The Packers and Vikings rivalry dates back to 1961 when the Vikings first entered the league.
Since then the two teams have squared off 118 times.
It’s a bitter rivalry between borders that often spills into enemy territory.
Across Minnesota and Wisconsin split families have formed over the years with couples arguing over which team is the best.
Caitlin Scanlon and Sam Bauman are one of those couples.
“Along with marriage, kids, religion and politics, it’s something you have to figure out pretty early as a couple as to how you’re going to handle it,” Caitlin says.
Growing up in Madison Wisconsin, Caitlin was raised to be a Packers fan.
Her live-in boyfriend Sam however, was raised to be a Vikings fan.
“We’ve had season tickets as a family ever since the Metrodome was built,” Sam says.
The couple didn’t realize they each cheered for a different team until their third date, and by that time Caitlin says it was too late to go back.
“I already knew I liked him so I was okay, he’s a Vikings fan, he’s probably like most of the rest of the Vikings fans out there who aren’t really fans,” Caitlin laughs.
“And then he told me that his family had season tickets and I was like uh oh, this might be a tough one.”
The couple has survived by sharing a mutual respect for one other.
“He really does love them, as misguided as it is, it’s how he feels and I respect that,” Caitlin laughs.
But it hasn’t always been easy.
Sam had a tough Christmas last year when he met most of Caitlin’s extended family for the first time.
“Only one cursed me for my Vikings gear to my face,” Sam laughs.
“Right, there was more behind your back,” Caitlin laughs back.
As awkward as that was, this game on Monday Night Football will be their biggest test yet.
To go to their first game together, and to still be together when it’s over.
“This will be our first game together at a stadium,” Sam says. “This family vacation might hinge on how well tonight goes.”
“Yeah, it just might be me and the dog going down to Madison this year for Christmas,” Sam laughs.
They might have a shot of making it work.
This year both teams are already in the playoffs.
So, win or lose, both teams will live to fight another day.
That, at least, should get them through until the playoffs.
“If they face each other I don’t think we’ll be able to watch it together,” Caitlin says.
“We’ll see how that goes."