Top 3 Reasons YOU CAN'T BLAME BRETT FAVRE

When it looked like Brett Favre's final throw in professional football would not be an interception, Brett Favre's final throw in professional football might be another interception. While his retirement remains a subject of debate in football circles, Brett Favre remains one of the longest lasting athletes of our or any generation. Guiding his Minnesota Vikings to the 2009 NFC Championship game against the favoured New Orleans Saints, Favre was within touching distance of returning to the Big Game. However, he isn't the NFL's record holder for interceptions for nothing.

With the score tied 28-28 late in the fourth quarter, Favre elected to pass back across his body into the middle of the field after scrambling out of the pocket. As the ball fluttered towards his favourite Viking target, receiver Sidney Rice (no relation to Jerry, I think), Saints defensive back Tracy Porter made the key pick to stall the drive, and bring on overtime where the Saints won on a field goal 31-28.

As much as the magical Brett Favre may throw bonehead passes, I elect to give him a pass; here are three reasons why...

Here are game highlights for those that missed it!

3) Vikings coach Brad Childress

With a new contract extension in tow, Brad Childress played the good soldier in the post-game press conference to accept the blame for a team penalty prior to the critical Favre blunder. As the Vikings left their huddle, referees noticed there were too many men on the field for the Vikings (12). Now in most sports, if you have more than the number of players allowed on the playing surface, you get a penalty; don't believe me, ask Don Cherry (Skip to about 3 minutes in). If Childress made sure the right number of Vikings were on the field (11), the play would go ahead without infringement and the proceeding play that followed, which is Favre's interception, would never happen.

Dear Riders fans, you are not alone after all...

2) The Minnesota Vikings

Yes, Favre threw two interceptions, when he twice attempted dangerous passes to keyed-on Vikings receiver Sidney Rice. The first was over the middle as the linebackers closed down the passing lane, and the second when Saints defensive back Tracy Porter closed off the backside pass in the fourth quarter. However fans of football, much less Vikings fans, should weigh the following before casting judgment:

1) "Playoff performer" Adrian Peterson's fumble in the red zone in the first half to deny the Vikings. If the Vikings score at least a field goal in that series, then the game would never go to overtime and the Vikings would be in the Super Bowl.
2) Rookie Percy Harvin's two rookie mistakes he made in the fourth quarter: Cutting back on a busted handoff play, and then fumbling the ball against his leg.
3) Berrian reaching for a first down after a completed pass from Favre in the fourth quarter drops the football at the feet of a Saints defender coming to assist in the tackle.
4) The Vikings defense for giving up the middle of the field in overtime so Saints quarterback Drew Brees could complete his short yardage passes over the middle, and then get teammate and kicker Harwell into position for a game-winning field goal.
5) The Vikings loser that picked "Heads" on the coin toss in overtime (I'm just kidding).
6) Favre's interception was in the FOURTH QUARTER; all events in the first four quarters of the game had no bearing on what happened in OVERTIME!

Before the end of the 2009 regular season, NFL Network listed the Minnesota Vikings as #2 in their list of the NFL's snakebitten franchises. Gary Anderson?!

The #1 Reason you can't blame Brett Favre...

1) The New Orleans Saints

If you watched the highlights of the game, seen the Saints play during the season, then you know the Saints as a complete team. Their motors never quit, following the ball and seeking every opportunity to make a big play (See Week 12 @ Redskins). On offense, Saints running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas share their rushing duties providing healthy doses of speed and toughness to the ground game. With a myriad of receivers, Drew Brees achieved dominance over the air in both NFC playoff games (vs Cardinals in Divisional round, vs Vikings in Championship). The key to the Saints' defense is pursuit as they never give up on a play, as evident in the five Vikings turnovers in the NFC Championship. Coach Sean Payton has a team that believes they can win, and a city that believes in them as well. Go Saints!
The New Orleans Saints wanted it more, and they got it. However, I cannot help but imagine what that game would look like WITHOUT those Vikings turnovers?