{image1} The Packers have already clinched a playoff spot, and they and the Vikings are really more pretenders than contenders for the Super Bowl. But, their Christmas Eve game should still be entertaining.
Both teams are 8-6. The winner gets the title of champion of the NFC North, the equivalent of being dubbed the best dancer in a group of people with two left feet.
Primarily, the division title counts for bragging rights in what is a great border battle in the west part of this state. It also will give the winner home field advantage, at least in the early round of the post-season.
In the Packers' case, the latter would mean at least another game at Lambeau Field for Brett Favre. This writer asked Favre Sunday if the possibility of the game against the Jags being his last on the hallowed ground ever crossed his mind.
"I really concentrated on trying to figure out how to win this game," said Favre, who has been rumored to be considering retirement. "If I was thinking that (about his last game at Lambeau), I probably would have, as I say sometimes, 'one foot in the parking lot.' I won't have one foot in the parking lot until it's over, whenever that may be."
If the Packers lose Friday, and go into the playoffs as a wild card team, they could play a first round game at Atlanta or Seattle against their old coach, Mike Holmgren. Of course, the NFC West, even a weaker division than the NFC North, is still to be determined, as is most of the playoff schedule.
When you look at Friday's matchup, neither team's defense can stop anybody. So, you'd expect a high-scoring affair.
Daunte Culpepper could throw 50 passes in the game, which means a dozen or so holding and pass interference penalties on Al Harris, Ahmad Carroll, Joey Thomas and the other members of the feeble Green Bay secondary. That's probably an exaggeration. Make it a half dozen.
Randy Moss traditionally has killed the Packers, but he still had some lingering effects from injuries earlier in the season. He still will be a plus for the Vikes. Nate Burleson gives the Vikings another long threat.
Favre also could throw 50 passes, but then he has not always played that well in the Metrodome. So, the Packers likely will try to establish a running game with Ahman Green, who should have an easier time holding onto the ball indoors.
The Packers could be very thin in their receiving corps. Robert Ferguson spent a couple days in the hospital after a clothesline hit by Jacksonville's Donovan Darius. Coach Mike Sherman said Monday Ferguson won't play Friday.
If the Packers don't cut down on their penalties, turnovers and mental mistakes, they will have trouble beating anybody the rest of the way. They had five turnovers and 12 penalties in Sunday's loss.
"We have to play smarter football than we're playing right now," Sherman said at his Monday press conference. "We're just not playing very smart. We're violating every rule that you have as a coach -- whether you're in Pop Warner, high school, college or pros -- that equates to winning."
In recent years, the Vikings have become the Packers' biggest rival. Yes, bigger than the Bears. There are players on both teams that really don't like each other. Some of the fans for both teams really don't like each other.
The Packers hold the slimmest of margins -- 43-42-1 -- in the series with the Vikings. The two teams have combined to win eight of the last 10 division championships.
Because the game is in Minneapolis, you have to give the Vikes the edge. Of course, with the Eagles waiting out there, you can ask, "who cares? The NFC title is locked up."
But, Terrell Owens' injury weakens the Eagles, and anything can happen in the post-season. So, the Packers-Vikings game really is a Christmas Eve treat for football fans. Kickoff is 2 p.m. Friday.
You can see a review of Friday's game, and a preview of the Jan. 2 game against the Bears, in On the Pack, which will appear on Monday, Dec. 27, because of the holiday.
Brewers Sale
For the second time, this writer shifted the lead topic of this column's lead because the official MLB approval of the Brewers' sale has been delayed. Club officials now say the paperwork should be done for MLB owners' approval after Jan. 1.
GM Doug Melvin already has started spending some of Mark Attanasio's money, taking on the salaries of outfielder Carlos Lee ($8 million-plus) and catcher Damian Miller (around $2.8 million). So, the new era has already begun.
Hot Tix
While the Packers' game will get the most attention, the Bucks host the Chicago Bulls at 6 p.m. Sunday. The Houston Rockets follow the Bulls into town on Tuesday.
In college basketball, UW hosts UNC-Greensboro at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kohl Center. Marquette and UWM men are off until after the holiday.
The Admirals host Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Bradley Center and then are off until after Christmas. The Wave already has taken off until after the holiday.
UW's football team plays in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1. You can see a brief preview of that game in next Thursday's Weekend Sports Buzz. Also, look for the Sports Buzz Top 10 Stories of 2004 in the lead of next Thursday's column.
