Vikings Vs. Jets: Brett Favre, Randy Moss and 10 Bold Monday Night Locks

Even before the season started many fans had circled tonight's Minnesota-New York game. With good reason too. Both teams made their conference championship game a season ago, and a Monday night showdown from the Jets brand new stadium would be an exciting early season test for both teams.

Following the trade of Randy Moss to the Vikings for a third-round pick and the controversy surrounding Brett Favre, this already intriguing game has become even more dramatic. While New York enters the game as four-and-a-half point favorites, this is either team's game to win.

Will the Jets take first place in the AFC? Can the Vikings rebound from their early-season struggles? How will Randy Moss play in his return to the purple and gold? Click on for 10 guarantees concerning tonight's exciting match-up.

10. Tonight's Game Will Be the Highest Rated MNF Game This Season

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 9: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings pretends to moon the crowd after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC wild-card game at Lambeau Field on January 9, 2005 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The

With millions of American's getting Columbus day off of work and two talented teams facing off, tonight's Vikings-Jets game should be the highest rated Monday Night Football game this season.

For those who don't have interest in the athletic competition, there are a plethora of reason's to tune in. Maybe you saw Hard Knocks and have interest in a personal manner. Maybe you are curious to see Randy Moss' season debut as a Viking. Maybe the Brett Favre tabloid headlines have grabbed your attention.

Whatever the reason, there is a palpable excitement surrounding this game, and the ratings are sure to reflect that.

9. Randy Moss Will Struggle Against Revis

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 22: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets defends against Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

In his last three games on Revis Island, Randy Moss has managed only 11 catches for 96 yards. Perhaps with this type of production Darrelle Revis was justified in calling Moss a slouch—after all, on many occasions against the Dolphins and Jets it appeared as though Moss had stopped trying.

While I'm sure Moss will look to impress in his first game back with the Vikings, history favors the Jets. Expect around five catches for 50 yards from Moss tonight.

8. Percy Harvin Will Have His Best Game of the Year

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Percy Harvin #12 of the Minnesota Vikings makes a catch for a reception in front of Chris Houston #23 of the Detroit Lions during the first half at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on September 26, 2010 in Minneapoli

Things have not been easy for Percy Harvin this season. After suffering through chronic migraines, star receiver Sidney Rice went down with an injury, and Harvin was forced to step into the No. 1 receiver role.

Now with the addition of Randy Moss, Harvin will be able to move back to the slot where he is far more comfortable and effective. Like Wes Welker in New England, Harvin should be able to exploit the defense as Randy Moss forces defenses to use safety coverage over the top.

Harvin will likely face coverage from either Antonio Cromartie, Kyle Wilson, or one of the linebackers. The Lightning Thief is quicker than the 6'2" Cromartie or any linebacker the Jets could throw his way, while Wilson is still a rookie trying to adapt to the NFL game.

My prediction? Eight catches for 95 yards and a score.

7. There Will Be Fewer Than 40 Combined Points Scored

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 27: Bart Scott #57 of The New York Jets hits Kerry Collins #5 of The Tennessee Titans as he passes during their game on September 27, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Minnesota have the second-best scoring defense, while the Jets rank seventh in the category. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that I would project a low-scoring game. Add to that two offenses that love to run the ball, and we could be in store for more of a grind it out, clock management-type game.

The Jets defense features not only shutdown corner Darrelle Revis, but also star linebackers Bart Scott and David Harris. The Vikings counter with an unbelievable defensive line featuring premier pass rusher Jared Allen, and stud tackles Pat and Kevin Williams. With two world class defenses and two offenses that are introducing new players, expect a low-scoring affair.

6. Mark Sanchez Will Have His Worst Game Since Week 1

Andrew Burton/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets gets sacked by Haloti Ngata #92 of the Baltimore Ravens during their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Andr

In a Week 1 loss to Baltimore, Mark Sanchez was terrible. Despite recording no turnovers, Sanchez threw for a mere 76 yards on an uninspiring 10-of-21 passing, while the offense recorded a total of six first downs.

Since then, the former Trojan has been on fire throwing for 637 yards, eight touchdowns, and no interceptions as his team has gone 3-0. Expect that to change this week against a Vikings defense that ranks seventh in the league against the pass. 

Sanchez struggles when he is pressured and forced to break from the pocket, and with such a dynamic defensive line, expect the Vikings to be in the young QB's face all night. What type of stat line should you expect? Think around 170 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions, and three sacks taken.

5. Adrian Peterson Will Break 100 Yards Rushing

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Lions 24-10. (Photo by Je

Through four games, the Jets rushing defense has been impenetrable. No back has exceeded the century mark as opposing teams are averaging a puny 3.2 yards per carry average (good for third in the league).

However, as the Vikings slowly develop their new passing game, they will have to lean on the running game. I fully expect Peterson to carry the rock 20-25 times this game, allowing him to easily gain more than 100 yards on the ground.

Only three games into the season, the former Oklahoma Sooner star is averaging 130 rushing yards per game on a striking 5.7 yards per carry. At 6'1", 217 pounds, AP is a bruising back. With a few carries sprinkled in from rookie Toby Gerhart, the Vikings should be able to wear down this tough Jets defense.

4. Jon Gruden Will Passionately Defend Brett Favre

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

ATLANTA - DECEMBER 14: Coach Jon Gruden of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers directs play against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 14, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

As many of you know by now, Deadspin recently released posted a series of harassing phone calls, dirty texts, and penis photos that Brett Favre allegedly sent to former Jets gameday host Jenn Sterger. While I opted against seeing the "cock shots," the voice on the recordings does sound remarkably similar to Favre. Combine that with Sterger's silence on the matter, and it would seem as though the evidence incriminates the Pro Bowl quarterback.

Let me tell you something, Brett Favre could get filmed stealing candy from a baby and Jon Gruden would come to Favre's aide. In the booth, Gruden consistently pines about Favre like a young girl with a school-yard crush. He uses cliches like Pro's pro and "real football player."

While I'm sure they will keep the murmurs about Favre's off-field activities to a minimum, they will have to address the issue at some point. However, when they do talk about Weiner-gate, expect Gruden to support Favre.

3. At Least Once, Sanchez Will Be Compared To Favre

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets readies to throw a pass against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Allow me to show you two sets of statistics. Player A: 69,926 yards, 499 touchdowns, 62 percent completion rate, 86.4 QB rating. Player B: 3,155 yards, 20 TD, 55 percent completion rate, 72.3 QB rating. If you hadn't figured it out, that stark contrast represents the career numbers of Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez.

One is arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time, and the other is a second year player who has mostly been used as a signal caller. Nonetheless, I can guarantee that at least once (and in all likelihood far more than once) the announcers will compare these two signal callers.

There seems to be a need to artificially grow the NFL brand by over-hyping certain big-market players like Tony Romo, Eli Manning, and now Mark Sanchez (and yes, I look forward to your disparaging remarks in the comments section).

The New York Jets are a phenomenal team, but it seems as though Sanchez is undeservedly getting all the credit. I hope I'm wrong, but the Sanchez, Favre comparison will be made tonight.

2. The Jets Will Run The Ball More Than 35 Times

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: LaDanian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 3, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. The Jets won 38-14. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Ever since Rex Ryan took the Jets head coaching job, the offense has been completely run oriented. In 2009, this offensive philosophy achieved great results with the Jets leading the league in rushing yards, and the team making the AFC Championship game. In fact, New York rushed the ball 80 times more than any other team in the league.

This season the Jets have had more success through the air, but are still defined by their ability to pound the run. Last week in a 38-14 win over the Bills, the Jets combined to run the ball an astounding 49 times for 273 yards.

Look for the Jets to play conservatively against this talented Vikings defense by hammering with the run. Shonn Greene is a talented, young, bruising back, while LT has made analysts across the nation (including myself) look foolish for prematurely counting him out.

1. Vikings Will Win 20-17

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Shaun Hill #14 of the Detroit Lions is pressured by Ray Edwards #91 of the Minnesota Vikings during the second half at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defe

The Jets offense looked atrocious in their opening game against Baltimore, and that is the game that sticks out in my mind. The Patriots have a young defense and a struggling secondary. The Dolphins have a good secondary, but struggle against the run. The Bills defense is weak across the board. This Vikings D will provide the greatest challenge to the Jets offense since Week 1, and although their defense isn't the caliber of the Ravens, they are in the same league.

Factor in the Vikings desperation after a 1-2 start, the emotional lift provided by Randy Moss' acquisition, and arguably the league's best running back and you have a winning recipe. Earlier this week I picked the Jets to win 17-13, but after the rumored Moss deal became reality it became clear that New York was destined for a let-down game.

You can look forward to an exciting game tonight, but ultimately Minnesota will take home the W.