Favre downplays emotion as return to Green Bay approaches

By Bud L. Ellis

It’s likely to be one of those surreal moments in sports, seeing Brett Favre run onto Lambeau Field wearing purple and white.

But the Minnesota Vikings quarterback — never one to downplay his emotions — is doing precisely that heading into his first game as a visiting player to the field where he engineered so many memorable moments as a Green Bay Packer.

Favre joked this week that he’s been booed in that stadium before. Beyond that, the Vikes’ signalcaller tried to focus on the game as being just one in a 16-game schedule, as hard as that may be for any of us to believe.

Top of mind for Favre, who led the Vikings past the Packers 30-23 in a Monday night showdown earlier this month in Minneapolis, is bouncing back from last week’s 27-17 loss at Pittsburgh, the Vikings’ first loss of the season. For the rest of us, the big focus will be watching that No. 4 in purple and white enter the stadium where he wore that No. 4 in green and white for so many years. 

–30–

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 9:10 pm by bud

Tags: Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, National Football League

Vikings give game away to Steelers, 27-17

The Minnesota Vikings tore up chunks of yards but turned the ball over in key moments in a 27-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It is the first loss of the year after a couple of close calls for the Vikings. The ironic part about it is this is a game that the Vikings should have won.

Minnesota had no problem marching the ball up and down the field, and their defense kept Pittsburgh from moving the chains.

However, the Vikings had two turnovers returned for touchdowns late in the fourth quarter and they simply couldn’t recover.

There is no time for sulking for the Vikings, who must turn around and face the Green Packer Packers at Lambeau Field.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 9:34 pm by steve

Vikings Lose First Game of Season to Steelers

16-and-0, they are not.

The Minnesota Vikings lost their first game of the season on Sunday to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-17on the heels of two incredible defensive plays late in the game by the Steelers.

First, in the fourth quarter, the Vikings were down 13-10 and just had a touchdown from Brett Favre to WR Sidney Rice negated by a questionable tripping penalty. On the next play, Brett Kaisel came to strip Favre of the ball, and linebacker Lamar Woodley rumbled 77 yards for a touchdown, putting the Steelers up 20-10. Check out the blocking by the Steelers defense – Woodley finds a crease, and every time a Viking player comes to tackle Woodley, they’re pushed aside by another Pittsburgh defender.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin called Woodley’s touchdown “one of those slow-motion moments that are a joy in this business,” as Woodley slowed considerably in the last 30 yards of his run, huffing and puffing.

Vikings WR Percy Harvin, not to be outdone, immediately returned the next kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, putting the game right back where it started – with the Steelers leading by three.

Then, with less than a minute left, Favre and the Vikings were driving quickly into Steelers territory, when a short Favre dumpoff to Chester Taylor slipped right through Taylor’s hands and into the waiting hands of Keyaron Fox, who returned it 82-yards for the game deciding score.

“Brett tried to force it in there and the running back bobbled it and slipped out of his hands and it fell into my lap,” Fox said. “I had just run across the field after Peterson and I was winded, so it felt like it was 100-plus yards.”

Despite the loss, at least Vikings fans have this highlight as solace – RB Adrian Peterson proves he’s all man as he bowls over a Steelers defender. Peterson CRUSHES poor William Gay, then runs another 15 yards for good measure. How do you stop that guy?!

Monday, October 26, 2009 at 5:22 pm by bryan

Vikings hold off Ravens, 33-31

The Minnesota Vikings lost a 17-point lead, got it back and then got a little bit of divine intervention to hold on for a 33-31 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

The Vikings race out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a strong defensive effort and Brett Favre’s arm.

They had a 27-10 lead in the third quarter before the defense began to break down, allowing the Ravens to eventually take a 31-30 lead with just under four minutes to play.

The Vikings then quickly moved the ball down the field once more to kick a field goal and take the lead with just under two minutes to play.

The Ravens then moved into field goal position, but a 44-yard kick with no time remaining sailed wide left.

Friday, October 23, 2009 at 4:14 pm by steve

Vikings Stay Undefeated by Beating Ravens

Brett Favre is 6-0 for the first time in his long and storied career.

Favre helped the Minnesota Vikings continue their perfect season by running to 6-0, despite a last-second scare from Joe Flacco and the Ravens.

“I hate to say that I was not real confident because I’m confident in our team, period,” said Favre, who finished 21 of 29 for 278 yards and three touchdowns. “But offensively, they probably just felt like, ‘We could do whatever.”

The Vikings were cruising, up 30-17 after a Ryan Longwell field goal with six minutes left in the game. But a short pass to Ravens RB Ray Rice turned into a 64-yard breakaway, leading to a quick TD strike to WR Derrick Mason to bring the game to 30-24.

After a defensive stand by the Ravens, it only took seven seconds for Ray Rice to run 33 yards for the go-ahead score, putting the Ravens up 31-30.

Undeterred, Favre stepped back out on the field and threw a 58-yard bomb to Sidney Rice to set the Vikings up in the Ravens red zone with two minutes left; they kicked a go-ahead field goal right after the two-minute warning to go up 33-31.

With one last chance, Flacco sliced through the Vikings secondary and weaved the Ravens down to field goal range, however; Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka missed the game winning 44-yard attempt as time expired and the Vikings ran to 6-0 on the season, with a date with defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh (4-2) coming up next.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 8:02 pm by bryan

Harvin a game-day decision for game against Baltimore

Rookie wide receiver Percy Harvin said he’ll be a game-time decision for Sunday’s battle against the visiting Baltimore Ravens. He’s nursing a shoulder injury and was limited in practice the past two days after missing Wednesday’s session entirely.

If the Vikings want to stay undefeated, they’ll almost certainly need Harvin’s services available. He’s already proven to be one of quarterback Brett Favre’s favorite targets, and the offensive is much less predictable and adds a dangerous element to the unit with him on the field.

Minnesota also doesn’t have anyone like Harvin to step in and fill his role. Fellow receiver Sidney Rice has big-play ability, but has been getting more comfortable on the outside and doesn’t possess elite speed like the former Florida Gator.

Still, it’s better safe than sorry for Harvin and the Vikings in this situation. They’ve already gotten off to a great start; there’s no need to rush him back simply to protect an undefeated record. Head coach Brad Childress, Harvin, and management need to realize that this is a marathon, not a sprint. It’d be a surprise if Harvin was used extensively (if he dresses at all).

Friday, October 16, 2009 at 4:00 pm by Raj Sethi

Vikings destroy Rams, 38-10

The Minnesota Vikings had no hangover from last week’s win over the Green Bay Packers, rolling past the St. Louis Rams, 38-10.

Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe scored a touchdown for the third straight game and Adrian Peterson found the end zone twice to lead the Vikings.

The Minnesota defense hounded quarterback Kyle Boller all day, eventually forcing the Rams to go to backup quarterback Marc Bulger.

That said, the defense did give up more than 400 total yards of offense to St. Louis, which has to be at least a little bit concerning.

Minnesota now hosts the Baltimore Ravens, who are desperate for a win after dropping two straight games.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 7:27 pm by steve

Vikings Hammer Rams, Move to 5-0

If there were any doubts about the Brett Favre era in Minnesota, five straight wins have their way of erasing all doubts quickly.

The Minnesota Vikings moved to 5-0 on the season on the heels of a 38-10 victory over the piddling St. Louis Rams, with Vikings RB Adrian Peterson accounting for two of the Vikings touchdowns.

Favre, who turned 40-years-old on Saturday, skillfully guided the Vikings offense up and down the field all day, finishing 18 of 24 for 232 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Favre was coming off his masterful Monday Night Football performance, where he torched his old team, the Green Bay Packers, 30-23.

“I hope there’s many more to come,” Favre said. “I’d be lying if I said I thought I’d still be playing at 40 and not miss a game at this point. I just hope I can lead this team to bigger and better things.”

Favre, who came to the Vikings after training camp this year, has been looking more comfortable with his receivers each week - something that could be dangerous for the rest of the NFL, come Week 17.

“It’s a work in progress,” Vikings coach Brad Childress said. “It’s going to be still until we get done playing this year. I just see him getting incrementally better.”

Sunday, October 11, 2009 at 8:27 pm by bryan

Vikings get past Packers, 30-23

In one of the most important games of Brett Favre’s career, the Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers, 30-23.

Favre got the revenge he has been waiting for, and he did it in a big way.

The quarterback led the way to the victory, not running back Adrian Peterson, as he showed he is much more than the caretaker of the offense.

Favre threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns to overshadow the performance from Aaron Rodgers.

The win keeps the Vikings undefeated and atop the division.

Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 7:49 pm by steve

Favre Stars in Packers’ Worst Nightmare

Brett Favre led the Minnesota Vikings over his former team, the Green Bay Packers, on Monday Night Football from the Metrodome in Minneapolis, throwing for 3 TDs in a 30-23 game that wasn’t as close as the final score would suggest.

While ESPN catches criticism for the glowing accolades they typically lay upon Favre (and the non-stop Favre media coverage), Favre has done everything in his power to earn the attention these past two weeks.

First, he finds WR Greg Lewis for a 32-yard, last-second touchdown to steal a victory from the San Francisco 49ers last week and keep the Vikings undefeated. Then, with his old team coming to town, he steps his game up, opens the playbook and begins throwing downfield, he went 24 for 31 for 271 yards and 3 TDs, with no turnovers.

”I don’t know how to explain it. I felt right, but I guess I never thought I’d be in that situation,” Favre said.

Credit the play of his offensive and defensive lines for the Vikings’ victory in this one. To set up Favre’s last TD, he had nearly 7.5 seconds in the pocket before completing a 28-yard pass the play before his 31-yard TD to Bernard Berrian.

The Vikings’ defensive line also harassed Favre’s former understudy, current Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was sacked 8 times (4.5 by Jared Allen), strip sacked (also by Allen) and threw a pick.

The Vikings take their 4-0 record to St. Louis to face the winless Rams on Sunday.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 8:49 pm by bryan