Lauren RabainoWell, I must start this column by uttering words that I never thought would leave my mouth, let alone be written in this newspaper. I must swallow what’s left of my pride and face the music.
I must apologize to San Diego Chargers fans. I really blew that one – that’s the bottom line. I didn’t give them a snowball’s chance in hell, and they pulled it off.
Shows what I know. I hate to think that Philip Rivers actually made it this far, but it’s true, it really happened. I still can’t believe it, but I must accept it and give this team its due.
Now, before I get to my main topic, the quarterback for Green Bay, I must make one more prediction regarding the Chargers.
I have to give this team a little credit for beating the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts, especially with L.T. being hurt.
This game against the Patriots sets up perfectly for the Chargers because they have nothing to lose; it’s a David-vs.-Goliath type of game. New England knocked this team out of the playoffs last season, embarrassed them in week two (38-14), with the score not even doing the Patriots justice on just how lopsided the game actually was.
With everything going against the Chargers, I am going to give them a swinger’s chance, but their downfall will be the two-headed monster known as the quarterback/coach.
While I think the game is going to be a lot closer than people think, I just can’t bet against Brady and Belichick. Not now, not with this much riding on the game.
They’re both just too good.
Sorry, San Diego, you had a good run, but it’ll come to an end this weekend.
Prediction: New England 31, San Diego 27
Now let’s discuss the NFC.
While there will be two teams playing in this game, there is only one story: Brett Favre!
Unless you live in New York, not one person cares about the Giants. The nation has spoken, and they have jumped on the Packers bandwagon.
With No. 4 behind center, how could you not?
For the past several years, every overweight, unathletic, never-played-a-down-of-football media member has been calling for Favre to call it a career.
They said he was over the hill, a has-been who just couldn’t cut it anymore.
The only problem was Favre never bought into what everyone else believed. He just continued to play, and America just continued to love him.
If the Dallas Cowboys are America’s team, then Brett Favre is America’s quarterback.
At the ripe age of 38, Favre will lead the Packers into the NFC Championship this Sunday against the Giants, with hopes of continuing his fairytale season.
Having won 19 of their past 21 games, this team has as much momentum as any still playing.
I was lucky enough to witness Favre play in person this season, and unless you have seen it too, it’s nearly impossible to describe in words what the experience is like.
I’m not trying to offend anyone, but Favre may be the closest thing to Jesus this earth has seen in many years.
The cult following that surrounds him and his team is something that’s not prevalent in our society – it’s something that is of the divine.
As I watched Favre play at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, you would have thought it was a Packers home game. There was something in the air and an eruption when the man entered the field from the tunnel, and that was only in warm-ups.
It wasn’t until I focused in and really watched him play that I understood the love people have for this 38-year-old who plays more like a boy in the backyard.
In a time when professional sports are filled with greedy, spoiled crybabies, Favre reminds us why we are so drawn to the great game of football. He just has it all – that’s all I can say.
So while you watch Favre on Sunday, feel blessed that you were alive when he played. Feel lucky you were able to watch this man compete on Sundays, because it’s truly something of biblical proportions.
You may think I’m crazy, but once the game ends you’ll realize where I’m coming from.
The Packers are a team of destiny.
Prediction: Green Bay 35, New York 17
John Middlekauff is an agribusiness senior and a Mustang Daily sports columnist.