Reply #86: Yes. And watch that last interception--he had no options on that play.

[jobycom]

The Saints had it defensed perfectly. They weren't going to gain any yardage on that. And don't forget he was limping--the reason they called a play where he drops back five yards and rolls out is because they knew he could run, and didn't want him having to dodge defenders.

I know Aikman claims he could have gotten fifteen yards by running it, but he's wrong. Watch the http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010012401/2009/POST20/vikings@saints/watch">replay. He's five yards behind the line of scrimmage, McCray is closing on him from the front and has the angle, and two defenders are on the 30 directly in front of him. They needed to get to the 30. Even without an injured ankle he wasn't going to make even the 35. That would still leave him a 53 yard field goal, and they had already missed a 44 yarder earlier.

Favre took what he thought was their best shot--throwing at an almost open Sidney Rice and hoping things broke the right way. It didn't work, but it was as good a chance as any other.

You can argue that at least they'd have had a chance at a 53 (and probably longer) yarder, but they might not have even taken that chance. At that distance the attempt would be as likely to be blocked (because of the low trajectory) as made. Worst case would be if Favre had tried to run for the goal line, and left ten seconds on the clock. They miss the field goal, and then the Saints get the ball on the 43 with enough time for a quick play to set up a winning field goal. Take it from a Cowboys fan, it's amazing how often that happens.

Yeah, it was an awful throw, and it made him look bad. The thing I love about Favre is that he's never cared how he looks, he just wants to win. He takes chances others wouldn't, and he wins games others wouldn't. But at least people would be nicer to him now if they'd missed the field goal instead of Favre throwing the interception. They'd still be just as broken-hearted. There were a few other options that would have made Favre look better, but none of them would have given them any more chance to win.

And Favre didn't play defense in overtime.

Put any other QB in that place, except maybe Vince Young, and the Packers still lose. That's why I don't blame him. That, and I was cheering for the Saints, anyway. :)

Just my obtuse observations.