Brett Favre: Did No. 4 Tank It Vs. Chicago Bears to Get Brad Childress Fired?
Brett Favre could not will his Minnesota Vikings to a win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Instead, he threw three interceptions and lost a fumble as his team dropped to a 3-6 record. It was the Vikings' fifth straight road loss of the season and ninth straight dating back to last year.
But the opportunities were there for Favre to lead his team to a win with the Vikes down by only a touchdown to start the fourth quarter.
Which begs the question, did he tank Sunday's game against the NFC North rival Chicago Bears to get Brad Childress fired?
5. Yes, He Sees the Window Closing
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The previous week's win against the Arizona Cardinals had all the makings of a trademark Brett Favre come-from-behind victory, as he led his team to two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.
Playing a close game against a weak opponent likely did not send the right message to the front office that this team is barely playing up to their potential.
Favre sees that the time for Childress to get fired is now and his window of opportunity is closing to at least make the playoffs and have a chance to win.
5. No, It Was His Right Shoulder, Among Other Injuries
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The oft-injured, always playing Brett Favre had a new ailment to report on Sunday.
He felt a pinch in his right shoulder that may be related to a partially torn biceps tendon he had surgery on in 2008.
We know Favre doesn't make any excuses. But he's got a laundry list of injuries.
From that shoulder to tendinitis to a fractured foot, busted jaw and, of course, a bruised ego. This Southern gentleman was exposed as a New York City pervert by Jenn Sterger's allegations.
If it's not the shoulder that's hurting his game, it's the accumulation of all that's gone on around him this season.
4. Yes, He Wants to Build Up the Importance of the Green Bay Game
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Consider this.
If the Vikings were 4-5 instead of 3-6 going into their big game against their arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers, it may not be billed as an all-important must-win match.
Favre has a lot of personal interest in this battle. And we know he has a flair for the dramatic.
With this Sunday's loss to the Bears, that Green Bay game at home has become even more important.
He may realize that the Super Bowl is not in the future for this year's team. Now he's just looking at what he can do this season.
At the very least, he can prime himself up for a big performance against his former squad.
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4. No, He Doesn't Want to Jinx His Streak
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If he did tank it by turning the ball over numerous times and failing to the lead the team, then a similar response may come from his embattled head coach.
Childress could decide that his prized quarterback needs to rest and recover from his many ailments, and that Tarvaris Jackson should start over Favre for at least one game.
He wouldn't tank it and run the risk of being benched. That starting streak, which stands at 294 straight games, means a lot to Favre.
3. Yes, He Realizes His Teammates Need a Boost
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Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Two weeks ago, Randy Moss lashed out at Brad Childress. Last weekend, it was Percy Harvin.
Although Favre has not been known as a guy that will throw his coaches under the bus with harsh words, this performance may have been a message to Vikings owner Zygi Wilf: See how poorly we're playing, Brad Childress has lost control of this team.
He may have cost the team a loss but his ultimate goal was to help their long-term performance by forcing a coaching change.
3. No, You Boost Your Team by Winning
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Every game is important. Especially one against a division rival.
The team knew what was at stake: Win against the Bears and the Vikes would have been back in the hunt for the division title.
Winning only boosts team morale. Losing will continue to hurt it.
Favre has seen a lot in his 20 seasons in the league and he knows how continually losing can completely demoralize a team.
2. Yes, He Can't Be That Bad
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It's pretty impressive when you consider that one of Favre's best seasons came in his 19th year in the NFL.
At 40 years old, he threw for over 4,000 yards and over 30 touchdowns as the Vikings came within one win of making it to the Super Bowl.
Favre has a rubber arm and the talent to continue playing at an All-Pro level, even in his 40s. There's no way he can be this bad.
He may have started the season slow, but he knows what's at stake and he's capable of turning it up when he chooses.
2. No, He's Just Too Old
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Let's rethink this for a moment.
If he had time to reconsider his decision to return for this 20th season, he may have just stayed home.
Favre may have been an anomaly to be playing at such a high level last year, but that's not likely to happen again.
The reality is, there's only so much a 41-year-old man can do against some of the best, young athletes in the world.
He's too old. This Hall of Famer should be sitting at home in his Mississippi ranch, sitting on a rocking chair while putting his granddaughter to sleep.
1. Yes, He's Emotionally Drained
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Old age, injuries and plenty of off-the-field distractions affect anyone—including Brett Favre.
He may have the heart of a lion but he's only human.
Favre, we've come to know, is not perfect. With all of these things adding up, along with a dwindling relationship with his head coach, and Favre may be at a tipping point.
Childress earlier this season questioned Favre's ability to play injured and his decision-making late in games.
This Bears game was his way of saying: "Eff you Brad! If you're going to point the blame at me, you're going to lose."
1. No, The Team Is Emotionally Drained
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Favre may be used to playing through injuries and distractions because he has that type of mentality, but the rest of the team may not.
It was not Favre that was solely responsible for the loss, it was the entire football team.
Favre's offensive line has shown weakness, and their defense has regressed as the season has progressed, while Adrian Peterson has not cracked triple digits in rushing yards in his last three games.
They're all probably jealous of Randy Moss for finding a way out.
Conclusion: Childress Has Lost This Football Team
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Favre may be the quarterback and the leader of this football team. But he's not the only reason the Vikings have been losing.
Although, Favre's performance against the Bears deserves to be scrutinized. The entire Vikings' locker room is showing a lot of frustration and a lack of motivation.
Favre can only do so so much and he's not solely to blame for the Vikings' possible demise.
All the signs are there—Brad Childress has lost control of this football team.
It's not just Favre that's tanking, the entire team is.
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