It’s December. It’s Vikings-Packers. It’s Monday Night Football.

Playoff possibilities are at stake tonight when the 7-6 Green Bay Packers and the 7-6 Minnesota Vikings battle at the Metrodome.

"The way the schedule is setting up right now, the game against Green Bay on Monday will be the most significant game of the year," says Vikings head coach Dennis Green. "Both of us are 7-6, both of us are sitting with six other teams that are trying to get what looks like the last two playoff spots. If we're able to [make the playoffs], we think we have as good a chance as anybody else."

Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE also recognizes the importance of the game, and the two after that.

"This is not a position that we’re accustomed to being in," says Favre. "We’ve got three games remaining and there’s a chance we can make the playoffs. This is an extremely tough three games, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We’d love to be 13-0, 12-1, but we’re not. I accept the challenge."

Both clubs are coming off tough, last-second losses in Week 14. Kansas City kicker PETE STOYANOVICH kicked a 38-yard field goal to beat the Vikings 31-28 with three seconds left. Carolina quarterback STEVE BEUERLEIN scored a touchdown on a five-yard draw play with no time remaining to defeat the Packers 33-31.

But both clubs have re-focused and have only the playoffs on their minds.

"The good thing is, if you get into the playoffs, everything else is forgotten," says Vikings quarterback JEFF GEORGE. "You play your best ball at that point."

"I'm still convinced we can be world champions," says Green. "I say that because every team that goes to the playoffs has that chance. It doesn't matter if you're a wild card or not. The first thing we have to do is make the playoffs. And the best step to that is to beat Green Bay."

Vikings cornerback JIMMY HITCHCOCK seconds his coach. "I think all we have to do is win out and we're in the playoffs," he says. "If we end up in a hot streak, I don't think anyone can stop us."

HISTORY

The Packers and Vikings have played 76 times, with the Vikings holding a one-game edge (38-37-1). The Packers won earlier this year (23-20) and if they complete the season sweep, would pull even with the Vikings in the overall series. But the Vikings have won six of the past seven games in the series at the Metrodome, making the task that much more difficult.

The first game between the teams this season on September 26 was a thriller.

Packers kicker RYAN LONGWELL gave Green Bay a 16-13 lead with 4:25 remaining in the game. The Vikings reacted quickly with a five-play, 80-yard drive culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback RANDALL CUNNINGHAM to wide receiver RANDY MOSS to give Minnesota a 20-16 lead with two minutes remaining.

That’s when Packers quarterback BRETT FAVRE took over. He completed five of his first six passes and led the Packers to the Vikings’ 23-yard line where he faced a critical fourth-and-one with 16 seconds remaining, no timeouts and the clock running.

Green Bay needed a first down, and quickly.

But Favre wanted the win and went for the end zone. He faked to his right and then hit wide receiver COREY BRADFORD with a 23-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds left and a 23-20 victory.

It was the second time in three weeks that Favre had led the Packers on a game-winning drive with less than two minutes left in the game. He also did it two weeks later against Tampa Bay.