Favre & Co. Singin' the Minnesota Blues

Favre & Co. Singin' the Minnesota Blues

Wasn't it just earlier in December that Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings were cruising through their schedule at 10-1? Wasn't it just earlier December that Brett Favre was coming off a career day with 392 passing yards and 36-10 over Chicago?

All of the signs were showing that Minnesota would cruise right along into the NFC Playoffs with each facet of their game running like a smooth car. Brett Favre had renewed his career and was playing with all-too-familiar boyish enthusiasm. Adrian Peterson was second in the NFC in rushing yards and rookie Percy Harvin was giving the Vikings explosive plays on offense and special teams. 6'4'' receiver Sidney Rice was having a breakout season, emerging as Favre's favorite target en route to what appeared to be a Pro Bowl year.

And then on Sunday Night Football in Arizona, everything fell apart. Favre threw two picks and Peterson was held to a mere 19 rush yards. The Cardinals outplayed Minnesota in all areas and won, 30-17.

After a home win over Cincinnati, Minnesota simply did not show up in Carolina and the season went completely south. Carolina outscored Minnesota, 20-0 in the final quarter as the Panthers defeated Minnesota, 27-7. But the blowout wasn't the biggest headline, but rather 'FAVRE AND CHILDRESS GET INTO DUST-UP'. Childress pulled Favre during the fourth quarter implosion and the veteran didn't like it. The two got into an argument on the sidelines, and the scuffle continued all week.

Against Chicago, the Vikes trailed 23-6, but Favre managed to lead his team back to a tie with a dramatic late touchdown. But after a Peterson fumble, Jay Cutler hooked up with Devin Aromashodu for a 39-yard touchdown in overtime for a Chicago win.

And don't blame this downward spiral on the series of prime-time games.

The running game has been absent in each of the losses. Brett Favre has turned the ball over and is not performing as well. The defensive unit that once was one of the best has collapsed, giving up an average of 30.7 points in those losses. The Vikings seem to not be able to play on the road. Each loss had come away from home.

That may be one of the most looming problems for Minnesota. They dominate at the MetroDome, but cannot play well away from their secure haven. Outdoors have become a problem. This will become even more of a problem in the Playoffs if Philly beats Dallas on Sunday.

Entering the Monday Night game against the Bears, Minnesota still had home-field advantage throughout the Playoffs hopes. But with the crushing loss, a Philadelphia win will knock Minnesota out of the second seed and strip them of their first-round bye, leaving them with two road games if they want to make the Super Bowl.

While Minnesota implodes in December, the remainder of the league wonders if Favre still has the magic late in the season. Can he pick up his play in January? Will Adrian Peterson get out of his funk? Can the DB's shut down opponent receivers?

The Vikings have a lot of problems to solve, and they better get started soon, because late December into January is not a good time to begin to falter.