Vikings vs. Patriots

[Big Tom]

I wish someone would make up their mind. I have NE defense on my fantasy FB team and if T-Jack goes in I'll be wishing I had started them. Even with a wounded Favre it may be worth a shot.

Regardless of who starts, NE defense seems like a no-brainer - see last week. What is your other choice(s)

[fishersofmen]

ESPN talked with Cal Ripken on who's iron man streak is more impressive. No comparison in my mind. Yea baseball is a much longer season but Ripken wasn't getting knocked on his tail by 275lb guys either. Comparing a record like that in a high contact sport to a no contact sport is kind of rediculas imo. I'm guessing Ripken would have sat out with a broken ankle etc...........

You might have noticed this week's Double Coverage with ESPN.com senior national columnist Gene Wojciechowski and I. As Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre faces the possible end of his 291-game consecutive starts streak, we tried to put it in context. Is it more or less impressive than Cal Ripken's streak of 2,632 consecutive games?

These days, Ripken is busy running Ripken Baseball Inc. and serving as a television analyst. But with The Streak suddenly back int he news, he sent along a few thoughts via e-mail. (Hat tip to John Maroon of Maroon PR for the help.)

(On how closely Ripken has followed Favre's streak.)

Cal Ripken: "I am a football fan and although my team is the Ravens I have followed Brett’s career and I am aware that the streak is at 291 games which is remarkable and, I believe, speaks to his passion for the game."

(On how the the weekly physical toll of the NFL compares to the daily grind of MLB.)

CR: "It is hard to compare the two because the sports and seasons are so different. Brett’s streak is remarkable and I can’t fathom playing that many NFL games consecutively. He is a tough guy. Rarely in baseball do you take the big hits but it is a long season with few days off."

(On what it takes to put together such an impressive streak.)

CR: "My dad always taught me that as a ballplayer you have a responsibility to come to the ballpark everyday prepared to play and if the manager decides you can help him win that day you will be in the lineup. I always viewed it as a pure and simple approach. I also loved to play the game and hated to be on the bench…I don’t know Brett but you can tell he loves to play football."

(On if he has an opinion about whose durability record was more difficult to achieve.)

CR: "To me personally his streak is amazing and I couldn’t imagine doing it. They are very different in so many ways but I will tip my cap to Brett for his durability, perseverance and toughness."

[LMITOUT]

Regardless of who starts, NE defense seems like a no-brainer - see last week. What is your other choice(s)

Seattle @Oak

[Jim Almquist]

On KFAN they just reported that secret squirrel would not even tell the team who was the starter

What a piece of work we have for a coach.

[flipper]

Stay tuned for the next episode of "As the Stomach Turns".

[BlueLundFishrman]

Did Harvin just injure his Achilles?

[DTro]

Why does the NFL even have instant replay? The ball clearly did not cross the plane on that AP carry.

Perhaps a gift from the officials for screwing up last week?

What a joke of a system that is.

[flipper]

Why does the NFL even have instant replay? The ball clearly did not cross the plane on that AP carry.

Perhaps a gift from the officials for screwing up last week?

What a joke of a system that is.

Yah, I hear ya! Vikes get a break for sure der.

[BlueLundFishrman]

not enough to "overturn the ruling on the field" i guess. didnt look like he was in. call it a halloween present for the purple peter eaters.

[LMITOUT]

Did Harvin just injure his Achilles?

He's been the Vikings' Achilles heel since he was drafted.

[BlueLundFishrman]

Madieu misses the int, into the hands of the Patriots receiver...what the heck Childress, why don't you challenge the call

[finnbay]

I don't ever comment on football, but why Chilly didn't challenge on the last play in the first quarter, making us run another play where we got a make-up call from last week, and then challenge this last catch, is JUST NOT defendable. Sorry. My one and only rant for the year.

[greebs]

looks like at least up to now, coaching has designed a good game plan. looks like it was designed as if tjack would be qb today and they've kept that same plan in place for favre. lots of A P and a few safe passes mixed in. not a bad strategy regardless of who's under center this year.

[james_walleye]

Is there a reason why we run over the right side of the line on 4th and goal? What a joke. Same joke we saw on 4th and goal against the dolphins.

[zepman]

Is there a reason why we run over the right side of the line on 4th and goal? What a joke. Same joke we saw on 4th and goal against the dolphins.

Exactly what I thought...AP must favor his right side or right arm to carry the ball in.

[BlueLundFishrman]

like chilly is gonna out coach belichek.

[gr8icefishinmind]

t-jack to the rescue!!!!

[LMITOUT]

Tarvaris to Tahi.

That's what it's come to for the Vikings.

[BlueLundFishrman]

....and there's the nail in the coffin.

[BlueLundFishrman]

...turn out the lights, the party's over...

[zepman]

like chilly is gonna out coach belichek.

Vikings did have a better gameplan than the Pats.

Our defense...tackling to be more specific...really blew it in this game.

I think Favre has taken his last NFL snap...really looked like he broke his jaw.

[fishersofmen]

Favre will play next week after some stitches. Can't blame this one on him.....he played well. Zero protection from the o-line once again while Brady could have had a cup of coffee back there. Defense looked absolutely terrible.

[WyoChris]

Looked like a fractured jaw to me........ he looked like he was in a lot of pain, a lot more than a simple cut on the chin. We'll see what they say after the game...

[LMITOUT]

He mumbled something during the press conference, so it looks like just a cut on the chin. Probably a concussion as well.

[greebs]

too bad moss didn't catch that pass for a td after the interference flag was thrown. had he kept going he probably could have made a diving catch. I don't remember but does he ever dive for passes or does he only go vertical? seems like all his great catches that he's made in his career were cases here he landed on his feet rather than sprawling out attempting to make a diving catch?

certainly not a case where you say that cost them the game but a quick td there leaves more time on the clock and favre doesn't get knocked out of the game a few plays later. the defense still would have needed to make a stop and seems like the d isn't up to too many big stops late in the game this year playing tougher schedule than last year.