A small change from the usual approach with the game observations. Because this game was televised nationally, it was not necessary for me to view it at Vernon's Grille. Outside of those cramped and noisy confines, I was able to type in notes on my laptop as plays happened, allowing for far more of them.

Thus, I added in starting field position on every drive, providing far more context that has been missing in previous versions. (Remember, you can also see more details by the NFL site's play-by-play for each game.) I also typed something in for nearly every play, providing more extensive notes.

This made it far more like a live game blog, though I could not take the time to post it live. The following are the notes as I took them, with additional information added in parentheses:

Vikings, own 16 yard-line...Good run defense (I was still a little lazy at this point).

Packers, own 39...Big fumble recovery (on Brandon Jackson's early fumble). Nice to see a screen-good point from Chris Collinsworth about the frequent chipping technique (employed by tight ends on the Vikings line) masking the play. Good scramble by Rodgers for the first down.

Another false start by Daryn Colledge. Good draw by Jackson and he protected the ball. Nice footwork by Rodgers on third & two. FIRST RED ZONE PICK SINCE HE GOT STARTING JOB! OUCH! (173 straight passes.) More picks than last season (like Favre).

Vikings, own 22...Collins almost gets pick, no first downs for Vikes.

Packers, own 24...Wobbly pass, but Jennings was wide open. How did they get anything on that poorly executed draw? There's our YAC! (James Jones' 45-yard catch.) No blocking on that run, as three Vikings were there to stuff the play-maybe because they tried to go with an extra defender! That is much better! The middle of the line was packed with purple, but Josh Sitton executed it perfectly and Jackson had plenty of room.

Vikings, opponent's 44...Stop trying to strip the ball and tackle the guy! (Percy Harvin's kick return got at least five or six extra yards from that.) Was Adrian Peterson's good run because of momentum? He picked his way through nicely for first down. Harvin's hole was big enough for me to run for a TD! (They were lifeless on offense until that return-special teams are killing us...AGAIN!)

Packers, own 21...An injury that is not ours? Beautiful pass AND catch (to Jones)! Perfect screen design and great block by Jennings! (Both guys are really stepping up with Driver obviously too hurt to contribute.) THAT'S how you close (and I know about closing-I'm in sales)-Aaron Rodgers threads the needle to a third-string tight end. Maybe that isn't technically a catch because of overly litigious interpretation of the law, but it is in spirit (even more than Calvin Johnson's week one vs. Bears)

Vikings, own 25...gotta make that pick! Right in your chest! Gerhart for 11-someone tell Stroh I told him so since he's too chicken to read my pieces now that he's been proven wrong so much. Now he gets just two more, probably because God is putting me in my place for calling out someone. Where's Peterson? Now the announcers ask that, too: I don't mind them stealing my thunder by pointing out the same things I am seeing (this is at least the third time in this game)-at least they are not being paid handsomely to do something I can do better.

Peterson back after Gerhart got 14 on three rushes. Woody falls, but I think Harvin was out at the four on that catch. Make it inside the two...might not have been worth challenge, except McCarthy can actually win one-hope we don't need that challenge (smacks of 2008 in Minnesota). Are both of these offenses going to keep dictating the game?

DO NOT COMPARE VINCE LOMBARDI LEAVING TO FAVRE. He didn't whine about every move being an indication he was not wanted (of course, he MADE the moves), threaten to and eventually quit, then ask for us to demote his replacement, and go to rival out of spite and bad-mouth team.

Packers, own 41...On our return? A pass on third and one? It worked, but it's pathetic when you are that afraid of running the ball. Maybe it's because we only run draws, but we are getting good at them (four yards on first down). You gotta ask for the flag sooner if it's gonna work, Greg, and that's not even a real hold.

Chad Clifton IS handling Jarred Allen-is the mulleted rodeo boozer getting washed up? You guys (Rodgers and receivers) have been playing together for over two years and aren't on the same page? Good call on fake, wide open, and he trips over his own feet!!!!!!!!! That is why you weren't drafted until the fifth round, Andrew Quarless!

Vikings, own 37...Stop talking about that catch that shouldn't have counted-we get it! Nice pass beyond good coverage by the Gunslinger. Harvin wasn't even out yet on that penalty! Even so, he's on his way out, so there's no need to take the chance at them making a bad call. If Bishop gets his hand up, the Old Guy can't get the pass down the middle-no, on replay it's apparent he was to the side of the throwing lane.

We had better win that challenge, or the one we wasted earlier will really hurt. I don't have enough faith in our defense to stop anyone even with a score taken away. I agree with the call-the ball did move, and it hit the ground without him previously having possession like the one they keep telling us we got away with. Shouldn't it be second down? Thank you. Saved us four points and we still have the challenge...and Mac is two for two (is that a first? feels like one).

Packers, own 28...Only second time Rodgers has had to move out of pocket-nice pickup to Jackson. Wow, that flag was late-I guess if you drop it, but still a hold is prior to pass, and that didn't look like a real hold. (IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE CATCHABLE ON A HOLD, CHRIS! But I'll give you one mulligan.)

What's up with still not being on the same page? It's more than one receiver, so is it Aaron? A concussion thing? Thanks for not Favreing that deflection-he just lost yards catching them 'cause he never knows how to give up on a play-LIKE YOU SHOULD HAVE THERE! WE HAD THE TIE! AND THAT'S A HOLD THEY GOT AWAY WITH!

Vikings, own 20...Still not much for Peterson-they should be glad to go in with lead. Mac is still not learning! Timeouts when the other team has the ball are deadly-TWICE in 2008, once in 2009, Colts in 2010 vs. Jags. A safety one-on-one with Moss? Glad they had the courage to make that call on a star. Both teams will let it go-hopefully that stirs some discontent. And yes, Brad Childress shows he's not smart again by doing it. (Actually, he had a pretty good explanation in that caustic press conference-that's twice I admitted being wrong in one half!)

Brett Favre was finally called out by his coach after 14 turnovers through six weeks

SECOND HALF
Packers, own 30...They are batting down passes-it is time to adjust and throw deep drops in. Ask for the interference there! We need two yards and you go low percentage deep pass?

Vikings, own 24...We are still not getting pressure, there is still no room for Peterson to run, and Woodson's blitz too obvious-we never bluff those, and that might help disrupt hot reads. Some pressure gets A.J. Hawk (who clearly still sucks, right, haters? And no, not every critic is a hater, just those that ignore facts like that he is our leading tackler and tied for the team lead in interceptions) a pick...The Old Man"s not hurt enough to leave, guys-this game means too much to him.

Packers, own 43...A couple runs-are they accepting Rodgers is not best option right now? HE HAS ALL DAY on second down! Dangerously off-target to Nelson, perfect to Jennings and we have the lead!

Vikings, own 20...GREAT squib. More gang tackling on Peterson. Of course the Drama Queen got no medical attention to his ankle-the "pain" was for show. (Boy was I wrong here since he has two breaks in his ankle/foot. I should not have questioned the Iron Man's expression of pain given his threshold for it. I was clearly prejudiced by the idea that he had shown elbow soreness to distract from his off-field issues.) Attention is what he's about-and PICKS! (Desmond Bishop-a LB-on Moss!) What the heck was the Gunslinger doing? What he always does-his 36th "pick six" of his career. If we can get Rodgers to stop paying homage to #4 with picks of his own, we're coming away with a win.

Vikings, own 41...That squib didn't work so well. Peterson is now finding a little room, and that helps Harvin get wide open on Woody, who falls for the second time this game to allow a big play-he's getting old fast.

Packers, own 24...Imagine how well Pat Lee would have done on that returns if he had been in position to catch the kick-why did he have to run across the field? Nelson needs to stay in bounds when he's got that much running room. Nice to see a straight-on running play work. Rodgers missed on a deep pass? Nelson may have stopped to stay between defenders.

Another straight-on run works! We CAN run the ball, Mac! These runs are shortening the game, too-good with a lead. Plenty of time to look and make sure on challenge...don't challenge, glad to see them go for it, and GREAT second effort by Kuhn! HAD to have that first to keep eating clock and keep the Traitor from sticking it to us again.

Maybe not much on that dump-off, but at least no sack-did he inherit the Old Guy's uncanny instinct to detect back-side pressure? Forward progress on that catch by Jennings should be past the marker-challenge it? Or just go for it-sneak this time-cause we may need challenge later. DUMB! Same unimaginative play that almost failed last time, and challenge would be inconclusive.

Vikings, own 34...You knew eventually Peterson would get a big run. C'mon-now he moves three guys? (Yes, Hawk was one of them-I would have to be an apologist instead of merely a supporter not to acknowledge that.) Gotta keep 'em out of endzone, and we do look like we're getting tired. Facemask on Matthews not called or we got the sack. Woodson was held, but I'll take Collins' pick-Gunslinger's taking too many chances because he wants it so badly.

Packers, own 23...Fine if Jackson loses a yard so long as the clock keeps going. Looks like first half was offense and this half is defense. GREAT off-balance throw to Jennings (more wobbly passes from Rodgers in this game than all last year). Good idea on the quick hook to Nelson to keep that clock moving without becoming predictable with runs up the middle.

Kuhn is not getting much on any carries. If we're that bad on third and short, how 'bout taking a false start? Where was that throw, and why go so deep on third and short?

Vikings, own 17...Another punt inside the 20! Need to force error-prone Gunslinger to pass with Peterson wearing us down. Nice play C.J. Wilson twice in a row. Good call by Vikes, good stop but Peterson will get this on fourth down (of course they're going for it, Michaels!)-at least they're running the clock. Pretty soon they will have to pass-running out of time.

Clock was at 2:00 before snap-challenge? Won't need 'em anymore. (Was I wrong? Not much protest or questioning of that call by announcers.) No pressure even on the blitz coming out of the two-minute warning, but the coverage was good. Who is covering the slot receiver? And they don't get the snap off and blow critical timeout anyway!

Huge play after the timeout by the Gunslinger. Finally a sack, and by a guy at the bottom of the depth chart (Jarious Wynn) against their best lineman (Steve Hutchinson). Huge screen-I am definitely nervous. But are the Vikings choking again with these consecutive penalties? They finally called the hands to the face that's happened all day on Matthews.

Yes, Harvin WAS out of bounds on the "touchdown" and he even knows it! Good play to follow, but that is their last timeout and they have only two plays left...One play...

PACKERS BEAT THE TRAITOR! PACKERS BEAT THE TRAITOR! PACKERS BEAT THE TRAITOR! Defense finally comes up big for mediocre Rodgers tonight.