The Packers already vulnerable offensive line has more questions as it faces the Vikings.

The effort to minimize the hype around Brett Favre’s return to Green Bay is in full effect. The Packers are acknowledging that it is going to be a different atmosphere but they, like the Vikings, are trying to play up the significance of the actual game between the NFC North rivals. Good luck. It might be mellow right now — not too much chatter about things about town (more on that in a pending blog) — but the momentum is going to build as the week moves on.

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger caught up with Vikings DE Jared Allen on the field following Monday night’s 30-23 win over the Green Bay Packers, which improved Minnesota to 4-0 this season.

Jared Allen, never one to bite his tongue, recently opened up to the Chicago Tribune about Brett Favre’s flirtation with the Vikings. While Allen seems to be in favor of Favre joining his team, he made it clear that he’d like the retired quarterback to make his decision sooner rather than later.

Pick your top 20 current players, regardless of position, as I did. It’s more difficult than you think. There’s one caveat — these aren’t ranked in order — but here’s a look at my top 20 as they popped into my head.

Vikings DE Jared Allen might be stating the obvious when he says that every player wants to play alongside retired QB Brett Favre. But Allen doesn’t believe what now appears to be a failed pursuit of Favre represents a distraction for the Vikings.

NFL Network’s Kara Henderson is dreaming of Vikings coach Brad Childress rocking a “skullet” as she prepares for Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Game in Minnesota.

NFL GameDay Morning, the first information-packed show on the air Sunday mornings, checked in at 9 a.m. ET on the only network entirely dedicated to football. Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk, Adam Schefter, Alex Flanagan and host Spero Dedes bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews on NFL Network. This week features a discussion on the future in Detroit, a conversation with Jared Allen, All-Disaster Team picks and whether there is a “Flutie Curse.”

When Vikings defensive end Jared Allen struggled at the start of the season, he took the unthinkable step of hiring a personal defensive line coach.

While the Vikings may have avoided a serious injury to DE Jared Allen, the prognosis doens’t appear to be as good for QB Gus Frerotte.

Costly week for Vikings defensive ends.

Big decisions are made at the NFL’s offices, 280 Park Avenue, all the time. But the ones made in the coming days will come with greater frequency than any time in recent memory, and they will significantly impact the divisional and playoff races in the NFC.

Here’s a look around the league as Week 10 gets underway at some starting lineup changes.

This just in: Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, listed as doubtful with a shoulder injury, is active today versus the Packers. Officially.

What Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen did to Houston quarterback Matt Schaub was worse than what New England defensive tackle Vince Wilfork did to Denver quarterback Jay Cutler.