Packers vs. Vikings III: They Will Meet Again...In the Playoffs

For all intensive purposes, the Vikings have clinched a playoff berth. It would take a meltdown of biblical proportions for them not to see postseason play.

At the same time, the current runners-up in the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers, have suddenly topped the list of NFC Wild Card teams. 

The Packers, at times, have looked good. Their offense can compete with the best of them. In fact, the Packers rank seventh in total yards and eighth in scoring in the NFL. Even their defense is ranked third in total yards allowed.

At other times, however, the Packers looked horrific. Sacks plague the offense, and their defense seems hard pressed to hold a lead. They squeaked past the 49ers this past weekend, and outright lost to the Buccaneers.

Packers fans can't be sure what to expect week in, week out from their heroes in the green and gold.

While I'm not one for predictions, there very well may be one I can make with confidence: The Packers will be a Wild Card team.

Their remaining schedule is soft with only three challenges left in the final six games: at home against the Ravens, and away versus both the Steelers and the Cardinals. Perhaps only the Steelers matchup is formidable, yet even the Bears and Chiefs were able to topple the reigning world's champions.

If the Packers can hold it together (or should that be put it together?) for six more weeks, a return to the playoffs seems well within reach.

If the Vikings are in, and the Packers also make the cut, then isn't a third installment of Favre vs. the Packers inevitable?

Somehow, like Crosby meeting Ovechkin in the NHL playoffs, this game will happen.

The playoff game most every NFL fan wants to see in the NFC is the offensive fireworks likely in a New Orleans vs. Minnesota championship game. Before that game kicks off, how nicely would Vikings vs. Packers matchup fit in the NFL's schedule?

If the NFL could script its own playoffs, there would be little doubt "Favre vs. Packers III" would be set in stone. While the first two regular season games between these now bitter rivals were ratings gems, a playoff meeting would be a bonafide bonanza.

The stage is being set for this heavyweight fight now. The question is will all the dominoes fall as need be to make the NFL's wish a reality?