Childress ran for most of the first half (Peterson 18 carries), and the Vikings had 7 points. This prevents you from scoring and lets the other team hang around. At halftime, Aikman talked about them opening up the offense. The Vikings had double the possession time, which is supposed to tire out the defense, but the only defense tired in the second half was the Vikings’, which illustrates my point about the mental fatigue that comes from your offense not scoring.
The few times they did let Favre throw, they scored TDs. They would have had a third TD and won the game if Childress didn’t run Peterson up the middle on fourth and goal from the one when there were 11 guys lined up over center. A sweep or pass would have worked, but he ran into 11 guys. It’s Favre’s fault they don’t score the TD when he drives them to the 1 and Childress calls a play like that?
THIS IS THE BOTTOM LINE: During Favre’s two years with the Vikings, when they have a run-first offense, they lose, and when they have a pass-first offense, they win. Those are the facts.
An unrelated point: It’s terrible to lead with your helmet to intentionally hurt the other team’s key player, risking a penalty and fine, but helping your team win the game and make the playoffs. I’ve been talking about this for decades, and had the debate with a friend about a month ago before the league started cracking down. That leading-with-the-helmet play on Favre can knock a player out, break his jaw, break his ribs, etc. That play cost the Vikings a chance to win the game, and even if Favre comes back, it will be difficult to make the playoffs due to this loss. The Vikings were prevented a fair chance of winning, despite Childress’ idiotic coaching, due to this play. If Favre comes back I still believe they can make the playoffs if Childress opens up the offense, but this loss makes it that much harder.