Vikings: Not There

The NFC Championship game ended in overtime, 31 to 28, with the New Orleans Saints' kicker Garrett Hartley making, essentially, a perfect 40-yard field goal.

It was a game of large mistakes on both sides of the ball. It was a game of fumbles and interceptions. It was a game of yellow flags. And it was a game where Brett Favre got hit simultaneously by two NO defensive players and twisted like a pretzel, injuring his left ankle yet stepping right back into the fray.

At 40, Brett Favre is the elder statesman in the NFL. And I really don't want him to go out like this. Yes, fine, say what you will about "he's retired, no he's not, yes he is, no he's not;" he came back one year with the Jets, an interim shot where the fit wasn't good for both sides.

With the Vikings, I think the fit is just fine.

And here's what it came down to: Minnesota made more mistakes. Simple as that.

Another point of irony: in his last game with the Green Bay Packers, again for the NFC title, Favre's last play as a Packer was an interception. Favre's last play in this NFC title game was likewise an interception.

Favre's played some of his best ball, this year with the Vikes.

I'd like to see him back.

Finally: congratulations to the Saints: their first shot, ever, at the Super Bowl. They made fewer mistakes. They deserved to win.

BZ