NFC Championship Game
Written by Marc Jenkins
NFC Championship Game: Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints
Similar to two years ago the NFC Championship game ended with a late, ill-advised Brett Favre interception and the opponent’s kicker nailing a game-winning field goal in overtime. In the 2007 NFC title game Favre threw an interception to New York Giants corner back Corey Webster which set up a 47-yard Lawrence Tynes field goal that sent Favre and his then Green Bay Packers home earlier than they wanted to go. This time Favre’s late fourth quarter interception to Tracy Porter halted the Minnesota Vikings late drive and sent the game into overtime where Saints kicker Garrett Hartley’s 40-yard field goal again sent Favre and his squad home prematurely.
The Vikings began the game brilliantly scoring on their first drive of the game when Adrian Peterson (25 carries for 122 yards, three touchdowns and two fumbles) reached the endzone on a 19-yard touchdown run less than six minutes into the game giving Minnesota a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing drive the Saints would tie the game at seven all when Drew Brees found Pierre Thomas on a 38-yard touchdown pass. Then on the Vikings next drive Favre delivered a five-yard touchdown pass to Sydney Rice which pushed the score to a 14-7 Minnesota advantage.
New Orleans answered back on their next drive with an impressive drive capped off by a nine-yard play action pass from Brees to Devry Henderson which tied the game at 14 apiece. Following the offensive explosion which was the first 20 minutes of the game both defenses dug in and showed up during the final 10 minutes of the first half and kept the score tied at 14 entering halftime.
On the opening kickoff of the second half Saints receiver Courtney Roby returned the kick 61 yards to the Minnesota 37-yard line to setup a short scoring drive and a nine-yard touchdown run by Pierre Thomas which gave them a 21-14 lead. The Vikings answered back with a lengthy drive and a one-yard touchdown scamper by Adrain Peterson to tie things up again at 21 all. After the Saints did nothing with the football on their next drive, the Minnesota Vikings would get possession back however they give the Saints the ball right back following Peterson’s third fumble of the game.
It would take the New Orleans offense just a few plays to score from the Minnesota nine-yard line and a five-yard touchdown pass from Brees to Reggie Bush gave them a 28-21 lead with under 13 minutes left in the game. With under five minutes remaining in the game Minnesota would again tie the game at 28-28 on a two-yard touchdown run by Peterson.
Favre’s major mistake came with just 14 seconds left when he threw into tight coverage instead of scrambling for a few yards and making a field goal attempt easier for Ryan Longwell. The old gun slinger reared his interception prone head and he made a bad decision that cost him and his teammates the opportunity to participate in Super Bowl XLIV.
Once the Saints won the coin toss to begin overtime and elected to receive the ball it was almost elementary from that point on. New Orleans produced a 10-play, 39 yard drive which was capped by Hartley’s Super Bowl ticket punching 40-yard field goal and a grueling 31-28 Saints victory in overtime.
Based on pure numbers and statistics the Minnesota Vikings should have won this game without even breaking a sweat. The Vikings got the better of the Saints in total offensive yards (475-257), first downs (31-15) and time of possession (36:49-27:56). The only stat that wasn’t in Minnesota’s favor was the turnover battle which New Orleans won one versus five. Drew Brees posted a very pedestrian like 197 passing yards while completing 17 of his 31 pass attempts and three touchdowns. Favre completed 28 of his 46 pass attempts for 310 yards and a touchdown but was responsible for three turnovers (two inceptions and a fumble).
For the first time in their franchise’s 43-year NFL history, the New Orleans Saints will be playing competing on the grandest Sunday stage of the year and the only thing standing in their way of the complete story book ending is arguably the greatest quarterback which the NFL has ever seen. Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis Colts will prove to be a worthy adversary which should make for an amazing Super Sunday.
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