VIDEO: Brett Favre picked off by Tracy Porter; Saints win NFC Championship

Garrett Hartley kicks a 40-yard, game-winning FG in overtime of the NFC Championship(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images via ESPN.com)
The New Orleans Saints eked out a 31-28 OT victory over the Minnesota Vikings for the NFC Championship in a thriller tonight. It was a back and forth contest, with both offenses taking shots at one another, until time finally ran out for one of them. But in the end, it came down to turnovers – Minnesota had 5, New Orleans just 1. Time and time again, despite moving the ball almost at will, the Vikings put the ball on the ground and threw away scoring opportunities when it mattered most.
At the end of regulation, with the ball in Saints territory, the Vikings needed only to run the clock out and attempt a last-second (albeit long), game-winning FG. Instead, on 3rd down, Brett Favre was intercepted by Tracy Porter on and ill-advised pass, saving the game for New Orleans.
CONTINUE AFTER THE JUMP FOR VIDEO OF PORTER’S INT
VIDEO: Favre leads Vikings in “Pants on the Ground”
This is how Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings celebrated today’s playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys … unbelievable:
If you don’t watch American Idol, or have no idea what this is about, watch the original version of “Pants on The Ground” by General Larry Platt here. Admittedly, I have been singing this song all week. I’m not a proud man.
Tony Romo Saves Greatest Fail for Last; Favre puts on a Clinic as Vikings defeat Cowboys (video)

When you see the Romo Face, you know the game is over (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images via ESPN.com)
It was only a matter of time, really. All through December, as the Dallas Cowboys finished the regular season uncharacteristically strong with 3 straight wins, culminating with their first playoff win in 13 years last week, you (or, at least I) just couldn’t shake the feeling that it would all come crashing down sooner or later for Jerry Jones’ club. And today in Minneapolis, oh boy did it come down on Wade Phillips and the ‘Boys, who were embarrassed by the Vikings 34-3 in the NFC playoffs.
Dallas QB Tony Romo once again crumbled in the biggest game of his life, with 3 fumbles (2 lost), 1 interception, 0 TDs and less than 200 yards. Much credit goes the Vikings defense who, led by DE Ray Edwards, harassed Romo all day, getting constant pressure and finishing with 6 sacks. But Romo, who apparently dipped his hands in butter before the game and whose turnovers cost his team the game, is clearly the goat for Dallas. You can just see it in Romo’s eyes when he is playing scared. The proven recipe for success against him is constant pressure … once he’s rattled, you see the “Romo Face”, and the game is won. And early on today it was obvious that Romo had lost it.
On the other side of the ball, the old man Brett Favre put on a clinic for the Vikings, throwing for 4 TDs – 3 to Sidney Rice - and no interceptions in leading his club to the win. Favre, at 40 years old, still plays the game like a kid, and his passion elevates the play of everyone around him. And oh yeah, he can still make all the throws and drop the ball on a dime for his receivers to make plays.
For all the flack he received over the whole un-retirement saga (including a healthy dose from this site), Favre has put to rest any remaining doubts as to his ability to still play the game better than almost anyone in the world. After the game, Favre had this to say:
“Today was like this season — it’s been wonderful,” Favre said. Asked if it was an emotional game for him, he said, “I’m kind of worn out right now, but it is. It was emotional before the game.”
After the game, it was all smiles in the Vikings locker room, as Favre led the team on a rendition of pop hit “Pants on the Ground” from American Idol.
CONTINUE AFTER THE JUMP FOR HIGHLIGHTS OF FAVRE SHREDDING THE COWBOYS DEFENSE
Brett Favre for Wrangler Really Tiny Jean shorts
From the guys over at FunnyorDie.com, comes this comedic take on this commercial featuring our all-American hero Brett Favre. It also draws attention to Favre’s affinity for jean shorts, which is something we at RnR HQ have long been aware of.
(WARNING: Contains excessive, but SFW, testicular exposure for comic effect. In fact, you may want to avert your eyes around the :38-:45 mark)
Iraqi military detainees use Favre to taunt cheesehead guards

(Photoshop/hack job by ArtieFufkin)
Psychological warfare has long been an important part of military strategy. From Alexander the Great to Ghengis Khan to Winston Churchill, world leaders have always used propaganda and other psychological tactics to get into the minds of their enemies.
And now, NewsRadio WTMJ reports that Iraqi detainees have been targeting American soldiers with their own brand of psychological warfare. One in which they’re using our own sports heroes against us!:
According to a military official, detainees at a Wisconsin National Guard camp in Iraq are using Brett Favre as a manner of getting at the guard troops there.
“They know Favre by name,” said First Lieutenant Tim Boehnen, who is from New Richmond, Wis.
“One of the big words they know now is shenanigan. They’ll constantly talk about ‘Favre shenanigans,’ ‘He’s so good for the Vikings,’ and ‘The Packers have got to really feel bad about that one.’ “
Apparently the Cheesehead troops were outfitting their camp with Packer green & gold, which gave their prisoners the opening they were looking for. The next plan is to taunt the Oakland National Guard about JaMarcus Russell until they break down in tears. And then everyone will escape. And the very fabric of our society will crumble. Way to go, Al Davis.
SportsCenter: The Chattering Din
I was almost done with SportsCenter after Favre un-retired again, but after Monday, I am done. I will not be watching. They are idiots.
First this:
“Why would Favre come back for 20 million, his legacy, he is waffling, the fans, the Jets, blah, blah, blah.” – WHAT THE F$%K!!! IS this Russia? Jesus f*%k. Who in their right mind doesn’t come back for that money, with that running back, and defense, in a dome when he cant play in the cold anymore… how is there even a tiny hole in the move?
The Vikings could go with Farve, or they could have gone with TJ or SAGE F*%KING Rosenfels who is a homeless man’s 2004 Drew Bledsoe. Jesus Christ. No Brett, stay on your farm, stay in your red shorts, and don’t go to a great situation with more money then any of us will EVER see in our lifetimes. Don’t set up your family, and their families, and their families for life, don’t be a wealthy man, don’t take a chance, don’t gamble, and don’t be a f*cking man – F*CK YOU. If I was an athlete that played at the caliber of some of these aging stars, I would play until I was on the bench in the CFL… why quit what you love to do – fail, who gives a shit – Brett Farve, and his family are set for life. What MAN doesn’t do that for his soul as a competitor and his family? Turn down what was is it, 14 million dollars?
Trent f%#king Dilfer that’s who. What a small-minded f*ck. I just wow… wow wow wow. SportsCenter is like a Ayn Rand villain – Don’t do what you are good at, even if you fail, because it make US feel bad to see you succeed. What are we Poland?
THEN THIS? This!:
“Why would Belichick, go for it on 4th and two? Why, what an awful move!!” WHAT THE F*CK, the defense is winded Peyton Manning is the new Brady with 2 minutes to go, who the fuck doesn’t think that Brady can’t get 2 yards on a 4th down, and the average NFL play is 4 yards… F*CK YOU! Jesus f**king Christ. Honestly the football coverage on that network is f*cking stupid, always conservative, goes for cheap jokes, and says nothing new. Trent Dilfer… TRENT DILFER doesn’t like what Bill f**king Belichick called? Are you kidding me?
Why would anyone tune into hear that? Why? I know I wont. I wont ever again. Not ever f*cking again. That network is dead to me. ReadAndReact is where I go for news.
ReadAndReact Mid-Season NFL Awards
Yep, it’s that time of year again! Time for bloggers and sportswriters across the land to create meaningless mid-season NFL awards lists!
And who are we to buck the system? If nothing else, this exercise allows us to take a step back to examine the first 9 weeks of action, and heap accolades on those whose performances have set them apart from the pack thus far (in either a good or not-so-good way).
So without further adieu, here they are, the inaugural ReadAndReact Mid-Season NFL Awards:
MVP: Brett Favre, MIN - As much as we hate to admit it, the old man has been the difference maker in Minnesota, and is the main reason they’re sitting atop the NFC central. So far. It’s mainly about the attitude he brings, and the belief the rest of his teammates now have in their chances. But so far, Favre has put up excellent numbers (16TDs vs 3 INTs), and shows no signs of slowing down. But then, we were saying the same thing about Favre and the Jets at this point last year. We’ll see how the arm holds up come week 16.
Coach of the Year: Josh McDaniels/Mike Nolan, DEN – in a total shocker to everyone in the league, McDaniels has come into Denver and changed the team culture in record time, leading the team out to a fast 6-0 start. And Nolan’s defense – currently 3rd in the NFL in Total Yds/Gm, and 1st in defensive touchdowns (8 so far) – has been the main reason for their success.
Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, NO – I’m taking Brees over Peyton Manning here, mainly because we’ve come to expect this sort of ruthless efficiency from Peyton, but Brees seems to have entered a new stratosphere in 2009. He’s playing about as well as you can at the position (106 QB Rating), and has the Saints leading the NFL in total offense.
Defensive Player of the Year: Darren Sharper, NO – With a league-leading 7 interceptions (3 of them returned for TDs!), Sharper has changed the attitude of the Saints defense, and helped turn them into a force. Is it scary that a Saint is getting the award for both offense and defense? Yes, and it’s why I like the Saints to go all the way this year.
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Percy Harvin, MIN – One of the most exciting offensive playmakers to come along in a while, Harvin is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. With 5 TDs in 8 games – 3 via reception and 2 via KO return – Harvin has challenged the Vikings coaching staff to develop more ways to get the ball into his hands.
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jairus Byrd, BUF - The first-year DB has been a ball-hawking machine, with multiple interceptions in 3 consecutive games! With 7 interceptions so far, Byrd is tied for the NFL lead, and is on pace for 14 this season, which would tie an NFL record.
Continue reading after the jump for more RnR Mid-Season Awards
NFL WEEK 8 LIVE GAME BLOG: FAVRE VS. THE CITY OF GREEN BAY EDITION!

Aaron planned to whisper: "The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master." Not so fast, Mr. Rodgers. (Source: AP)
When Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings clashed with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football earlier this season, the NFL’s elder statesman met and surpassed all expectations, the Vikings won easily, and the press fell in love with Favre all over again. Nice show, but we always felt that something was sorely missing from that hype-fest: Brett might have been facing his old team–in the harmonious, 75-degree confines of the Superdome–but what about his old fans? Entirely different story. THIS is the game that needed to be on Monday Night Football… but we won’t complain.
A great day of football is ahead.
Got something to say? Bring it.
Hit the “Comments” button and go to town.
(Yes… I fashioned this message in topical purple and green…)
Favre’s game-winning TD to Greg Lewis, Tecmo Bowl style
Now here’s a growing trend that we can all get behind! Geeks across the land – most notably YouTube user MrNFL – have taken to re-creating their favorite NFL plays in the classic NES football game, Tecmo Bowl. (see our earlier post of the Broncos’ miracle victory)
This one of Brett Favre’s last-second GW TD pass against the 49ers from 2 weekends ago is pretty good:
I love the way he edits it with announcers, replays and scoreboard shots.
Well done, sir.
TUESDAYS WITH C-O-U-R-T-N-E-Y! (Brought to you on Thursday.)
Never has there been a bigger disconnect between the national media and fans of the NFL. Brett Favre is a blight on the American landscape, the human incarnation of the potato famine. How come we, Americans, see it so clearly and they, the media, don’t?

Brett Favre
Yesterday, a guy I know e-mailed me out of the blue to say “I hate the fact that Favre is actually doing well.” Indeed, now everyone does.
Favre’s success is demoralizing. Gruden’s waxing Favre’s tip on Monday Night Football demeaning. Far from vindicating him vis-a-vis his former employer, Favre’s victory cast a noxious, toxic plume into the Monday night sky. It lingers into Thursday. For the mouth-breathers in the media, the scent is lost in the afterglow. For the rest of us, Americans, we lie at night wondering when the airborne toxic event that is Favre’s return will pass.
PHOTO: www.howbigismypotato.com











