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On paper, the Minnesota Vikings are behind Indianapolis and New Orleans as the top team in the league. On the field, you can easily see that those are just numbers.

New Orleans and Indianapolis leave Week 11 undefeated, though in recent weeks have come close to getting their first loss of the season. Minnesota, 9-1, defeated Seattle 35-9 during Week 11. Brett Favre finished that game 22/25, 213 yards and four touchdowns. 

Minnesota lost to Pittsburgh 27-17 during Week Seven, their only loss of the season. That was the only game this season that they failed to score more than 27 points. The Vikings have undoubtedly taken their other opponents to school, having only four of their nine wins with less then a 14-point deficit. 

So, how has Minnesota been so good this year compared to last year? You could look at the major difference between the 2008 and 2009 Vikings, and that's future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. But the success of the Minnesota Vikings this season goes way farther then just the arrival of Brett Favre.

Although, I will admit the addition of Favre has been huge for this offense and gave this team the leadership needed to make this a Super Bowl contending franchise.

First, look at the guys that Minnesota already had before Favre. Adrian Peterson, arguably the best player in the league, defensive-linemen Jared Allen, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams, arguably the best defensive line in the league, and Steve Hutchinson, arguably the best offensive-lineman in the league.

Also, let's not forget guys like offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, linebacker EJ Henderson, cornerback Antoine Winfield, and receiver Bernard Berrian that helped lead this team to the playoffs last season before getting knocked out by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The emergence of receiver Sidney Rice has made a huge impact on this offense, giving Favre his go-to-guy. Rice has caught 50 passes for 875 yards and four touchdowns this season after catching 46 passes for 537 yards in his first two seasons. Everyone knew he had the potential to be a big-time receiver, and this season he finally broke out to become Minnesota's number one receiver. 

Another big time player added this offseason was receiver Percy Harvin, who was selected 22nd overall in this summer's draft. His speed and quickness gives this team a dominant play maker as a kick returner, receiver, and running back. When drafted, it was obviously he would fit perfectly into this system. He has had at least one touchdown in six of this seasons' 11 games.

With the guys Minnesota already had on their roster, Brett Favre was able to come in and give hope and leadership to a team that was desperate for a reliable quarterback. Now that they have one, every player on this team got better, some more then others.

So, to give Favre all the credit for the Vikings' success this season wouldn't be fair, although he has had an effect on the guys that have emerged into stars this season. The guys that this team has is enough for just a decent quarterback to come in and find success. 

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