Going into week 15 of the 2009 NFL season, the NFC playoff picture is pretty clear. Four teams have already clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs; they are the Saints (13-1), Vikings (11-3), Cardinals (9-5) and Eagles (10-4). Three other teams are in the hunt for the final two NFC playoff spots, they include the Cowboys (9-5), Packers (9-5) and the Giants (8-6).

Here is the NFC playoff picture going into week 15 of the NFL season:

New Orleans Saints (13-1)

• Clinched the the NFC South and a first-round bye
• Clinches homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:
  A win or tie OR
  Minnesota loss or tie

Minnesota Vikings (11-3)

• Clinched NFC North
• Clinches first-round bye with:
  A win and Philadelphia loss or tie OR
  A tie and Philadelphia loss

Arizona (9-5)

• Clinched NFC West

Philadelphia (10-4)

• Clinched a playoff spot
• Clinches NFC East with:
  A win and Dallas loss or tie OR
  A tie and Dallas loss

Green Bay Packers (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  A win and Giants loss or tie OR
  A win and Dallas loss OR
  A tie and Giants loss

Dallas Cowboys (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  win and Giants loss or tie OR
  tie and Giants loss

The New York Giants are still in the NFC playoff picture but it will take a loss by both the Packers AND Cowboys over the next three weeks in order for them to have a chance.

sources: NY Daily News, nfl.com, espn.com

Brett Favre will always be known as one of the most resilient quarterbacks in NFL history. He is the “iron man” of professional football. He played QB in 273 consecutive NFL football games (not including post-season games) from 1991 to 2008.

Brett Favre played college football at Southern Mississippi. He was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round, and 33rd pick, of the 1991 NFL Football Draft.  He played for the Green Bay Packers from 1992 to 2007 and then played for the New York Jets in 2008.

But throughout his career Favre was known for a less impressive statistic - throwing too many interceptions.  In fact, he has thrown more interceptions than any other QB in history. While throwing 464 regular season TDs, he also has thrown 310 Interceptions in the regular season. And in his final three games of the 2008 season as a New York Jet, he threw 2 TD passes and 9 interceptions.

NFL football sportscasters should coin the phrase “throwing up a Favre” anytime a QB throws up a pass for anyone to grab.  “The Favre” can be defined as throwing a desperation pass, anytime during a game, where the defense has a better chance to catch it then his receivers.  The interesting thing about “the Favre” it is not only thrown in the waning minutes of a football game.  Time after time, Brett Favre has thrown his lollipop pass in every imaginable situation - in the first quarter, when the team is winning and when the down.

So the next time you see a Pee Wee Football, High School, College and NFL quarterback” throw one up for grabs”, yell out - “Oh no, not a Favre”.  Get ready! You might even have a chance to catch it in the stands!