Article:Packers to open 2008 in primetime

The Packers will open their 2008 season on Monday Night Football on September 8, 2008 against the rival Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff time is slated for 7 PM ET at Lambeau Field. This is the fourth time the Packers will open their season on a Monday Night. In their previous tries the team is 3-0. The Packers last Monday night opener was a 24-14 win over the Carolina Panthers in 2004. The last Monday night home game for the Packers came November 21, 2005, also against the Minnesota Vikings. There is speculation on whether or not the Packers will use this occasion to retire Brett Favre's #4.

This game will also be a pressure cooker for Aaron Rodgers, who will be making his first career NFL start. This will be the first time a quarterback other than Brett Favre was started a game for the Packers since September 1992.

In their previous five Monday night meetings with the Vikings, the Packers are 2-3, dating back to 1997. The most memorable meeting between these two teams was on November 6, 2000, when Antonio Freeman made a juggling/diving 43-yard touchdown catch to give the Packers a 26-20 victory.

My early prediction: Green Bay 27, Minnesota 20