by By Lori Nickel Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , St. Paul Pioneer Press

The Vikings aren't giving much away these days, which means the bandit defense of the Green Bay Packers might find its chances at turnovers few and far between Sunday at Lambeau Field.

But not impossible.

"There's plenty of opportunities," Green Bay safety Nick Collins said. "A lot of teams that played them already missed out on opportunities. If we just capitalize on our opportunity, we have a great chance to win the game."

Convinced the opportunities will come, the Packers believe the key is creating chances or recognizing them and taking advantage.

"We do takeaway drills every day, taking the ball away from the running back. Scoop and score," said defensive lineman Johnny Jolly. "I mean, Clay (Matthews) had an excellent strip on him the last game, just took it right out of his hands."

When these teams met at the Metrodome in Week 4, Matthews, the Packers' rookie outside linebacker, stripped Peterson and returned the ball 42 yards for a touchdown and helped keep the Vikings , with the momentum at the time, from stretching a lead. It was a big play.

Creating turnovers has become Green Bay's defensive calling card.

"We are No. 1 in the National Football League in turnover ratio," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "It's something that we put an emphasis on. We're doing an excellent job taking away the Football, and we're doing an excellent job with the giveaways. We practice it every day, and it's always nice when you see your training show up on Sundays. That won't change this week."

Forced fumbles are just one way to get a steal. The other is in the air. The Packers would love to try to intercept Favre, with an active secondary or with the assistance of an aggressive defensive line.

A tipped pass from the outstretched arm of Jolly or Cullen Jenkins at the line of scrimmage can turn a Favre laser into a pop up. The Packers don't practice tipping balls -- "no, that's natural," Jolly said with a grin -- but Jolly and Jenkins have a knack for it. Both Jenkins and Jolly have interceptions, the first time two Packers linemen have had interceptions since 2002.

"If you really stress it and take shots at it, you're more likely to make things happen than if you don't," said Jenkins. "Going in, we've got to expect it to happen, be real conscious of it going in and then make it happen.

"Since the preseason, turnovers have been a part of our defense. It's something we stress every single game. It can make the game a lot easier on both sides of the ball. So we've got to stop the run, try to control the pass and get turnovers."

When the Packers get the bonus possession, it's payday. They have 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries and have converted those takeaways into 58 points. That's the third highest turnover-to-scoring conversion in the NFL, behind the New Orleans Saints (72) and New York Giants (65).

The Vikings will be a challenge, however.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers said the Vikings aren't giving up much because they have made protecting Favre a top priority. Giving Favre time allows him to play smart.

"(Favre) is doing a good job making decisions, and they're doing a good job of protecting him. They max protect a lot," Capers said. "There are some teams that are going to be conscious of protection. They're going to keep seven people in and protect first. (Favre) has been very efficient, he's done a very good job of running the team and behind him you have in Peterson arguably the best running back in Football. Peterson is an explosive guy that can come out of there at any point in time."

Peterson is such a threat that defenses can't sit back and just watch Favre. Everyone is keeping at least one eye on No. 28.

Still, the Packers will look for the pick. Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson is among NFL leaders with four interceptions.

But the interceptions might all come down to Favre and whether he can play through his emotions in his first homecoming to Lambeau Field as the opposing quarterback.

"I've seen him play great; I've seen him where he threw a lot of picks," linebacker Nick Barnett said. "Right now, he's playing great ball, makes great decisions. He's getting rid of the ball, throwing to his guys, and they're adapting well to him, too. He's playing great right now."

If Green Bay can force Minnesota into a turnover or two, the Packers know that it will tip the outcome of the game.

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