Hey, Vikings Fans, Don't Blame Brett Favre for This One

If you simply looked at the scoreboard and the fact that Brett Favre was at least partially responsible for two turnovers returned for touchdowns, you'd easily say that Favre blew it.

That he finally showed his "true colors" or that he "Favre-ed" this one.

If you truly believe this loss hangs on him, you're sadly mistaken.

A closer look beyond the box score actually shows a hard-fought game that came down to two intense, meticulous drives led by Favre, which saw the Minnesota Vikings dink-and-dunk down the field twice in the final seven minutes in fantastic fashion.

Both drives saw the very best of Favre and the Vikings offense, as they completed pass after pass against what is still clearly one of the league's better defenses.

The box score itself reads:

Brett Favre fumbled: LaMarr Woodley recovered fumble and returned for 77 yards; and

Keyaron Fox intercepted Brett Favre for 82 yards.

While you can't discredit the Pittsburgh Steelers' aggressive pass rushing and ability to be where the ball is to make the play, it also wouldn't be correct to simply assume that Favre lost the game on his own.

After a game-winning touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers and another clutch fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in Week Six, Favre had restored his fizzled reputation of late-game heroics.

Despite two turnovers that would suggest otherwise, it was quite obvious on Sunday that Favre's magic was still exuberant, even against the Steelers.

With less than seven minutes remaining, Favre and the Vikings marched down to Pittsburgh's 23-yard line, trailing 13-10.

Favre dropped back, avoided the initial rush, and just as he was about to release the ball, had the ball knocked out of his hand from behind by Steelers lineman Brett Keisel.

While Favre did hold onto the ball after a pump fake and was at least partially responsible for the turnover, it was not a blatant fumble and was arguably credited more to the Steelers' pressure on the offensive line.

The final play that decided the game can't be blamed on Favre either.

Only the biggest of Favre haters will sit back and laugh at the future Hall of Famer while insinuating that he "blew" this game.

In all actuality, it was just plain old dumb luck...

To finish the rest of this article, go here.

Kevin Roberts is an official Brett Favre Examiner, covering one of the NFL's greatest quarterbacks and giving you the best editorials and coverage in what could be his final season.