Brett Favre-Peyton Manning: Postseason Interceptions

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre cost his team a potential Super Bowl title.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning did not.

Before I go any further in this analysis, I am not a Favre hater or a Manning apologist. I respect both quarterbacks tremendously, and they deserve to be mentioned among the best ever to play the position.

But Favre's fourth quarter NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints was a much more deadly mistake.

The Vikings were driving down the field for the game-winning score. With the offense on the fringe of field goal range with seconds left in regulation, Favre did what he seemed program to do: Try to make the big play even when there is no need for it. The play call by Vikings head coach Brad Childress was one meant to be safe, to reduce the risk of a turnover.

Favre rolled to the right after taking the snap. It appeared his options were to hit Bernard Berrian on a short pass along the sideline or hit tight end Visanthe Shiancoe across the middle. A third option presented itself in running for a few yards. If all else fails, Favre could have thrown it away.

However, the gunslinger selected "other" option and threw across his body over the middle with the intention of hitting Sidney Rice further down field. The pass was picked off by Saints defensive back Tracy Porter. Favre and the Vikings never got the ball back, and their season ended.  For Favre, it was a horrible decision by a veteran quarterback with the game on the line.

Now to Manning.

He was presented with a similar situation as Favre, driving the Colts down the field late in the game for a game-tying touchdown. It was 3rd-and-5 in Saints territory. The Colts called their favorite play. Two receivers to the left (Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie) and tight end Dallas Clark lined up on the right side of the formation next to the right tackle. Wide of him was Pierre Garcon far to the right.

The Saints countered with their blitz package overloading the right side of the Colts formation with defenders. Manning sees this coming a mile away and believes Wayne will be open on the slant for the first down.

However, Porter, knowing the defense is sending pressure, and recognizing the play the Colts were going to run, jumps the route and intercepts the Manning pass for a touchdown.

There was much debate about who should take the blame for the interception. Was it Wayne for cutting the route short? Was it Manning for making a poor read?

In my estimation, it was a great play by Porter, who said after the game that film study assisted him in reading what the Colts were doing in that situation.

It also dispels the notion that Manning cracked under the pressure or choked in another big game. Porter simply made a wonderful play. He outsmarted one of the smartest athletes in the NFL. Porter should garner more praise than Manning or Wayne should be riddled with blame.

Favre was reckless with his team's fate in the balance. Manning was beaten by a defensive scheme. Manning and the Colts died with dignity. Favre and the Vikings died on a wing and a prayer.