Around the Division: Minnesota Vikings
Coming off a Brett Favre season that felt more like 1999 than 2009, the Vikings should find it tough to match last season’s production, even assuming Favre is now back in the fold (depending on who you believe). The man is already 40 years old, there simply can’t be that much left in the tank. Not to mention, last year Brett, who as everyone knows is a highly competitive guy, was playing with a chip on his shoulder. With Green Bay turning to the younger Aaron Rodgers, followed by his 2008 late season collapse that saw the Jets on the outside looking in come playoff time, Favre actually had something to prove going into last season, even after 18 years of NFL service. While 4 surely wants to go out with the Vince Lombardi Trophy in hand, the truth is he accomplished nearly everything else possible short of a Super Bowl during the 2009 season. Most of his tangible goals have already been accomplished. Get revenge on Green Bay in front of a prime time national audience? Check. Make a highly publicized return to Lambeau Field and lead his troops to victory? Check. Put up gaudy number is the process? Double check, to the tune of 7 TDs 0 INTs and 500 yards passing in the two games. His play against Green Bay alone shows the fire was there last season, but having had the last laugh over everyone but the Saints and defiantly proving the pundits who said he’d lost his magic wrong, will we truly see a 110 of Brett Favre again this?If we don’t see a showing worthy of last year’s effort, expect to see the Vikes take a step backward. With Adrian Peterson alone, they should still be good for a second place finish in the NFC North, but don’t count on Favre or any pass-catching Viking to match his respective 2009 output.