Vikings open against Packers, without Favre

Otis Grigsby
Otis Grigsby #73 of the Minnesota Vikings sprints on the field during a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on August 28, 2008 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys won 16-10.
Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images

The Minnesota Vikings open their 2008 season tonight in Green Bay in front of a national audience.

The Packers and Vikings will play the first of two Monday Night Football games this evening, and all eyes will be on the Packers' new quarterback Aaron Rogers.

That follows the long drama that played out this off-season in which former Packers' quarterback Brett Favre retired, then un-retired, then was traded to the Jets.

This will be the first game Favre hasn't started for Green Bay since 1992.

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The Vikings are looking to at least make the playoffs this year, something they haven't done the last three seasons. They were second in the NFC North last year with an 8-8 record.

The Vikings are also looking to snap a four-game losing streak against the Packers, but they are starting the season without left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

He's suspended for four games for violating the NFL's conduct policy, after being charged for his part in a street brawl outside a nightclub in Miami in February.

Tonight's game starts at 6 p.m.