by By Milt Northrop - NEWS SPORTS REPORTER , Buffalo News

It was one thing for Favre to come out of retirement last season to play for the New York Jets, but in the minds of Wisconsinites it was treasonous for him to come out of retirement again to play for the rival Vikings.

Jim Schmitt, the mayor of Green Bay, was looking for suggestions from the citizens for a tasteful welcome for Favre.

One suggestion included importing the Norwich (Conn.) Free Academy marching band for the halftime show. Norwich is the birthplace of noted traitor Benedict Arnold.

Another suggested inviting Italian singer Luca Lionello to sing the National Anthem. Lionello played Judas in "The Passion of the Christ."

Then there was the suggestion that a video replay be shown on the Lambeau scoreboard of every interception Favre has thrown. That suggestion was vetoed because of the constraints of time.

Needless the say, the game has become more than a simple showdown in the NFC North between two longtime rivals. It's become a crusade.

Here's a look at the Week Eight schedule:

>Game of the day

Vikings (6-1) at Packers (4-2)

TV: Ch. 29, 4 p.m.

The line: Packers (-3)

The scoop: Favre lost a fumble and threw an interception, both of which were returned for touchdowns, in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's loss at Pittsburgh. In the loss the Vikings owned a healthy 386-259 advantage in total offense. . . . Green Bay was hardly extended in coasting to a 31-3 win at Cleveland as Aaron Rodgers passed for three touchdowns and Ryan Grant ran for 148 yards. . . . The Packers' big problem will be protecting Rodgers against the Vikings, who lead the league with 24 sacks. . . . Green Bay is third in the league in total defense but has faced three of the league's worst offenses -- Cleveland, St. Louis and Detroit.

Outlook: Vikings defense, not Favre, makes the difference. Minnesota, 31-24.

***

>Top attractions

Falcons (4-2) at Saints (6-0)

TV: ESPN, Monday, 8:30 p.m.

The line: Saints (-10 1/2)

The scoop: New Orleans came back from a 24-3 deficit last week to win at Miami thanks in part to some dubious Dolphins strategy and the inexperience of Miami QB Chad Henne. . . . Atlanta is coming off a disappointing loss at Dallas. The Falcons let the Cowboys' passing game run wild, which is not a good sign when you are getting ready to face Drew Brees and his receivers.

Outlook: Saints were ready to be taken last week. Not this time, though. New Orleans, 27-17.

*

Giants (5-2) at Eagles (4-2)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Giants (-1)

The scoop: How impressive were the Eagles in their 27-17 Monday night win at Washington? They weren't able to sustain a drive, they were outgained by the hapless Redskins, they converted only 27 percent of third downs, their running backs averaged only 2.8 per attempt and McNabb's passes averaged just 10.1 per completion despite a 57-yard scoring play. . . . New York faded in the second half in a 24-17 home loss to Arizona. . . . The Giants won in their last two trips to Philadelphia, but lost a late-season home game and a playoff game to the Eagles last season.

Outlook: Eagles will miss injured Brian Westbrook. Giants, 24-16.

*

Broncos (6-0) at Ravens (3-3)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Ravens (-3 1/2)

The scoop: Ravens lost their last three (at New England, Cincinnati and at Minnesota) before bye last week. . . . Broncos also coming off bye. Denver is 3-0 on the road this season, including key 34-23 win at San Diego two weeks ago. . . . Denver is second in league in defense while Baltimore is only a surprising 19th. . . . Broncos QB Kyle Orton has been very efficient so far -- nine TDs, one INT and a 100.1 passer rating.

Outlook: Orton comes back to earth. Ravens, 27-21.

*

Dolphins (2-4) at Jets (4-3)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Jets (-3 1/2)

The scoop: Miami embarrassed the Jets at Land Shark Stadium three weeks ago, rolling up 413 yards in a 31-27 victory. Jets seemed befuddled by wildcat offense. . . . Miami has won its last two games in this AFC East rivalry after five straight wins by New York. . . . Tough to judge the Jets in last week's rout at Oakland because the Raiders were demoralized by early turnovers.

Outlook: 'Fins feeling hangover of collapse against Saints last week. Jets, 17-13.

*

49ers (3-3) at Colts (6-0)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Colts (-13)

The scoop: Colts have really been tested only once. That was in Miami when the Dolphins controlled the ball for 45 minutes and ran up 239 rushing yards, but Indy won, 27-23. . . . Colts QB Peyton Manning may be on his way to his best season. He leads the league with a 114.5 passer rating and hasn't really had to go all out in some games. . . . Niners turn starting QB duties back to former No. 1 pick Alex Smith, who led rally with three TD passes to TE Vernon Davis in loss at Houston last week.

Outlook: Niners are dangerous but can't trump Manning. Colts, 31-20.

***

>Best of the rest

Panthers (2-4) at Cardinals (4-2)

Kickoff: 4:15 p.m.

The line: Cardinals (-10)

The scoop: Cards are only 1-2 at home with losses to the 49ers and Colts. . . . Carolina seems to find ways to lose and the confidence of QB Jake Delhomme is at rock bottom. The Panthers are having difficulty meshing the ability of WR Steve Smith and RB DeAngelo Williams, and the heat is building on coach John Fox. . . . Arizona is coming off a big win in their final regular-season visit to Giants Stadium, which had been a house of horrors for previous Cardinals teams.

Outlook: Teams heading in opposite directions. Arizona, 33-17.

*

Texans (4-3) at Bills (3-4)

TV: Ch. 4, 1 p.m.

The line: Texans (-3)

The scoop: Texans keep threatening to break out. Now they've won two in a row for the first time this season behind QB Matt Schaub, who leads league with 16 TD passes and 2,074 passing yards. . . . Schaub will provide a good test for the Bills' pass defense, which is 10th in the league and did a decent job containing Tom Brady and Drew Brees.

Outlook: Schaub can be pressured into mistakes. Bills , 17-16.

*

Seahawks (2-4) at Cowboys (4-2)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Cowboys (-9 1/2)

The scoop: Seattle was embarrassed at home by Arizona (27-3) before bye last week. Dallas is coming off an impressive win at home over the Falcons. . . . Cowboys rolled over Seahawks, 34-9, last Thanksgiving but Seattle did not have QB Matt Hasselbeck.

Outlook: Cowboys see opportunity to move up in NFC East. Dallas, 31-14.

*

Jaguars (3-3) at Titans (0-6)

Kickoff: 4:05 p.m.

The line: Titans (-3)

The scoop: Each team is coming off a bye. Jaguars needed to go to OT at home to defeat winless St. Louis two weeks ago. Titans were routed, 59-0, at New England. . . . Vince Young to start at QB for winless Titans. . . . Jaguars won, 37-17, at home in first meeting this season.

Outlook: Jags have won in three of their last five trips to Nashville. Maybe the Titans are finally getting punished for forward lateral Music City Miracle. Jacksonville, 34-30.

*

Browns (1-6) at Bears (3-3)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Bears (-13)

The scoop: No team was flatter than the Bears in their inexplicable 45-10 loss at Cincinnati last week. . . . The Browns have just four offensive touchdowns, one rushing, in seven games and are last in the league (26.5 percent) in third-down conversions. Buffalo is third worst (26.6).

Outlook: The Bears (2-0) are unbeaten at home. The Browns are only 2-3 in Chicago all-time. Their last win there came in 1969. Chicago, 24-10.

*

Raiders (2-5) at Chargers (3-3)

Kickoff: 4:05 p.m.

The line: Chargers (-16 1/2)

The scoop: Who can the Raiders turn to at quarterback instead of JaMarcus Russell, who is a turnover machine? . . . Oakland has scored only five touchdowns. . . . The Raiders played the Chargers to a 24-20 game in season-opening loss, but the Bolts are awake now.

Outlook: Chargers 27-9.

***

>Dog of the day

Rams (0-7) at Lions (1-5)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Lions (-4)

The scoop: The Lions are coming off a bye. The Rams need a week off. . . . St. Louis is 26th in offense and 30th in defense and last in points per game. . . . St. Louis has no rushing touchdowns even with Steven Jackson in the lineup. . . . The Lions will score if QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson play but they can't stop anybody.

Outlook: This could be the dog game of the year. Lions, 24-13.

***

Last week: 7-6 straight up, 6-7 versus spread.

Season's record: 68-34 straight up, 53-49 versus spread.

e-mail: mnorthrop@buffnews.com

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