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| NFC Championship game Vikings – Saints Preview |
A trip to the Super Bowl in Miami is at stake this week. Drew Brees in New Orleans, and Favre in Minnesota have monopolized all the attention in their respective teams, having MVP-type seasons and leading the Saints and the Vikings to No 1 and No 2 seed in the NFC. Brees helped the Saints score the most points in the NFL, while Favre and the Vikings produced the league’s second-highest point total. Both teams won their divisional game by a 31-point differential. New Orleans crushed Arizona 45-14, and Minnesota routed Dallas 34-3. Brees threw for 3 TDs and 247 yds last Saturday against the Cardinals, erasing the sting of a season-ending three consecutive losses, after starting 13-0. “We all see the team that won 13 games in a row, not the team that struggled against the Cowboys and let one get away from us against Tampa,” said Brees. The Saints (14-3) have never been to the Super Bowl and made their lone NFC championship appearance three years ago in a loss at Chicago. Brees finished the regular season with 34 TDs and 11 interceptions, but all the eyes were on 40-year-old Favre who came out of retirement for the second time to join the Vikings and had the best season of his career with 33 TDs and only 7 INTs. Favre was at his best last Sunday against Dallas, who were most people favorite. He went 15 of 24 for 234 yds, and threw four touchdown passes for the first time in his postseason career to earn his fifth NFC title game appearance. The two quarterbacks will square up Sunday, and that should be a superb duel. Favre doesn’ t hide he’s anxious for his first opportunity to win it all with the Vikings (13-4). “I hope the little experience I have in those games which is more than most will help some,” Favre said. “But that’s not to say I don’t get nervous or get stressed as well.” Brees and Favre have plenty of weapons at their disposal. WRs Marques Colston and Robert Meachem each had nine TD receptions for New Orleans, and Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush all scored at least five rushing TDs. Bush had a major impact last week with a 46-TD run and an 83-yd punt return for a score. Favre may have had his biggest impact on WR Sidney Rice, who finished fourth in the NFL this season with 1,312 yds receiving, and tied an NFL postseason record last week with three touchdown catches. Rice finished with six receptions for 141 yds. “With the addition of No 4 ,it’s been huge for me,” Rice said. “It’s been great for me , and I’m thankful for that.” The Vikings passing game, with TE Visanthe Shiancoe and Offensive Rookie of the year Percy Harvin, has taken pressure off star RB Adrian Peterson, whose 18 rushing TDs led the league. Peterson, though, only gained 63 yds on 26 carries against Dallas, and will have to do better Sunday tin order to spread the New Orleans’ defense. The Saints will try to contain all those offensive stars with a defense that ranked 25th in the NFL. The unit, though, combined for 26 interceptions, nine of those picks by safety Darren Sharper, who tied for the league lead. Minnesota’s league’s best pass rush will try to slow down Brees.The Vikings notched 48 sacks, with an NFC-leading 14 ½ by Pro Bowl DE Jared Allen. That pass rush won’t be as effective, though, if other DE Ray Edwards isn’t available. Edwards hurt his right knee in the third quarter against Dallas, returned for a few plays before leaving for good with the Vikings in command. Edwards had three of Minnesota’s six sacks of Tony Romo last Sunday. This will be Favre’s first road playoff game in six years. The Vikings went 9-0 at home, but were 4-4 on the road. They also will have to deal with a rowdy crowd at the Superdome, when they had the Minnesota’s fans helping against the Cowboys last week. “That’s going to be a factor that we have to handle obviously,” Favre said. “I think it goes without saying how happy I am to have this opportunity.” It’s a tough one to pick, I give an edge to the Saints playing at home. The Vikings will need a repeat performance from last Sunday, especially from their defense, to be able to pull the win in New Orleans. The 40-year-old master Favre, however, has shown he’s still capable of playing at the highest level, and will be as motivated for this game as he’s ever been in his 19-year career. Check out the odds and lines for the NFL conference championship games at BetPhoenix.com Sportsbook, and take advantage of our Special Bonus Promotions. 
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The Minnesota Vikings and the New Orleans Saints meet Sunday in the NFC Championship game at the Superdome, where Brett Favre won his lone Super Bowl title 13 years ago as the Packers’ quarterback.
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