Vikings Vs. Saints: Why Neither Team Will Make It To NFC Championship

The showdown for bragging rights in the NFC is almost upon us, and everyone is looking to New Orleans where the Vikings and the Saints will battle it out at the Superdome.

Offseason struggles with Brett Favre aside, both teams are expected to fair well in this upcoming NFL season.

But if you're not a Saints or a Vikings fan, you're probably feeling a little left out at the moment.

Don't worry, we're here to comfort you.

Here are the top ten reasons neither team will make it to the NFC Championship.

10. The Madden Curse

Laugh it up if you want, but this curse seems to be a very real thing. Since 2000, every player to grace the cover of Madden NFL has had some sort of trouble the following year.

Michael Vick, Ray Lewis, and Troy Polamalu have all felt the effects of the curse, and now Drew Brees could be its next victim.

It could strike anytime, so Brees should be careful (Think Final Destination).

9. Vikings After Their Bye Week

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FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 26: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks in the huddle in the first half against the St. Louis Rams on August 26, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Vikings will take their bye in Week 4, and after that the hardest part of their season begins.

Minnesota will travel to the New Meadowlands Stadium in Week 5 to see the Jets, come home to play the Cowboys in Week 6, and then play two road games at Green Bay and New England in Weeks 7 and 8.

Brett Favre and company will have their work cut out for them during these four weeks, and they will be lucky to come out of it 2-2 without injury.

8. Super Bowl Curse

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Tracy Porter #22 of the New Orleans Saints intercepts a ball and thrown by Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts and returns it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun

Not to sound superstitious, but there is yet another curse that may plague the Saints. While the "Super Bowl Curse" usually affects the losers, recent Super Bowl winners have seen the effects as well (Just ask Pittsburgh and New England).

This could be simply because the champs let the win go to their heads, but it does make you think.

7. Reggie Bush

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NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 27: Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints warms up during pregame before playing the San Diego Chargers at the Louisiana Superdome on August 27, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

With Reggie Bush being stripped of his Heisman Trophy, the Saints are attracting some bad press along with all of their hype.

This only directly affects one player on the Saints' stacked offense, but Bush's woes could create some tension throughout the team.

6. Sidney Rice

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Sidney Rice #18 of the Minnesota Vikings makes a reception against Randall Gay #20 of the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisiana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints w

Sidney Rice will be out for a large chunk of the regular season due to his hip surgery, and this leaves a large hole in the Vikings' receiving corps.

Percy Harvin is still around, but his migraines might get in the way. And it doesn't look like Bernard Berrian has earned Brett Favre's trust yet.

5. Darren Sharper

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Austin Collie #17 of the Indianapolis Colts is hit by Darren Sharper #42 of the New Orleans Saints during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Imag

Sharper is a key piece in the Saints' defense, and he will be out for at least six games on the PUP list.

When the Saints play teams with aggressive offenses, they will definitely feel the absence of Sharper. Sharper had nine interceptions and 71 tackles last season, something the Saints' defense will have trouble making up for.

4. Peterson Fumbles

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Tracy Porter #22 of the New Orleans Saints attempts to tackle Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Rona

With Sidney Rice out, the Vikings will be looking to running back Adrian Peterson to pick up the slack on offense.

The problem here is that Peterson has had trouble holding onto the ball in the past, and if he repeats his fumbling woes this season, the Vikings will be in big trouble.

Peterson has been said to be working on this aspect of his game in the offseason, so we will have to wait and see.

3. Saints Running Game

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NEW ORLEANS - AUGUST 27: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the San Diego Chargers at the Louisiana Superdome on August 27, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Saints have come to rely on Drew Brees' arm to lead their offense, and their running game leaves quite a bit to be desired.

Other teams in the league will surely notice the holes in the Saints' offense, put more pressure on Brees, and anticipate the pass.

2. Brett Favre

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MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 28: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to pass against the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason NFL game at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on August 28, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by

Favre has been without a doubt an exceptional quarterback, but we have to address the elephant in the room: He's getting old.

Jared Allen and company had to fly down to Mississippi to drag Favre up to Minnesota, and Favre's ankle is a serious issue. Favre will more than likely find a way to play through the pain, but there is a definite possibility that it will affect his game.

1. Green Bay and Atlanta

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GREEN BAY, WI - AUGUST 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks for a receiver against the Indianapolis Colts during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Colts 59-24. (Photo by

Both the Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints are definite contenders in the NFC, but there are other teams that could give them a run for their money.

The Falcons have a chance at delivering the Saints a pair of losses, and the Packers are an even bigger threat to the Vikings.

Green Bay has one of the best offenses in the NFL, and the Vikings will have to work hard to stay atop the NFC North.