NFC Championship Game

I wrote a column at the beginning of the National Football League season where I indentified the different types of Green Bay Packer fans after Brett Favre signed a two-year contract with the arch-rival Minnesota Vikings. After last weekend's NFC Championship game, which was won by the New Orleans Saints due to a few too many turnovers by the Vikings and an unnecessary penalty with less than a minute to go in regulation, I have revised my list of how die-hard Packers fans felt after Sunday's loss by their nemesis.

I have done a detailed analysis after speaking with at least 40 football fans over the past three days. I have compiled a new list of the reaction by Green Bay Packer fans after the Vikings gave away their opportunity to participate in the Super Bowl next weekend.

My research indicated that about 75 percent of the die-hard Packer fans did not wish ill will on Brett Favre, but were struggling with the idea that the Minnesota Vikings would have a chance to win a Super Bowl. On the other hand, I talked with one person who told me that a number of Packers fans actually cheered when Brett Favre was hit by the New Orleans defense. Those same "fans" were also enthusiastic when Favre threw a last-minute interception in regulation that negated the Vikings from having an opportunity to win the game. Frankly, those who had negative feelings about Favre are not sports fans at all and should be reminded that the word "fan" is short for "fanatic". I also found that many who were disappointed that Favre played for the Packers biggest rival this past season actually had sympathy for him as he was pummeled during the game against the Saints.

I have often stated that I root for the Green Bay Packers except for when they play the Chicago Bears. However, I must admit that I am a conciliatory fan since I really had no problem with the Minnesota Vikings winning last Sunday's game to play for the championship. Not only do I have a number of good friends who are Vikings' fans, but I also wanted to see Brett Favre have a chance to play in the title game. Plus, if the Vikings were playing in the Super Bowl, retailers, taverns and suppliers of apparel would have the opportunity to generate more revenue and bolster the local economy.

I really wish we could have seen Favre and the Vikings play the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl because I think Minnesota would have a better chance to win the championship than the New Orleans Saints. That is why I predict that Indianapolis will win their second NFL title in the last four years by the score of 38-31.