The NFC title game figures to be a shoot-out between to of the most explosive quarterbacks in football, the Saints' Drew Brees and Brett Favre of the Minnnesota Vikings. Both teams can (and will) find the endzone, but neither defense should be overlooked, with both having the capability of causing turnovers, awarding their quarterbacks with great field position, and even finding pay-dirt. On paper, this looks like a wash, but New Orleans may possess the 'x' factor, in the form of the nearly 75,000 Saints fans that have been patiently waiting their chance to become Superbowl contenders, not just long time, gracious hosts of the leagues geatest show. There are a lot of loud stadiums in the league, and today two of the loudest will be on display, in Lucas Oil Field and the Superdome. While Indianapolis, with maybe a little artificial help is going to be extremely racous, it's difficult to imagine anything being loader than the "Dome", as it's referred to by the natives. And those natives have a lot to cheer about, as a trip to the superbowl may be the most symbolic manner for the entire state of Lousianna to say "we're back", after the lasting effects of Hurrican Katrina just a few years ago.
Much like the Saints, the Minnesota Vikings have long waited for a shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy. And much like the Saints they have the potential to become a Patriot fan's pick to beat either the Jets or Colts, unfortuately they have one of the most selfish, polarizing, and unlikable people in sports as their signal caller, Brett Favre. I know that I physically can't take two full weeks of Brett Favre coverage, including stories of being a good ole' boy from the south, or just another guy in the locker room. Throw in a couple of lame Wrangler commercials and I'm officially starting to get queezey, along with a couple hundred thousand Packer fans, who are likely still in disbelief that this jerk is possibly taking their most hated rival all the way to the superbowl. If you think it sucks being a Patriots fan today, imagine being from Green Bay, Wisconsin, ouch.
Anways, it's prediction time, as Pre game shows are officially flooding the television networks. I think the defenses in this game will cause some turnovers, and ulitamtely neutralize some of the big-plays by both offenses. I've been waiting all year for Favre to give us a vintage performance and this week he will deliver, with maybe a fumble and let's say three picks, seemingly crapping his pants like he did in his last NFC Championship appearance in '08. Prediction: Vikings 20 Saints 31
