The presence of Moss (9 receptions, 3 TD with New England) should change things in a positive way for a Vikings team that is last in the league in TD passes (2) as Week 5 began. Moss figures to immediately be the team’s No. 1 receiver, with Percy Harvin (12 receptions, 1 TD) playing the majority of offensive snaps as well and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (11 receptions, 1 TD) another frequent target. Bernard Berrian (5 receptions), Greg Camarillo (4 receptions) and Greg Lewis (5 receptions) figure to take on lesser roles with Moss in the lineup. The enhanced receiving corps should help open things up for running back Adrian Peterson (392 rushing yards, 3 TD, 13 receptions), who fueled the team’s pre-bye week win over the Lions with 23 carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns. The Minnesota line has not protected especially well, allowing six sacks through three games, and will need to allow Favre the time to get the football to Moss downfield.
In addition to Pace, the Jets could be getting back cornerback Darrelle Revis (3 tackles), who has missed two games with a hamstring problem but has returned to practice. Revis was beaten for a long touchdown by Moss when New York played the Patriots in Week 2, and the team could put Antonio Cromartie (13 tackles, 2 INT) on the star wideout instead. Pace’s return to the field could help mitigate the absence of pass rusher Shaun Ellis (14 tackles, 3 sacks), who could miss Monday’s contest with a knee problem. Jason Taylor (14 tackles, 2 sacks) will be among the others who will need to compensate for Ellis’ possible absence and attack Favre. When Peterson runs it, he’ll be facing a Jets front seven that has held three of four opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards. Nose tackle Sione Pouha (16 tackles) and inside linebackers Bart Scott (21 tackles) and David Harris (23 tackles) have been a major part of the run-stopping effort this season.