NFL Czar: These games will keep you up

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After the triple threat of great games last week, we have two solid night games to fall back on this year. In the Sunday nighter, we have the Minnesota Vikings visiting Green Bay to face the Packers. On Monday night, we have another division battle when the New York Giants head to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.

If we look back to a season ago, Brett Favre won both games against his former club, and will look to do the same this year. This game is even more important for both teams now, as the Bears seem to be a contender this season as well. Also, the Vikings made a trade for wide receiver Randy Moss a few weeks ago, and being the guy he is, is likely still hated in Green Bay.

The Cowboys will be looking for their first win at home this year, and against a team that swept them a season ago. They have been plagued all season long by mental mistakes, and will have to bring their A-game against this tough Giants team.

Both of these games will have serious implications on the NFC playoff picture. While the Vikings and Cowboys both need to go on serious runs to even think about playoffs, the Giants and Packers are in solid positions to make a deep run. All four of these teams are stellar on both sides of the ball, and these games should be very close.

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
Key matchup: Randy Moss vs. Charles Woodson — With Moss coming over from the Patriots, it gave Brett Favre a new weapon to play with until Pro Bowler Sidney Rice returns. Moss will have his hands full against Woodson, last year's defensive player of the year. This should be a very good battle, and neither team has a clear edge.

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
Key matchup: Giants D-Line vs. Cowboys O-Line — The Giants seem to be back to their dominant defensive ways, and it all starts up front. They have put tremendous pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season, and it has certainly helped their defence. On the other hand, the Cowboys offensive line has been brutal all year long. They gave up six sacks against a brutal Tennessee defence two weeks ago, and it cost them the game. They have been taking a ton of penalties, and that will also help the defensive front.

The Rundown(s)
First off, I expect these games could go either way, which makes them hard to predict. For the Sunday nighter, I'll take the Packers to take down Favre and the Vikes for the first time, by a score of 31—24. Also, I will say there will be at least 15 dumb comments by Cris Collisworth.

For Monday night, it is hard to pick against my Cowboys at home, even though they are 0-2 there this season, I will take them to notch a 28 — 24 win over the G-Men.

For next week, I will take a look at the Sunday nighter again, which could be a Super Bowl preview. For more from the NFL Czar, check out his blog at jvzsblog.blogspot.com