MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Green Bay Packers need a win to save their season, and they’ll be looking to the usual source for leadership.

Brett Favre’s right thumb is broken, though, making the annual challenge of beating rival Minnesota at the Metrodome even more difficult.

Favre will face several significant obstacles in Sunday night’s game. A career record of 2-9 at the Vikings’ noisy, climate-controlled home. A hairline fracture beneath the fingernail of the thumb on his throwing hand.

Then, of course, there’s Minnesota (6-1), the somewhat surprising leader of this division that’s sure to be riled up coming off its first loss.

“Their record stands and tells it all,” said Green Bay wide receiver Donald Driver. “Any wounded dog, it will turn around and bite you. Right now, they’re wounded as well as we are, so whichever dog bites the hardest will win.”

Coach Mike Tice has been in evaluation mode this week.

“If you can profit by your mistakes and learn from what might have caused the loss … then that’s a good thing,” Tice said. If the Packers (3-4) lose, they’ll be four games back in the NFC North with eight to play. That’s a deep hole. No pressure.

“Basically, it’s a must win,” said tackle Mark Tauscher. “We need to put all our eggs in this basket.”

Green Bay was off last week, the second straight season in which the Packers’ bye followed an injury to their indestructible quarterback.

Last year, Favre partially tore a ligament in his left knee after he was tackled by Washington linebacker LaVar Arrington. This year, he played almost the entire game at St. Louis on Oct. 19 after hurting his right thumb on his second pass attempt.

Favre is practicing this week, and he’s listed as probable. The chance of him sitting out and ending his NFL-record streak of 197 consecutive starts by a quarterback (including 17 playoff games) are remote.

“I want to play because I think I can help this team win,” Favre said, “not because I’m trying to be a tough guy or extend some streak.”

Coach Mike Sherman is confident Favre will provide an honest evaluation of his health.

“You do tend to listen to players who you trust,” he said, “and I trust him.”

Even under a roof, the one environment in which the 34-year-old three-time league MVP has struggled throughout his 13-year career. Favre did play well against the Rams at the Edward Jones Dome, going 23-for-32 for 268 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. His passer rating was 104.7.

But most of his experiences in enclosed stadiums, where he’s 12-21 overall, have been a nightmare. Last year, Favre threw three interceptions in a 31-21 defeat to the Vikings.

“It’s not so much the dome as the team that’s in the dome,” Sherman said. “We’ve never thrown the ball, and it’s hit the roof.”

No one has come out of the stands and intercepted a pass.”

Minnesota, which will play its third straight home game, had its worst outing of the year last Sunday in a 29-17 loss to the New York Giants. Daunte Culpepper threw a costly interception, his first of the season; the running game was inconsistent; and the defense allowed a season-high 450 total yards while only forcing one turnover.

“They’re a lot better than that,” Packers center Mike Flanagan said. “They’re going to come out flying around. They always do. You almost don’t watch the Giants tape.

“They’re not going to play like that again.”

The Vikings are bent on establishing their power rushing game behind Moe Williams and Onterrio Smith and a large offensive line. They ran for 154 yards in a 30-25 victory over Green Bay in the opener, and averaged 204.5 yards on the ground in the two meetings last year.

Running back Michael Bennett will make his season debut after recovering from a broken foot. It’s uncertain how much he’ll play, but his presence should help.

“He’s a home-run threat,” Culpepper said. “Anytime he catches the ball on any play, it could be a touchdown.”

Bennett, a Milwaukee native, grew up following the Packers, and his uncle, Tony, played linebacker for Green Bay from 1990-93.

“It’s one of those games that I look forward to every year,” said Bennett, who attended the University of Wisconsin.

AP-ES-10-30-03 1754EST