Minnesota Clinches Playoff Spot: Favre Reminiscent of 2007

Please, don’t fear the end of season “Favre Slide.”

Minnesota is in the playoffs and if there is a time Favre is needed, it’s in the playoffs. All he needs is support from the rest of the Vikings.

In a season shaping up to be much like 2007, for Favre at least, the “Favre Slide” is the last thing they should be worried about.

I was interested to see the differences in the last two seasons compared with this one to prove that he is not in an end of season slide. The research ended up showing me a different story.

First off, Favre is having a very similar season to his season with Green Bay in 2007.

Good thing is, this Vikings team is better than the ’07 Packers team. Bad thing is, a lot of people expect the Vikes to be in NFC championship game this year, while the Packers were a surprise to everyone—as were the Giants.

On a side note here: you may say it was Favre that lost that game for them, not the team. Yes, it was Favre who threw the overtime interception to set the Giants’ game-winning field goal, but if you say that this one play was solely responsible for the loss you would be wrong.

1. The defense that kept Eli Manning from throwing a single touchdown also allowed Eli to throw for 254 yards and on two occasions, in regulation, he put the Giants kicker, Lawrence Tynes, in position for two field goals.

2. That same defense allowed 134 yards rushing and two TDs from the Giants’ rushing attack.

3. The Packs’ running game was all but nonexistent—26 yards and no TDs on 13 carries for a horrible 2.0 yards per carry is hardly any effort.

4. Favre had 236 yards, two touchdowns, and only one interception going into overtime. He had a decent game the first three quarters. He even led the Pack on a 49-yard drive that had two turnovers in one play—an interception and then a fumble. With a stroke of luck, Favre was able to put them in position for the game tying field goal early in the fourth quarter. Before that possession, Favre who had two touchdowns and was virtually keeping them in the game single-handedly.

So, in analysis of this game, we find that if Favre has no support, then he’s makes stupid plays. This game may have never even got to overtime if he had the supporting cast around him that he needed. Now when he struggles with the right support, that is on him.

There are many similarities between this season and the ’07 season, as far as Favre’s play heading into the final five games.

By Week 13 in 2007, Favre had racked up 3,356 yards, completed 68 per cent of his passes with 22 TDs and eight INTs. This season, he has 2,874 yards, has completed 69 per cent of his passes with 24 TDs and three INTs.

Now the obvious difference is the interceptions with everything else being very close.

Both teams through 11 games were 10-1. Difference here is the Packers were surprisingly good. The Vikings, on the other hand, were predicted as the division favorites.

Of course, this was a prediction made after, again after, the signing of Favre. Before the signing of Favre, the Packers were the favorite. Wow didn’t know one guy could make such an impact, yet supposedly play so bad.

Now the Vikes have gone through the first two games of the annual “Favre Slide” and for the most part have got mediocre Favre, not bad Favre.

He isn’t starting to slide. He’s been a victim of little to no support against Arizona, again forcing him into stupid plays.

Plus, the Bengals and Cardinals are teams with, at worst, decent defenses and teams that are fighting to secure playoff spots.

So, I looked at the past two seasons in comparison to this year to refute the “Favre Slide” is happening again. I wasn’t able to prove or disprove that, but uncovered some interesting facts that may at least justify his poor play in ’07 and ’08.

This year, he has totaled 467 yards, a 62.6 per cent passing percentage, three TDs, three INTs, and has been sacked five times in the first two of the “Fatal Five.” Last year, Favre totaled 384 yards, 58 per cent, zero TDs, two INTs, and was sacked five times.

Now he had ample run support last year in those two games, 242 yards and four TDs, one scored by Favre himself.

The difference is…

1. In these two games, the Jets allowed 859 total yards and 58 points—the Vikes have allowed 608 yards and 40 points. Almost 300 yards less and 18 points less. That in itself could account for the difference in record, 0-2 last year and 1-1 this year. It’s hard for anyone to win games when the defense allows so many yards and so many points.

2. The Jets were 8-3 going into Week 12, leading the division by one game over the Patriots, who were 7-4, while the Bills and the Fins were tied at 6-5. This was a tight race at this point.

Ultimately, through the last five games, the race remained tight and culminated in a game between the New York and Miami to decide which of the two would go to the playoffs. Of course, the Jets lost and the Fins captured the AFC East.

The Viking, this year, were 10-1 and just two wins away from clinching the division. Now they are one win away from clinching the division and have already clinched a playoff spot. So last year there was less room for error, thus increasing the pressure to win.

3. Favre was injured. Trying to overcome that injury in a pressure-packed situation could have been half the problem.

The argument is pointless to most of the haters, but I say this to prove a point that it probably affects Favre’s poor play.

Now, when throwing in 2007’s Week 13 and 14 performances, there are few differences compared to this year. Favre did have worse stats, 322 yards, 54 per cent passing, 2 TDs, three INTs and was sacked once, but the result was the same.

There is one blaring point to be made that everyone has missed. How? I don’t know. To judge his performance based on his stats in these two games in 2007 would be unfair.

Point in case: In Week 13, when the Packers played in Dallas, Favre was injured in the second quarter (for a recap of the game click here) and was taken out with 10 minutes to play in the second quarter after only recording 56 yards, no TDs and two INTs.

1. If Favre doesn’t get injured, he would have had more yards and possibly more TDs. Despite a failed comeback attempt by Rodgers, the Packers’ backup had 201 yards, one TD and no INTs, and a decent run game that produced 124 yards and 2 touchdowns. This just shows that really it wasn’t Favre that lost this game for them; it was again the defense, which was also a definite problem for them last year and was a problem early on this year.

2. With an injury in 2007 against the Cowboys, the first of the “Fatal Five,” and an injury last year late in the season, it is possible the poor play is due to injuries. One would have to look into the two seasons prior to 2007 to make that determination for all four seasons, but it is safe to say that the elbow injury in the Dallas game could have been part of what was hampering his play at the end of the season.

Why no one has brought this up is beyond me.

His stats have been brought up to prove that he has had trouble late in the season the past four years, but to be completely fair we also need to look at all the things that go into helping a quarterback be successful. Pressures from the playoff race, injuries, support from the run game and most importantly the defense taking some pressure off by shutting down the opposing offense.

Think about it, the defense is the biggest reason for the slump. If it is not at least partially to blame for increased pressure on Favre and the losses suffered, then shouldn’t Peyton Manning and the Colts have like two or three more Super Bowl rings?

Seriously, Manning is the guy right now, aside from Drew Brees and Tom Brady, who every quarterback in the league is measured up to and has been for quite some time. So offense really has never been a problem for Indy.

But how many times did the Colts make it to the playoffs and lose because they could not stop the other team defensively before they actually got to the Super Bowl?

What was different about that Super Bowl season?

They’ve lost in the playoffs six times before getting to the Super Bowl and winning since Manning was a rookie. That’s six out seven years.

The reason: the defense.

The playoff blowout against the Jets, in the AFC Wild Card game, is one where we can honestly say the offense was horrible, but 41-0 doesn’t scream great defense either.

In 2006, the year they won the Super Bowl they only allowed 16.2 points a game in the postseason, including the championship game, and scored an astonishing 26.5 points a game.

So even with the best of the best quarterbacks, if your defense doesn’t step up you are not going to look so hot.

For the Vikings, this year all seems well. The defense got back in stride after a letdown of a game in Arizona, Favre is healthy, and the run game will hopefully continue the stellar play it had in last week’s game. If this all pans out and Favre still continues his slide, then the haters will be right.

Well only partially has he already accomplished what he said he was going to do—make the playoffs.

If the run game is bad, or the defense is horrible, or Favre suffers an injury there is no argument. Yeah maybe if he does slide again it will still be ultimately his fault, but having to carry a team once again is definitely not going to help things. Plus, it isn’t what he was hired to do, as so many of you have pointed out throughout the season.

I hope for him that the rest of the season is good and it does mirror his 2007 season as far as wins and losses, not losing in the NFC Championship game. The only way he can get from underneath the scrutiny is to actually win the Super Bowl, so that is the mountain he has to climb. He’s over half way there.

Of course, being a Packers fan as well, I’d rather see the Vikings do exactly the same as the 2007 Packers, except it would be the Packers ruining their season in the NFC Championship game and then going on to win the Superbowl.

Still, it would be a good alternative to see Favre hoist the Lombardi trophy, one more time before he finally does ride off into the sunset.

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10-1: How You Like Him Now?

With the Vikings two wins away, or one win and one Packer loss away from clinching the NFC north, what can you say about Brett Favre now?

He’s a traitor? Okay, maybe he is.

He’s selfish? Yeah, but what player isn’t selfish in someway?

They all want the same thing: to win. Most of them would sell their soul to the devil to win.

If he’s selfish because he wants to win, I’ll take selfish all day.

He’s indecisive? As far as I see it, he’s been very decisive the 24 times this season he has thrown TD passes.

Say what you will, but bottom line is that he is, at worst, an indecisive, selfish traitor whose team is 10-1 and has all but wrapped up the NFC north.

As I’ve said before, what he has done in the off-season does not matter. The 2,874 yards, 24 TDs, only three INTs, 69.2 passing percentage, a league leading 112.12 QB Rating, and the 10-1 record is all that matters.

I think if he hasn’t earned the respect he deserves yet, then he never will. He is doing what most 40 year-olds can only dream of, ex-NFL players included. Not only is he the starting QB of the second-best team in the NFC at 40 years of age, he’s doing it very successfully.

The man has obviously earned his stripes back.

I know, I know. He’s a jerk, a traitor, and selfish, but lets be real: Wouldn’t you rather be a selfish, traitorous jerk at the helm of a 10-1 team having one of the best, if not the best, seasons of your career instead of being the overlooked hero/fan favorite sitting on the bench for a team fighting for its playoff hopes; or sitting at home knowing you still have “it”?

Call me crazy, but if it were me I’d say paint me purple and call me a Viking.

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Browns Potentially Good: Bengals Give Reality Check

The Browns offense seemed to have it all last week except for a “W”. After a big offensive showing against the Detroit Lions the Browns seemed to be on their way out of hell and on the road to realizing their potential.

Fans were once again feeling at least a little excited about the rest of the season and the off-season. They thought they saw a glimpse of the future.

Then they visited their old uncle Bengals and he decided to put them back in their place. He said “Not today little nephew, not in my house”

The Browns are full of potentially good players, but the potential for talent does not win games—having the talent does. Players with potential are usually the second and third stringers at most.

The Browns have starting positions filled with players with potential and that obviously does not always translate into wins “right now”. Also, for these players to develop their talents and realize their potential they need to be surrounded established players, something which Cleveland has been short on for quite some time.

Many of the fans have expressed to me a number of players that have the potential to be great/good and how there are so many of them.

If this team is so full of potential and talent then why does this team look so horrible at times?

Why are they staring a 1-10 record right in the face?

One would think with so many talented and potentially great players they’d have more wins.

In this week’s game against the Bengals, Brady Quinn only had 100 yards and zero TDs. The rushing attack totaled 58 yards with one TD scored by Quinn. The defense allowed a total of 306 yards and 16 points, more specifically 210 rushing yards.

What happened?

Where did the potential go?

Where’s the talent?

I do agree that there are some potentially talented players here, but none that stand out as true talents. The QB position, for one, has been a mystery for some time now and continues to be a big question season in and season out. They’ve had plenty of potentially good players at QB—Quinn, Anderson, Charlie Frye, Tim Couch, but none have produced well.

The point is there is nothing to be proud of this week. Last week was just another example that even being potentially good won’t give you a win.

They played the Lions, had a good game offensively, lost, but also gained some hope.

Then they played the AFC north’s first place team, the Bengals, this week and got punched in the mouth.

Again, I say it’s time to clean house: not rebuild completely, but in with the good and out with the bad. I’d start with the QB position—Brady Quinn has to go. They are definitely not getting their money’s worth. He’s overpaid and overplayed. Of course, they don’t have much of a choice when their backup is even worse.

Yes maybe the offensive line has a lot to do with it, but one can make an argument that even a decent quarterback can overcome this obstacle.

Aaron Rogers of the Green Bay Packers has been sacked 44 times but has managed to compile 3136 yards, 22 TDs, five INTs and a QB rating of 104.9.

Whereas Quinn and Derek Anderson have combined for 1593 yards, 7 TDs, and 14 INTs with a combined 52.4 rating while only being sacked a combined 25 times; there are not only bad players around them, but lack of talent within them.

The Browns as a whole are terrible, but individually there are some players here that have great potential.

Again, you don’t win with potentially good players, you win with good players. That’s the problem and has been for ten years. The Browns always have potential but are never any good.

True, you have to look to the future and get those potentially talented players; but there has to be some point in the “FUTURE” when the future stops being the future and becomes the now. The Browns have yet to show this talent that has been “potentially” there for some time, win some games, have a successful season and make the playoffs.

I mean, most successful teams add potentially good players to an already strong and talented team. The Browns either add more potentially good players to already potentially good players or even worse mix them with bad players.

What do they get when they do this? A whole bunch of hype that doesn’t live up its potential. They also get a 1-10 record with, like every season, hopes of being good the next season.

Well Browns the fans are waiting for this next season to come, for this talent to actually be talent and yet the Browns, for at least the past ten years, have yet to produce.

The players that were full of potential a year or longer ago, example Braylon Edwards and Brady Quinn, who were supposed to be the talented players now, have all but been a bust for Cleveland.

Now the Browns are relying on the young undeveloped talents of players like Massaqoui and Kaluka Maiava, who by comparison aren’t performing any better than any other rookie standouts in their positions, to win games. Sad thing is these are the best players they have and no one else is producing giving this team a rookie level of play, which in turn gives us the 1-10 record.

Yeah you can have all the potential you want but I’ll take talent and wins now rather than the hope of winning.

Call me an amateur, tell me I’m wrong, but doesn’t a 1-10 record mean I’m right?

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Cleveland Browns: Have They Hit Rock Bottom?

Although the Cleveland Browns aren’t the only 1-9 team right now, they are the worst team in the league.

They lost to the only team in NFL history to go winless in a 16—game season this past Sunday. Yes—they lost to the Detroit Lions.

From top to bottom this organization is horrible.

The ownership is cheap, the general manager was crap, and now their “lack there of” head coach has shown not to be as good as thought. With their best player, Josh Cribs, being mainly a return specialist, this team is just plain bad.

Not that it would make much difference, but with a lot of their supposed better players banged up things aren’t going to change.

Bad play calling, inexperience, and simply a lot of bad decisions have driven a team that finished 10—6 two years ago and barely missed the playoffs to a 1—9 start this year.

I’d say they have a chance to redeem some dignity with the last three games of season against Kansas City, Oakland, and Jacksonville, but at the rate they are going I’d be stupid to even speculate one win against these games.

As we all know anything is possible, so who knows? One thing is for sure with the next three games against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and then San Diego they are theoretically looking at a 1—12 record going into the last three games.

So what’s next?

They need to take a hint from their cross town baseball counterparts, the Cleveland Indians, and just clean house. From top to bottom they need to make changes.

The quarterback situation has been an issue since coming back into the league. They signed Tim Couch in the 1999 draft then proceeded to beat the crap out of him for five years by failing to hire him a decent offensive line.

Other quarterbacks have suffered the same fate—Jeff Garcia, Kelly Holcomb, and Charlie Frye.

The combination, and I say combination because the Browns have failed to designate a true starting QB the past two seasons, is now terrible. It probably has fans wishing for the days of Tim Couch.

Brady Quinn is way overpaid and way overrated. Dereck Anderson has proven that the 10—6 season was the fluke, and not last year’s poor effort.

The Browns have second string and third string quarterbacks rotating in and out of the starting position. With no true starting QB in Cleveland the team lacks identity and a leader. This is the first thing that needs to be addressed as far as the players.

Since the passing game is struggling you would think that the running game would be decent. Yeah right!

Even with the once dominant Jamal Lewis, the Browns have failed to establish any sort of a run game. Lewis, there leading rusher, has yet to break 500 rushing yards after ten games and the only rushing scores have come from Anderson.

This only shows the Browns unending inability to put together a good offensive line or at least keep a good one healthy.

As always the defense is a whole different story. Well not really, they stink too.

Rated 32nd overall in yards per game and 28th in points allowed per game, what more needs to be said.

The defense as a whole needs restructuring.

The coaching staff is atrocious. Many of the the mistakes made on the field are due to bad design. Eric Mangini needs to go and so does the rest of the staff.

The fans are looking for someone to blame. Just pick someone, anyone and you’d be right. That is how bad it has gotten.

In a city where the only hope of a championship is the Cleveland Cavaliers, something needs to change. Something needs to give.

The reality is that this year’s team is a dud. There are the bad attitudes and resentment and a 1—9 record, plus ten years of failure. It’s time for big changes, a lot of them and quickly.

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Brett Favre Still on Top: The Packers Not So Much

At the risk of contradicting myself, I must say the Pack is not as good as I thought.

Still very much in the hunt at 4-3, they looked like a team struggling to survive this past Sunday.

Despite another decent game from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, 287 yards and three TDs, the defense and the offensive line looked horrible and ultimately lost this one.

The defense fell flat, not only allowing Adrian Peterson to rack up 97 yards and a TD, but let Brett Favre all but destroy them with 244 yards and four TDs.

The odds were in the Packs’ favor on a night that one, marked the first time, and probably the last time ever Favre has played in Lambeau Field since the 2007 season and first ever as the opposing quarterback, and two, he not only faced a jacked up Packers team, but for the first time the fans that adored him for 16 seasons.

As he jogged out to the huddle for the first time, he heard something he has never heard in this stadium.

As the boos surrounded Favre, he met them head on with that same country-boy grin he gave for so many years playing here, and began once again to pick apart this secondary.

I think it is safe to say the Vikings are just flat-out better than the Pack.

I mean Favre alone has torched them in two games for 515 yards and seven TDs.

Of course Rodgers has put up phenomenal numbers as well, with 671 yards and five TDs, but it’s not been his fault that he’s been sacked 14 times between the two games and the Pack has run for no touchdowns.

It’s not his fault this defense has allowed 685 total offensive yards and 68 points in the two contests.

The Pack failed miserably in what was needed to be done to stop the Favre/AP train. There was virtually no pressure applied by the defense and the O-line again was unable to protect Rodgers.

If they do not cure their problems, missing the playoffs could be the least of their worries. With Rodgers having injuries to both feet, I’m not sure he can take much more punishment.

For all who still want to pile on Favre for his performance last week, don’t.

First of all Favre was blindsided on the fumble, because Phil Loadholt could not hold his block. Steve Hutchinson was running alongside Favre in pursuit of Lamar Woodley, the linebacker for Pittsburgh who recovered the fumble, and made a poor effort in an attempt to tackle Woodley, same as Favre.

Favre only gave up on the play after he was blocked and then realized there were three other Vikes there to make the play. Anthony Herrera was in position to make a stop, but was blocked as well. No one called Loadholt’s, Hutchinson’s, or Herrera’s intentions into question.

Secondly a little screen pass that was intercepted, that for some reason Chester Taylor was unable to hang on to even though it hit him right in the hands, is not Favre’s fault.

Again, Favre’s intentions with the team have been called into question in the pursuit of the defender when he again supposedly gave up on the play.

For someone’s intentions to be called into question after he has done everything he has been asked to do is ludicrous.

Favre has played second fiddle to AP, has been smart with the ball, only three interceptions after eight games, and has fought the urge to force plays and make risky decisions. This does not sound like a guy who is out for himself.

As far as not giving the extra effort, I do believe it was old number four who ran 50 yards to throw a crucial block on a 49ers linebacker with no regard for himself.

What more does he have to prove?

Nothing.

The man can mash.

With the Vikings at 7-1, they are at most five wins from making the playoffs with eight games left.

The Packers are 4-3 now, but very much still in contention. With another game against the Lions and one against the Bears, plus games against the Buccaneers and Seahawks they can definitely clinch second place in the division and still have a good chance at a wild card spot even if the Vikings were to win out the season.

Let’s not forget, no offense to Favre, but the Vikings are two to three games away from Favre’s annual end of season slump. Unless he avoids it, this could turn into a battle for the division.

In a season where I’ve had to stomach my favorite player demolishing my favorite team and have had to show respect for my team’s rival because of Favre and two early season stompings, anything is possible.

Lastly to all you Favre bashers:

If there is one thing I’ve learned during the past 18 seasons, Favre thrives on adversity. So go ahead heckle, boo, and bash all you want. You might just boo Favre right into the Superbowl.

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The Packers: Flying Below The Radar

In a season overshadowed by the return of Brett Favre, the Pack may be performing better than the almost perfect Vikings.

Although the Vikings have stolen the show, the Packers have put themselves in a position to win the division many believed they would. Of course this prediction was made before “Mr. Unsure” (Favre) finally made his decision to come back.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of Brett Favre and have defended him all season, but his actions have enabled a talented Green Bay team to play without speculation.

With another showdown this Sunday, the Pack has a chance to make a statement and put out the lights that create Favre’s ginormous shadow.

Although a 4-2 record does not reflect dominance, their success is reflected by the numbers.

With the third best defense in the league and the eighth best offense, the Pack has a chance to put the screws to the Vikings and sit along side them at the No. 1 spot in the division.

They still have the Bears to contend with, but I think they’ll prevail there as well.

It’s a close race thus far and with the exception of the Lions, the NFC north looks like the AFC east of 2008. It will probably come down to the last two games of the season to see who lives and dies.

The Vikes are 6-1, the Pack are 4-2, and the Bears are 3-3 with a bye this week. Of course the Lions need a miracle again.

This could turn into a real contest, with many questions answered.  The question everyone is asking: Can Favre finish out, avoid his annual end-of-season implosion, and help lead his team to the post season?

Aaron Rodgers is again living up to the comparison, which is sadly being overlooked by Favre’s play in Minnesota.

Can he brush the chip off his shoulders and move out of the shadows?

Lucky for him, he may just do so this weekend with a win against the Vikings. If not, he’ll have to wait until the playoffs or the offseason when Favre, hopefully, retires.

The last question to be answered: Will all the off-season whining and crying pay off for Jay Cutler? Can he get back the momentum and get his team to the postseason?

Only one team can go all the way, and at best only two of them will make it to the playoffs.

In the midst of all of this, the Packers are close to topping the charts in offense and defense.

Offensively they are eighth in the league, fourth in the NFC with 376.3 yards per game. They’ve scored 161 points (ninth NFL, fifth NFC) for 26.8 points per game (eighth NFL, fifth NFC). They also are in the top-10 in passing and rushing.

More impressing is their defense, ranked third in the league and second in the NFC. A defense that had difficulty finishing games last year is holding teams to 96 points (third NFL, first NFC) for 16.0 points per game (fifth NFL, first NFC) through six games.

Not to mention Rodgers is having another great year ranked sixth in the league for yards, 1702 (first in the NFC), yards per game, 238.7 (first in the NFC) and touchdowns, 11 (tied for third in the NFC). He also has a 110.8 QB rating, second only to Peyton Manning.

Ryan Grant has been consistent, and is ranked in the top five in most statistical categories at running back in the NFC.

The race is tight and the competition fierce. After seven weeks it’s really hard to say who is the favorite.

All I know is, despite two losses, the Packers look really good thus far. If they can keep playing the way they have been, we should see them in the playoffs.

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Favre and The Vikes: The Real Deal

After six weeks of debating, I think it’s time for all the nay-sayers to show some respect.

The Minnesota Vikings are 6-0.

Brett Favre has only thrown two picks in 178 attempts and Adrian Peterson (AP) leads the league in rushing yards and is second in TDs.

I am, as most know a Packers fan and a huge Favre fan; but as I said in the beginning of the season, the Vikes’ were just a QB away from making a run. I think 6-0 definitely can be considered making a run.

Also, you have to remember that for the last three years, I’ve stood by my belief that Favre wasn’t washed up. To all the networks, websites, and friends who thought I was crazy, I say to you, “What now?”

With the help of the defense, AP and Favre are getting it done, the Vikings may just be the best team in the NFC at the current moment.

Although Favre has not been stellar at times, he’s definitely proven he still has what it takes. He’s proven he was- and is- the answer to this team’s QB problems as well.

Throughout the season, Favre’s game has also matured by only giving up two picks in 178 attempts and six games. Though statistically, some games may not seem great, Favre has made key plays in every game this season.

I took the time to come with his end of season projections.

Favre is on pace to finish with 3,562 YDs, 32 TDs, 5 INTs, a 69.6 completion percentage, and a 109.5 QB rating. I’d say that is pretty darn good. Of course, that all depends on if he slips back into gunslinger mode, and whether or not he avoids his usual end of season implosion.

If he finishes anywhere near my projected stats, whether or not the Vikes make it to the playoffs, Favre will have done everything he could to get this team over the hump.

After today’s game against the Ravens, 21/29, 278 YDs and 3 TDS, I’d say Favre is the real deal.

This season is really shaping up for a great ending with another drama filled contest in Green Bay in two weeks. It’s unreal to think if the Vikes win the next two games, they are at most, four wins away from clinching a playoff spot.

Now that I’m done bragging about a team I hate and a guy I love, the reality of the next two games has to be discussed.

The Vikes are traveling to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers next week.

The way that Pittsburgh has been playing the last three weeks says they may be a tough challenge, but are beatable. I can see this game going either way, especially with Favre facing one of the best safeties in the league, Troy Polamalu.

Brett vs. the Pack II is definitely going to be another close one.

It will be interesting to see if Aaron Rodgers can knock that chip off his shoulder and win this one; and if Favre will rise to the occasion again and stick it to his team of 16 years; in the place he called home for so long. Unfortunately, for us Packers fans, the latter is more believable.

This game could also go either way.

I hope the Pack can pull it together and even the score.

The way things have been going this season, the next two games can be won by either side. Realistically, I’d say the Vikes split these two- which one they’ll lose is hard to say.

Right now, the division is theirs to lose.

A loss to Green Bay would definitely make things interesting. Not to mention- two second half of the season games against Chicago- who is on a roll lately.

If you noticed, I didn’t mention Detroit, because who really worries about the Lions anymore.

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