Being reasonably new to the NFL, I've begun now to understand the significance of each game. With teams only playing roughly 1/4 of an NBA schedule the impact of each W is much greater meaning you cant afford to 'take a night off' as some teams do in sports with a much longer schedule.
This next point makes even more sense, areally nd is also an equally simple premise to understand, inter-divisional games mean everything. The chance to effectively cause a 2 game swing in your division is huge and with only one team from your division making the playoffs - these games mean everything. Kudos to the NFL because it makes for massive rivalries.
This brings us to tonight's Monday Night Football showdown between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. Asides from these two being fierce rivals a certain player who knows how to throw a football is adding a little bit of extra spice to an already spicy dish.
Brett Favre, arguably the greatest quarterback to ever put on a helmet, and definetely the greatest quarterback to retire twice and return. He may not be the Michael Jordan of football, but many are sceptical and you could draw similaities to MJ's hit but mostly miss return to the NBA with the Washington Wizards.
MJ looked great after shedding the initial rust, but eventually could not handle the wear and tear of a full season, with knee tendinitis. Brett Favre's struggles to be effective after the first 12 games are also a concern. Can his 40 year old body carry the Vikings through a full regular season schedule and into the playoffs, in a season where the Vikings are ready to win NOW?
Favre has already returned the faith shown to him by the Vikings, who signed him to a one year 12 million dollar contract in the offseason, with last week's game winning pass to Greg Lewis with 2 seconds left to beat the 49ers.
The question is: How many more of these does Favre have left in him? The season is only in it's infancy and will he even be able to stand up in January.
Tonight's game just means so much. If Green Bay win the decision to let go of Favre two seasons ago will seem justified. If the Vikings win, it will be a true 'in-your-face' to their biggest threat in the NFC North.
Aaron Rodgers, has started well this season and is well on the way to being a premier QB in the NFL. Statistically, he is head and shoulders ahead of Favre, but he hasn't thrown that last second TD yet which Favre has done time and time again. Rodgers needs to gain the experience and clutch that has Favre surpass even Elway and Marino in many people's minds as the greatest of the greats. For Rodgers, only a Frank Lombardi Trophy will do that.
Rodgers is the goods, but Favre has been there and done that. Despite this fascinating and alluring headline to tonight's show piece the game will not be decidsed by the Favre vs Favre 2.0 contest.
GAME KEY
Will the Packers 3-4 defense work against a Vikings offense which seems to focus on a short passing game and a Peterson led ground attack? Phil Loadholt's intial shortcomings in pass protection wont be as evident.
Will Packers OLT Chad Clifton play? The packers front line has been an absolute shambles so far. Rodgers can throw the ball -but he does need something more affective than a dandy lion in front of him. If Clifton doesn't play you can expect Jarred Allen to have a field day on the pass rush.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment