One of the keys to the New Orleans Saints getting to the Super Bowl last season was putting pressure on Vikings quarterback in the NFC Championship game.

By getting a decent pass rush and putting several hits on the Ol' Gunslinger, Favre was forced into throwing two interceptions including a crucial one in overtime that a set up the game-winning field goal.

Packers defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins noticed the difference a little pressure can make.

"You see some of the games that he's played in, and other games where people have gotten some pressure on him and games where they haven't," said Jenkins. "You can definitely see the difference in him back there in the pocket."

Jenkins has personally seen the games where very little pressure has been put on Favre because he's played in two of them.

In the two games against the Vikings last year, the Packers had zero sacks on defense. Just as staggering and just as much a reason they didn't win either game, the Packers also gave up 14 sacks on offense.

The Packers are looking to turn the tables this season on both sides of the football.

While not known as a sack artist, defensive lineman Ryan Pickett still knows it's imperative to get a pass rush on Favre, especially compared to last season.

"It's vital," said Pickett. "We have to get pressure on Brett. Last two, I don't think we sacked him. That definitely can't happen this time. If we want to win, we have to get pressure on the quarterback. We have to get him down, we have to get some sacks."

If healthy, Pickett might play a bigger role against the pass than he did last season. Without the Johnny Jolly, Pickett is playing more in the nickel package more than a year ago.

But even if Pickett doesn't play, the rush has to come from somewhere. Clay Matthews is the obvious source.

It's been reported by Steve Wyche of the NFL Network that Matthews will return to action after having sat out last weekend's game against the Dolphins.

He returned to the practice field today for the first time since suffering a strained hamstring in Week 5 against the Washington Redskins. Head coach Mike McCarthy classified it as a "good workout."

"It would help a whole lot," said Jenkins on the availability of Matthews for this weekend. "He's leading the league in sacks for a reason. Him being out there definitely helps the whole defense out."

As for the offense, the Packers can't afford to give up eight sacks on quarterback Aaron Rodgers like they in the first game versus Minnesota in '09.

On one hand, however, the offensive line was somewhat snakebit by injuries last season. Chad Clifton sat out of both Vikings games and Mark Tauscher didn't come back until the second half of the season.

"Sacks are big plays for a defense," said McCarthy. "Those two games were particularly the worst that we have ever experienced or probably I have ever experienced in my career. We’re a little healthier this year with our offensive line. Our offensive line is playing at a higher level. Also, our quarterback has another year of experience, but we’ve got to take care of their front four."

Taking care of Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen in particular, who accounted for 7.5 of the 14 sacks last year, will be of utmost importance.

But Allen isn't alone. The defensive line of the Vikings is among the best in the league. Tackles, Pat and Kevin Williams, present their own set of problems and Ray Edwards is no slouch.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers knows sacks have to be avoided if the Packers are going to have any more success on third downs, which have been problematic this season. And he also knows the burden falls on his shoulders in addition to the offensive line.

"Negative yardage plays are always going to put you in difficult situations," said Rodgers. "We've had too many of those. I think we've had 16 third-and-11-pluses, and those are tough to convert. So we've got to try and avoid those negative yardage plays that put us in a hole last year, because we were having to convert some third downs that are tough to convert.

"We need to find out a way to block those guys up and I need to get the ball out of my hand and hopefully keep those sticks moving this week."