Well, sportsbook fans, next Tueday morning I’m either going to be a very delighted or insanely rage-filled man. Why? Monday Night. Packers-Vikings. Brett… sigh… Brett Favre.

I grew up as a Packers fan in the 1990s. Favre was one of, if not THE reason I started supporting the Green and Gold. Over time he became not only my favorite player on those teams, but my favorite player in NFL history. Favre’s ascension to the top of the league was a pleasure to watch, and his steady decline was equally as painful. I had a hard time explaining to new fans that this grizzled veteran, the man who handed out interceptions like Halloween candy, was once the game’s best fourth-quarter assassin.

That’s why the 2007 was pure, unadultered joy for Packers fans. Favre’s clutch 28-touchdown season was one of his best, and it finally gave us some evidence to at least justify–well, explain–why the media slobbered all over him. When Green Bay fell behind 14-0 to the Seahawks in the playoffs, Favre never panicked. Ryan Grant deservingly got much of the credit for his 200-yard rushing effort, but it was Favre who calmly drove Green Bay down the field in the driving snow and made it a game again.

Yeah, the Giants game the week after was a nightmare. But the snow game in Lambeau was the perfect end to a career. The team was content. The media was content. The fans were content. Everyone was content except Favre. Everyone knows the rest–after many twists and turns, Favre ended up on the Jets and finally Vikings.

Which brings us to NFL Week 4 odds. It’s hard for me to even comprehend the distaste I’ve developed for Favre at this point. Once my favorite player, he is now easily my most loathed. Packers-Vikings, Monday night, Favre’s first crack at Green Bay… it was already a huge deal. And then the bastard had to go and throw a touchdown pass to Greg Lewis, knocking off the Niners with two seconds left in the game and sending the Brett Favre Hype Train to never-before-seen speed.

I hate to say it, but I think he’s going to win on NFL odds this week. Minnesota’s defense is superior, there’s no doubting that. Green Bay’s offense is the team’s meal ticket, but they haven’t hit their stride yet, not like they did in the preseason. And it’s REALLY frustrating because even if Adrian Peterson runs for 1000 yards in the game, Favre is going to get the credit, Favre is going to be the media darling, Favre is going to “stick it” to the Packers.

But I have hope. A sliver of hope. I have Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers quietly bided his time while No. 4 was still in town, despite the fact that the veteran never gave him a single shred of advice or respect (I suppose his fears of being ousted for the youngster were eventually proven correct… though I’m betting management will never admit it). And now, with the football world and online betting fans delirious with Favre Mania, Rodgers gets his shot.

Rodgers has already endeared himself to me and many other Packers fans. But he can carve himself a piece of history by carving up the Vikings defense and beating back The Traitor.

Will it happen? I don’t know. But as the adoring media will frequently remind you, Favre overcame the odds many times throughout his career. There’s a new quarterback in Green Bay and it’s time he started casting his own shadow.