Mike Vandermause column: Stakes are high for Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
By Mike Vandermause October 31, 2009
The specter of Brett Favre returning to Lambeau Field dressed in purple has so dominated the local landscape that one important fact has been overlooked.
Sunday marks the Green Bay Packers most significant regular-season game in more than a decade. If the buildup to the Packers showdown with the Minnesota Vikings has the feel of a playoff game, maybe thats because its as close as you can possibly get to the postseason in early November.
Theres more at stake here than one person coming back to a stadium, Packers linebacker Aaron Kampman said. This is huge for both organizations in terms of the NFC North, not for any other story line. Whos going to take control of the NFC North? Thats the story line for us. If we win, we get back to where we want to be.
Win, and the Packers put themselves in a virtual tie for the division lead.
Win, and the Packers confidence will soar heading into a challenging second half of the season.
Win, and the Packers become one of the prime contenders to challenge New Orleans at the top of the NFC.
But for all the good things this game has to offer, the alternative could have devastating consequences.
Lose, and the Packers in effect fall three games behind the Vikings and can kiss their division title hopes goodbye.
Lose, and all the nagging early-season doubts will resurface.
Lose, and the Packers will be forced to play catch-up the rest of the season just to earn a wild-card berth.
Packers General Manager Ted Thompson has been methodically constructing this team for nearly five years, and this could be a defining moment in that development.
If the Vikings complete a season sweep of the Packers, Thompsons approach to building his roster will come under serious and justifiable scrutiny.
The free-spending Vikings dont think twice about throwing money and draft picks around to acquire veteran free agents. A second win over the Packers this season would assert their dominance and go a long way in proving their way is best.
A loss would send Thompson and the Packers scurrying to pick up the pieces. Building a team primarily through the draft and filling out the roster with a continuous flow of young talent has its merits. But if the Packers cant parlay that strategy into success in the standings, most notably within their division, then it would be time to reassess.
Thompson has acknowledged, through the signing of Mark Tauscher and Ahman Green, that more veteran reserves are needed on this team. Getting trumped twice by the Vikings would only reinforce that notion.
Nearly all the attention has been focused on Favre this past week, and theres no doubt his anxiety level will be high when he returns as an enemy to a place he once called home.
Thompson also will be on pins and needles, but not because he was the man responsible for trading Favre. That was a sound football decision, and nothing Favre does today will change that.
What Thompson must be held accountable for is the overall strength and depth of the team surrounding franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The least of the Packers worries is Rodgers. What this game will show is how the Packers stack up in other key areas, like their offensive line, running game and overall defense.
Win on Sunday, and all is right with the world as far as the Packers are concerned.
Lose at home against the Vikings, and Thompson will owe some explanations, and it will have nothing to do with the color of Favres jersey.
Mike Vandermause is sports editor of the Press-Gazette.