Fantastic Favre Finish

He may be wearing purple and tossing spirals back in the Northwest, but future Hall-Of-Fame quarterback, Brett Favre, still has a flair for the dramatic. Favre can still lead a team down the field with minutes remaining for the game-winning drive. Number four solidified his legacy Sunday in Minneapolis. He won over his new Vikings teammates and fans by rallying past the San Francisco 49ers in the final seconds Sunday afternoon.
The Vikings’ 27-24 victory provided the team their third win of 2009. This one was as good as it gets. Favre zipped a pass to seventh year veteran, Greg Lewis, in the back of the endzone with two seconds left in regulation. The 32 yard reception was perfectly placed and snatched by Lewis, who smartly set his two feet in bounds before dropping to the turf. The sellout Minnesota faithful roared in cheers as the official confirmed the go-ahead touchdown. Favre it 12-2 lifetime against San Francisco and was very much the reason the Niners suffered their first loss of 2009.
In a game of shifting momentum and big plays, the final drive was astounding and awesome. Favre completed six passes on the game-winning drive, including the stunning one that sailed to Lewis. Brett wrapped up a 24 for 47 day for 301 yards in his Vikings’ home debut. Brett’s last 300 yard game was in November of 2007. He did throw one pick-six, but used seven different Vikings to compile the yardage. The last play began with just 12 second and the visiting 2-0 49ers ahead by four points. Favre was tough to defend in his last attempt to win the game, and his grit gleamed on the field as his tight spirals captured a captivated crowd. He took plenty of blows from the San Francisco defense but still had enough to even block a linebacker downfield after he threw a pass to Bernard Berrian. Favre is like a big kid out there. Despite his retirement saga and rock-star attention-drawing demeanor, he still knows how to play the game like it should be played.
There was little trepidation when the Vikings were handed the ball back with 87 ticks on the game clock. The confidence in Favre and the guys up front was enough to motivate Minnesota’s offense. It was almost devious witnessing Favre’s comeback, but he wasn’t scheming all day. Shaun Hill, a former third string quarterback in Minnesota, threw a pair of touchdown passes and gave the Niners the lead midway through the fourth quarter. Vernon Davis was on the receiving end of both of Hill’s hauls. The 49ers performance was even more outstanding considering they were without running back, Frank Gore. Backup, Glen Coffee, filled in with 54 yards on 24 carries, not exactly numbers to give you a java jolt.
When the Niners didn’t have control of the ball, they were pressuring Favre with a penetrating defense. They sacked him twice. Cornerback, Shawntae Spencer, picked him off. But the veteran was pretty much on his game. He completed a first quarter touchdown pass to Sidney Rice to put seven points on the board early. After a seven play drive, Ryan Longwell kicked a field goal to increase the Viking lead to 10-0. The Niners responded with their own seven play drive, resulting in a five yard touchdown pass from Hill to Davis. Longwell secured a 52 yard field goal later in the second but things were mixed up right before the half on the kicking side of the ball. San Francisco’s Nate Clements blocked a field goal try and returned it for a touchdown to supply the go-ahead score 14-13.
Joe Nedney booted a 37 yarder to start the third quarter scoring. Former Florida Gator receiver, Percy Harvin, tacked on a touchdown for the home team as he sprinted down the field for a 101 yard kick return. The Niners found the endzone one last time with a triumphant Davis 20 yard reception in the fourth quarter. Then it was the Vikings and Favre forging their identity and marching to success in less than a minute and a half.
Mike Singletary and the 49ers are a rebuilding team, but deserve plenty of respect. The relentless running game and stubborn defense are going to take San Francisco to new heights this season. Tight end, Davis, had the best game of his career. Hill was nearly impeccable until the final two drives where the Niners went three-and-out. The visiting team simply left far too much time for Favre. There are many positives to take from the game if you’re a San Francisco fan. The magic of Brett Favre should not be the downfall of this young season. Favre’s shake off of defensive end, Justin Smith and roll to the right came before his hurl to Lewis. Not many quarterbacks in this league make that throw as accurately as number four. Favre found his receiver in the right corner of the endzone at an ill-timed moment for the 49ers. Next Sunday, San Francisco hosts the St. Louis Rams. That game should be relatively easy, and at least Favre won’t be there to break their hearts.

Parting points: Yankees won the AL East. Hoorah for New York. And, the Jets and Giants are both 3-0.

View Favre's game-winning drive here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un3B7Og-FS0