For some it was a blessing. For others, it was a betrayal.

Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers fans filled Buffalo Wild Wings in Bismarck on Monday night for one of the most anticipated NFL matchups this year.

Former Packer quarterback Brett Favre is now gunning for the Vikings, a move that left Green Bay fans feeling raw.

For Lauren Rick, 22, a life-long Packers fan, she said Monday's game was likely the biggest game of the year.

"It's a little bit confusing because Brett Favre is one of my heroes, but I really want him to go down tonight," Rick said, donning a No. 12 Aaron Rodgers jersey, Green Bay's current quarterback.

But does she feel betrayed?

"Just a little bit, but it's (Favre's) decision," she said.

For Jillian Finley, a 26-year-old Bismarck respiratory therapist - and lifelong Packers fan whose brother burned his own Favre jersey after the quarterback was signed by the Vikings in training camp - Monday's game was bigger than the Super Bowl.

"He can do whatever he wants, he's not a Packer anymore," Finley said. "Whatever."

Still, Viking fans said Favre's defection would mean good things for their team this season.

Jeremy Forslin, 33, a pilot from Minneapolis, said despite the quarterback's age, the Vikings could be poised to make it to the playoffs and maybe the Super Bowl.

"Yeah he's 39 years old, but he's better than 75 percent of the quarterbacks out there," Forslin said.

But not everyone said Monday's game was the biggest one of the season.

Jason Friedt, 29, a Bismarck Vikings fan, said even though it was Favre's first game against his former team, Monday night was just another game for Minnesota.

Friedt adds, "It's still funny to see him in purple."

Dan Hanson, 39, a Packers fan from Minneapolis, said he purchased a Favre jersey six months after the quarterback retired from the Packers.

"Now it just sits in my closet, I've never even worn it," Hanson said. "I never will."

(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at 250-8255 or at brian.duggan@bismarcktribune.com.)