, including 9-12 on the road.

The Vikings are making their third of three Monday night appearances this season (1-1 in '99) are just 18-18 lifetime on Monday Night Football, including 10-6 at home (6-4 at the Metrodome dating back to 1982). Vikings head coach Dennis Green is 6-5 lifetime on Monday Night Football dating back to 1992.

This marks the third meeting between these teams on Monday Night Football, the clubs splitting their two previous battles and the road team prevailing in each instance (Packers posted a 27-11 victory in 1997 at the Metrodome, Minnesota managed a 37-24 triumph in 1998 at Lambeau Field). Since 1992 (including playoffs), the Packers are just 12-28 on artificial turf (8 of those losses at Dallas, 6 of those losses at Minnesota, 6 of those losses at Detroit). However, three of those victories came at New Orleans, including Super Bowl XXXI.

Since 1992 (including playoffs), the Packers are 44-21 vs. NFC Central rivals (including 3-0 in playoffs), a combined 38-12 vs. the Bears (13-3), Lions (12-6) and Buccaneers (13-3), but just 6-9 vs. the Vikings dating back to 1992. The Packers are just 8-6 vs. divisional rivals dating back to 1998 (4-2 in '99), this after going a combined 15-2 (including playoffs) vs. NFC Central rivals in 1996 (7-1) and '97 (8-1).

The Vikings are 38-26 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 21-21 (including playoffs) in its last 42 contests vs. NFC Central rivals dating back to 1994. The Vikings have won three straight home games. The Vikings were 47-13-1 at home (including playoffs) in the months of November, December and January from 1967-81 at Metropolitan Stadium. However, the Vikings are 50-33 (including playoffs) in the months of November, December and January from 1982-99 at the Metrodome.

Packers QB Brett Favre (232) needs four touchdown passes to tie George Blanda (236) for 14th place on the NFL's all-time touchdown passes list.