While the Belicheck blunder captures headlines around the league among many other prominent games worthy of fodder, the Vikings managed yet another victory against a lowly team.

Some might find fault with the way the team went about their business toward the ultimate result. But, a win is a win, some philosophic genius once opined:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/16/week-ten-morning-aftermath-vikin...

To find fault with this team for not burying the Lions early and getting some rest on the backside requires some consideration. You don't want to underestimate your opponent while you still see your opportunities to try plays like the reverse that was fumbled, knowing they aren't likely to capitalize on your mistakes.

I give the Vikings credit for closing out the game more than expending a bunch of energy to put the Lions on the ropes early. You pace yourself and make sure you save up enough emotion and energy for the upcoming battles that will require more attention/focus.

It's naive to assume the Vikings should blow a team like the Lions out of the water. I saw a team that is raw and developing, and like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can rise up to bite ya if your not patient/careful (ahem, Green Bay). You don't want to give these teams hope, confidence, a notion that they can hang with ya, or worse, beat you. If anything, the Packers blunder during Minnesota's bye week should have been an eye opener about these much ballyhooed "trap games".

The Vikings can put the pedal to the metal when they need. With upcoming tests, they should be in a position to be healthy and energized for a stretch run that will land them a division title and possibly homefield advantage for the playoffs. Saints fans beware. Your team may be about to hit a wall.

Just saying.

On another note...look for Favre's consecutive starts streak to end when this team has clinched homefield advantage. I think he plays the last game against the Bears, but skips the final game of the season. I expect they will be 14-2, and possibly 15-1, if they get past a team like Cincinnati (who knew...beside no. 85?).


 

I think the Packer's head coach is a vindictive man and has some 'splainin' to do. Just read:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/13/firing-of-lambeau-field-worker-c...

You'll see a link in that story that goes to the original Journal Sentinel story detailing the story of the man who was fired. I think McCarthy needs to apologize to that worker and clear the air, because this is going to get a lot of negative airplay and just piles on to this current sentiment about the Packer organization under GM Ted Thompson.

Packers are supposed to be a class organization. After ushering Favre out of town, they've proven Green Bay can be just as crude as any other privately owned team that watches its bottom line before thinking of its fan base and supporters like the guy who got canned for just making a misunderstood remark.



 

Gilbert Brown sums up my feelings on the situation in Green Bay...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/10/gilbert-brown-rips-mike-mccarthy...

I do think the losses to Favre (not just the Vikings) did something psychologically to that whole organization. They lost face and it was like admitting fault in the whole Favre fiasco, because he bested his replacement.

Meanwhile, the doors are falling off the Aaron Rodgers vehicle because the offensive line can't protect him. And maybe he is feeling a bit of that shadow cast on him by number 4.

The rumblings in titletown are about the job safety of GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy. They decided to roll the dice on Favre and when the Pack misses the playoffs and Favre moves on, possibly to a Super Bowl, they'll be standing on the platform with their heads in nooses wondering when the executioner will pull the lever.

I would add one more name to the list, CEO Mark Murphy. He is as culpable as the others, because he stood behind them as this was an organizational decision. He had tried to lure Favre to retire with money, rather than welcome him back. He clearly was part of that 'football decision' that has gone bust. It's more like a ticking time bomb that can blow up in their faces.

Having said that. This is Green Bay. They stuck through many bad coaches post Lombardi. McCarthy had some success (albiet with Favre when he was 21-11...10-14 with A-Rod), so I imagine he's got another season to prove himself.

Ultimately, the biggest mistake was the hiring of their defensive coordinator, without anticipating a Favre return. Norm Capers has never beaten Favre with his 3-4 defense. They have misfits and missing pieces to make the defense function more like the Steeler's D. Aaron Kampman is sorely misused and now may be lost inside his scrambled and concussed mind. Either scrap that defensive or trade away Kampman and get players that fit the formula.

It's very quiet on the Favre front. He's taken care of business and shut down the speculative media. Having said that, let's hope he doesn't go into the tank now like he did last season after taking the Jets to 8-3 after victories over the Titans (then undefeated) and rival Patriots. He may be still motivated to keep the Pack out of the playoffs by taking the division and then taking the team to the Super Bowl to rub their face in it.


 

Recap of Favre's final revenge: Or Return of the Jedi, which means there is yet a third chapter in this saga:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/02/week-eight-morning-aftermath-vik...

Rowdy bunch:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/02/13-arrested-43-ejected-at-lambea...

I already blogged about this possibility loooonnng ago. What's taking people so long to speculate on this. He obviously was not getting along with Thompson who had no plans of building a team that could win a Super Bowl. Why stick around? He was forced to retire, under contract for another two years and no options to get out of Dodge:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/02/aikman-reveals-window-into-favre...

The big show:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/03/vikings-packers-peaks-at-39-mill...

Another accolade for the mantel:
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/11/03/brett-favre-named-nfc-offensive-...