Monday Night Football: 5 Hot-to-Trot Tips for the Big Game

Monday Night Football sees the undefeated Green Bay Packers at home to play divisional rivals the Minnesota Vikings in what shapes to be a huge test for rookie Christian Ponder and the Vikings side. If you're heading to the couch after work or are one of the lucky ones heading to Lambeau, here are five hot-to-trot tips for the game. If you're going to make a dollar or two, here's where you need to be.

1. Head-to-head

In what is shaping up to be a rather one-sided contest for the Green and Gold juggernaut, it would take a brave soul to predict a Vikings victory here. Christian Ponder sees the Packers for the second time in his career and was gallant last time the two played, narrowly going down by six.

However, the fact remains that an undefeated Green Bay side, at home, against its fiercest rivals, will be more than ready for whatever Minnesota are going to know at it.

Prediction: Green Bay 

2. Margin and spread

Last time these two played, as mentioned before, the Green Bay Packers won by six, with Ponder and the Vikings mounting a fourth-quarter charge, bringing the deficit back to a more respectable total. A 20-point third quarter from the Packers all but ensured a victory, and despite clocking off late in the game, they managed to chalk up another W.

Since then, the Packers have increased their offensive exploits, currently racking up 416.4 total yards per game, including 312 passing yards and culminating in a league-leading 34.4 points per game. This is compared to the Vikings offense, led by Adrian Peterson and his 150.4 yards-per-game average. Ponder (and Donovan McNabb) throughout the year have struggled in the air, achieving only 182.2 yards per game.

Whilst much has been made of the poor defense of the Packers —and particularly that of the pass defense—the Green and Gold army will be too strong for the Vikings here, and they won't be clocking off late like we saw back in Week 7. Aaron Rodgers has no nice bits in him, loving to see opponents suffer and he'll get his wish this week as the Pack run out big winners.

Prediction: Green Bay (13+) or Green Bay by 18 

3. Total points

Most of the total points spreads sit around the 50-point mark, so let's go with that for here.

Many will be surprised if Green Bay stays under 30 points for this game, as the Minnesota Vikings defense has been solid but will be exposed in the air as the perfect arm of Rodgers takes on a defense allowing 273.6 passing yards per game. I'd say the Packers finish with around 35 to 40 points in this game, and this number could be elevated.

That leaves us with the Vikings.

Ponder moved the ball well in his debut game and, after the win against Carolina and the bye week, will be well rested and ready to move the chains. In his last three games at Lambeau, running machine Adrian Peterson has averaged 110.3 yards and has rushed for three touchdowns and should be more than able to gain similar yardage against this Green Bay defense.

I'd say the Vikings—through Christian Ponder, Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin—can score at least 15 points and will most likely hit around the 20- to 25-point mark.

Prediction: more than 50 points

4. First scoring play

The Green Bay defense has been shaky at best throughout the year and on opening drives has conceded points on more occasions than not. However, against a Vikings side that will always lean towards running and relying on Adrian Peterson early, it should be able to force a punt while the scores are still tied. That then gives the Packers the ball.

They should have no trouble moving it down the field, and expect James Starks to get a few carries early as Green Bay still boasts more than 100 yards rushing per game.

Essentially, you're looking at the ball in the Minnesota end zone and Rodgers will be tough for keep out from a 1st-and-goal situation. Despite the radar accuracy of Mason Crosby this year, Green Bay will want to get the home crowd behind them early, and Rodgers will hit one of his many receivers in the end zone for a touchdown.

Prediction: Green Bay touchdown 

5. First touchdown scorer

Whilst Peterson and Harvin are bound to score at some point in the game, Green Bay will be the first team to score in this one, and so we're looking to the Pack for the money man here. Greg Jennings seems like an obvious choice, receiving 48 catches for 723 yards and six TDs this year already. Starks, whilst not scoring a touchdown this year, has been dynamic in recent weeks running the ball and should be the running back come red-zone time for the Packers.

However, in this one, let's look a little wider for success here, and both Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley look set to be good options for the first touchdown scorer. Both have already caught five touchdowns this year, with both proving to be the go-to guy once Jennings receives double coverage.

No matter how good your defense is, covering Finley one-on-one is impossible for any safety or nickel, and if he doesn't have double coverage, Rodgers is going to find him open and hit him. But when this offense needs a spark and wants to start something—which it will come kickoff Monday night—Jordy Nelson is often at the end of the big plays through his ability to make incredible catches at clutch moments of the game. Both are good options, but I'm leaning towards Nelson in this one and I think it might be some spectacular catch as well.

Prediction: Jordy Nelson as first touchdown scorer