For Brett Favre and Minnesota Vikings, Is It Super Bowl or Bust?

The Minnesota Vikings were division winners and playoff contestants last season. With a powerful rushing attack and a strong, supportive defense, they only had one thing missing.

One addition, and they could start thinking Super Bowl.

After months of speculation from the media, the players themselves, and the coaching staff, the Vikings had their "difference maker" in mid-August.

Yes, the one and only, prima donna/future Hall of Famer Brett Favre.

Favre's addition had pre-wrapped expectations of a Super Bowl for Minnesota. He was supposed to be a game manager that would come through in the clutch when needed, but would otherwise play second fiddle to the team's true MVP, Adrian Peterson.

However, after two blow-out wins over the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, Favre's heroic arm was needed much sooner than Minnesota fans had expected.

Nevertheless, the veteran gunslinger responded.

Despite a mediocre showing for much of the day in a Week Three battle at home against the San Francisco 49ers, Favre evaded the 49ers pass rush and zipped a 32-yard pass into the hands of a leaping Greg Lewis, injecting life into all of Minnesota.

Vikings fans who were still on the fence about Favre had committed to the former Green Bay Packer. Favre's magic, dormant for much of 2008 while he played with the New York Jets, was back.

Jared Allen muttered to himself before the dramatic heave, "Be Brett. Just once. Be Brett."

Favre did just that and continued to pick up the slack for a surprisingly ineffective Vikings rush attack. He led Minnesota to a 6-0 start, the best start for any team Favre had led in his 19-year career.

Amidst arm and age concerns, Favre had placed the entire Minnesota offense on his broad, aging shoulders and instilled hope into the franchise that he was in fact the missing piece they were looking for.

Fast-forward to Week 12, where Minnesota stood at 10-1, in complete control of their division and needing to keep pace with the New Orleans Saints for home-field advantage.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Favre and the offense were splitting at the seams. Favre and coach Brad Childress were reportedly butting heads over control of the offense. Peterson was grounded, the defense couldn't stop anybody and this once tough Super Bowl contender was looking more and more like a purple version of the 2008 New York Jets.

That, or the entire NFL world" target="_blank">NFL world was jumping the gun a bit.

After a tumultuous December that saw Minnesota drop three of five contests, the Vikings erupted for 41 points in three quarters to defeat the hapless New York Giants 44-7. Favre was inspired and loose, leading the charge as the Vikings finished the season.

He was brought in to lead the Vikings deep into the playoffs, to beat the Packers, and to lock up a division title for the second straight year.

The Vikings finished 12-4, locked up their division, secured a first round bye, and swept the Packers behind emotional performances by Favre and the rest of his offense.

Now, mere weeks after talk about another "late-season slide" brewing, Favre and the Vikings are just two wins from having the opportunity to realize their goal.

But it all starts with the Dallas Cowboys at home on Sunday.

That sounds just fine to the Vikings. It's not their home stadium where Favre and this offense have found their issues to be exposed. It's been on the road, on the grass, at night, or in cold weather.

But in the dome, they're 8-0, and completely at home.

So, the question remains, can Favre lead the Vikings to the Promised Land, or is this all a big tease?

Are the Vikings, who have been known for their collapses near the end of season and in the playoffs—as well as their 0-4 record in the Super Bowl— for real?

Can they get past their inconsistent defense and vulnerable secondary? Can Peterson get going? Can Favre survive the Cowboys' aggressive defense and out-duel Tony Romo?

Maybe, and maybe not.

The point isn't necessarily about winning the Super Bowl anymore. Obviously, for any team, especially when you're in the playoffs, that is the ultimate goal. No, that is the goal.

But if you're wondering if what they've done so far is good enough, if Favre's return and addition to the team were worth all the hype and media frenzy, just consider one thing:

They're here, and they have a chance.

Because of Favre, the Vikings are one win away from the NFC Championship game, something they haven't tasted since getting blown out by the New York Giants, 41-0, back in 2001.

So, is it really "Super Bowl or bust?"

Either way you look at it, it almost has to be.

However, if Minnesota does come up short within the next three weeks, at least Vikings fans can rely on the possibility that Favre may not quite be done yet.

After all, Favre did sign on for two years, giving the Vikings a two-year window to complete what they've set out to accomplish. It'd only be that much sweeter if they could get it right the first time.

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