The big question in the NFL is whether Vikings QB Brett Favre will play tonight against the Giants.

In a text message from Vikings coach Leslie Frazier to NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora this afternoon, Frazier expressed hope that Brett Favre would still be able to play.

“No, we have not ruled him out,” said Frazier. “We will make a decision at the stadium.”

This update on the future Hall-Of-Famer’s game-day status contradicts that of others. ESPN’s Ed Werder, reported earlier this morning that several Vikings players and Favre himself don’t expect his 297-game start streak to reach 298. The St. Paul Pioneer Press has also reported that Favre’s sprained S.C. joint in his throwing shoulder remains “severely swollen.”

Minnesota Vikings players also said that Favre’s collarbone is severely swollen and he hasn’t thrown a pass all week.

As it stands now, it looks almost certain that Brett Favre cannot play, but any announcement on his playing status is unlikely until gametime.

We’ll see if the extra day of rest Favre got, due to a blizzard, allows him to start for the Vikings.

Gametime is set for 7:20 pm EST in Detroit’s Ford Field. The Giants are 3 point favorite.

sources: nfl.com, nbcsports.com

The Minnesota Vikings fired their head coach, Brad Childress.  With the team’s performance and win-loss record this 2010 NFL season, you can’t say you didn’t see it coming.

Team owner Zygi Wilf announced the news after he and team president Mark Wilf met with Childress early Monday.

“It’s often difficult to articulate one reason why change is needed,” Wilf said.

The Wilf brothers have named Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Frazier immediately squashed any question about the quarterback situation.  He immediately named Brett Favre the starting quarterback this weekend.

“There’s no hesitation from me in that regard,” Frazier said.

During a team news conference, Frazier spelled out what he expected of Favre and the rest of the Minnesota Vikings players - fewer turnovers from Favre and a 100% effort from the rest of the Purple People Eaters.

“The challenge our players have is to understand that other people around the league are taking a look at that tape, and you owe it to your teammates and your family to go out there and play hard every single snap,” Frazier said.

What can you say about the accomplishments of Childress in his 5 seasons in Minnesota?  Better than most NFL coaches. The Vikings won back-to-back NFC North titles (2008 and ‘09) with a record of 39-35.  However, the Vikes record of 1-2 in the playoffs was disappointing. Childress summed up his thoughts about his time there:

“I am proud of our accomplishments and believe the foundation of this football team is stronger today than when I became head coach,” Childress said in a statement released by the team.

At the beginning of the 2010 NFL Football season, Childress, the Vikings and the Minnesota fans had big expectations.  Brett Favre was coming off one of his finest seasons and the Vikings finished with an impressive 12-4 regular season record.

But expectations were quickly met with 3 losses in the first four games, led by the inconsistency and poor play by Favre.

Then there was the Randy Moss fiasco. The Vikings gave up a 3rd round draft pick to the New England Patriots for the future hall-of-fame wide receiver Randy Moss.  But within weeks, Childress released Moss without consulting the Vikings owner or front office.

It came after a loss at New England, the newly acquired Moss praised his former teammates and was critical of Childress, who had given up a third-round pick to acquire him four weeks earier.

Childress told his team the next day he had released  Moss, though the coach failed to offer complete details about what had transpired. Wilf was said to be upset because his coach failed to discuss his actions beforehand. There also were anonymous reports of increasing unrest among Vikings players.

It was at this time that many NFL experts and analysts expected that Brad Childress’ days were numbered, especially as the team fell further and further out of NFL playoff contention.

And then it happened! The Vikings fired Brad Childress one day after the Vikings were embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers 31-3, their second loss in a row.

And the players, for all their frustration with Childress and his style, put the blame on themselves after getting beat up by the Packers.

”We’re grown men. He’s not out there playing with us,” tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said when asked on Sunday about Childress’s status. ”You’ve got to look in the mirror sometimes. We’re 3-7. You go 3-7, you always want to blame somebody else. Sometimes you can’t blame somebody else. Sometimes you have to focus on yourself and what you’re doing wrong.”

There were other mitigating circumstances that led to the firing, including Childress’ increasingly combative relationship with quarterback Brett Favre and Vikings fans finally got involved with thousands of “Fire Chilly” signs being handed out before their hosted Nov 7 game against Arizona.

What’s next for Brad Childress? Probably nothing short term - the same fate that awaits the awaits the Minnesota Vikings in February.

sources: foxsports.com, associated press

Thenflthisweek.com has ranked the top 10 NFL teams going into the NFL Playoffs and Wild Card Weekend. Factors that were used in determining the top 10 include: regular season record, momentum, critical injuries, offensive and defensive stats, coaching and intangibles.

1. Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
Although the Colts lost the last two games after winning 14 in a row, they are poised to go far in the 2010 NFL playoffs. Superstar QB Peyton Manning has already won a Superbowl and is always Mr. Clutch. They have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs and will benefit from the bye-week. And don’t be misled by the fact they are ranked last in the entire NFL in rushing (#18 defense overall)- it’s their passing game that ranks them #1 in our rankings and passing ability has been the key for the top ranked NFL teams.

2. San Diego Chargers (13-3)
The Chargers high powered passing game is the reason for them being ranked in the number 2 spot. QB Phillip Rivers has thrown for 28 TDs and 104.4 QB rating. Just above the Colts, they have the second worst ranking in the rushing category (#16 overall defense. They have the #10 ranked offense.

3. Dallas Cowboys (11-5)
The Cowboys have been impressive over the second half of the season and even owner Jerry Jones hasn’t been able to find anything to be mad at. QB Tony Romo has been extremely effective and the Cowboys are clicking on all cylinders. The Cowboys are ranked #2 in Total Offense in the entire NFL. The Cowboys defense is ranked #9 in the entire NFL. But what puts the Cowboys at #3 is they have their confidence back.

4. New Orleans Saints (13-3)
The Saints are #1 in the NFL in total offense and QB Drew Brees has thrown for 34 TDs and only 11 Interceptions - his QB rating is 109.6. They have three effective rushers in Mike Bell (654 yds 5 TDs), Pierre Thomas (793 yds, 6 TDs) and Reggie Bush (390 yds, 5 TDs). However, the Saints offense is tempered by their defensive ranking of 25th in the NFL. The Saints have slid to #4 in our NFL ranking because they have lost their last three games.

5. New England Patriots (10-6)
What can say about the Patriots. They have arguably, the best coach in the game; combine that with the history of future hall-of-famer Tom Brady and you have a team that ranks at the top in the NFL. The Pats are ranked #3 in total offense and #11 in total defense. In ranking the Pats, the uncertainty of the health of formidable receiver Wes Welker puts them in the #5 spot.

6. New York Jets (9-7)
Surprised? Shouldn’t be! Although the Colts and Bengal fans may feel that the Jets won those games because their opponents had nothing to play for. Regardless, the Jets are hitting their stride and are managing the play of rookie QB - Mark Sanchez just enough to avoid his rookie mistakes. The Jets are ranked #1 in Rushing and #1 in total defense in the entire NFL. The Jets do belong!

7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
You don’t hear much about the abilities of the Green Bay Packers but they are for real. They have the #6 ranked offense and #2 ranked defense - very impressive stats. QB Aaron Rogers hsa thrown for 30 TDs and only 7 Interceptions with a 103.2 QB ranking. Their rushing attack is led by Ryan Grant (1253 yds, 11 TDs). Donald Driver (70 recs, 1061 yds, 7 TDs) and Greg Jennings (68 recs, 1113 yds, 4 TDs) are the 1-2 punch of the Packers passing game.

8. Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
The Vikings are led by 20-year NFL veteran Brett Favre. They are ranked #5 in total offense and #6 in total defense - an excellent balance. Early in the season the Vikings defense were just outstanding. However, the season ending injury to E.J Henderson has made the defense more vulnerable. Although the Vikings won their last game against the “lay-down” Giants, in their 3 previous games Brett threw 4 TDs and 3 Interceptions and Adrian Peterson didn’t have a 100 yard game. The Vikings are vulnerable and that’s the reason for their position in thenflthisweek.com ranking. And don’t forget the Brad Childress - Brett Favre episode that happened a few weeks ago. If you think it’s over - think again. There is a power struggle in Minnesota!

9. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
The NFL top ranked teams all have one thing in common - great QBs, and Kurt Warner is no exception. The Cards offense and defensive numbers aren’t that impressive (#14 total offense, #20 total defense), but they have two proven wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald (97 recs, 1092 yds 13 TDs) and Anquan Boldin (84 recs, 1024 yds, 4 TDs).

10. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
The Eagles have had an impressive season and added some creativity to their offense with the addition of Michael Vick. The Eagles, like all NFC East teams pride themselves on great defense. They have the #11 ranked offense and #12 ranked defense, putting them in top third of the league. Although the Eagles won’t beat the Cowboys in the Wild card weekend game, they are our number 10 ranked team.

There is one commonality of the top 10 ranked teams going into the 2010 NFL playoffs. A great QB and a top ranked passing game. And as long the defense is mediocre in passing defense, being the worst against the rush hasn’t mattered.

source: nfl.com