Handicapping the NFC: Brett Favre Is Still the Key

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Favre threw as many interceptions, 22, as he did touchdowns for the New York Jets last season, but also took them from 4-12 in 2007 to the cusp of a division title at 10-6. His stature was such that long-time underachiever Thomas Jones became the AFC’s leading rusher in 2008 as defenses had to prepare for gunslinging first and ground control second.

If Brett Favre can turn Jones into a 1,300-yard rusher, what will his presence, even at 40, do for Peterson?

Now give Favre Bernard Berrian, who averaged more than 20 yards on 48 catches in 2008. Draft another wide receiver, Percy Harvin, in the first round to complement him, and a 6'8", 332-pound right tackle, the appropriately named Phil Loadholt, to protect the veteran gunslinger after Minnesota allowed 43 sacks in 2008.

Throw in a defense with three Pro Bowl-caliber players on the defensive line: Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, and Jared Allen. The Vikings had the best defense against the run in the NFL in 2009, and though they were a middle-of-the pack team against the pass, veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield seemed to be everywhere last season. The other projected starters are either in, or coming in to, their prime, while Allen led a pass rush that collected 45 sacks.  

Minnesota allowed an NFL-record seven touchdowns on kick returns in 2008, a number that certainly will go down and add another victory to the Vikings’ record.

And the schedule is rather easy, with a 5-0 start a realistic possibility.

With Favre, the Vikings could easily get home field advantage in the playoffs.

It has been said Favre wants to play for the Vikings in order to show Green Bay, personally, that they should have welcomed him back after 16 years of loyal service in 2008.

What he may wind up doing is exacting revenge on McNabb for 4th and 26.

The picks-

WITH FAVRE IN MINNESOTA

1. Minnesota (12-4) Vikes first Big Dance in 33 years if Favre avoids turnovers
2. Philadelphia (11-5) Perhaps the best team overall
3. Atlanta (10-6) Dark horse contender
4. Arizona (10-6) Should get five victories, minimum, out of their own division
5. Dallas (10-6) The best pass rush in the NFC, but QB-RB combo isn’t there.
6. New Orleans (9-7) Brees + Bush = Big Future

WITHOUT FAVRE IN MINNESOTA

1. Philadelphia (11-5) The top seed
2. Atlanta (10-6) But something tells me the Falcons would win a title game
3. Chicago (10-6) Cutler vs. Rosenfels goes in favor of the Bears
4. Arizona (10-6) Only because 49ers schedule is much tougher
5. Minnesota (10-6) Favre completes them, but doesn’t make them.  
6. Dallas (10-6) If they do win the Super Bowl, 4-3 in their last seven games of 2008 qualifies as a “strong finish.”

The 40-year-old Favre is a question mark, but surely more of an exclamation point than Rosenfels. If he signs with Minnesota, the pick is the Vikings.

If he doesn’t, go with Atlanta.

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