But that will be no easy task for the already legendary quarterback, as the Saints’ boast perhaps the best quarterback in the NFL today. Drew Brees led New Orleans to a 31-17 upset of Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl. Brees threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns on his way to MVP honors.

Favre may now be a grandpa, but he is coming off perhaps his best season, throwing 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

In last season’s NFC title game, Favre helped the Vikings outgain New Orleans by 218 yards, but he also threw two interceptions. The last one, in the final minute of regulation, proved to be costly.

Star running back Adrian Peterson rushed for three touchdowns in that game, but he also fumbled twice. While the Vikings were able to recover both of those fumbles. They did lose three others.

One thing is clear, Minnesota can’t afford to turn the football over this time around.

Heading into Thursday’s contest, the Vikings will be without top wideout Sidney Rice, who is recovering from hip surgery. Fortunately, second-year sensation Percy Harvin has been cleared to play despite more migraine issues.

The loss of Rice could force Minnesota to rely even more on Peterson this year. The big running back led the NFL with 18 touchdowns and finished third in yards from scrimmage. However, Peterson must cure his fumble-itis, especially now that reliable backup Chester Taylor is a Chicago Bear.

In last season’s NFC Championship game, the New Orleans Saints made a point to hit Favre as often as possible. Those hits led to an ankle injury that required offseason surgery. Those hits were also called into question by head coach Brad Childress, who hinted at many of them being late and dirty.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton disagrees, saying his defense plays with a confidence and a swagger that is within the rules.

The fact that New Orleans was able to create so many turnovers in last season’s matchup shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The Saints boasted a big play defense all season long, finishing No. 2 in the NFL with 39 takeaways.

That big play defense has been dealt a major blow, however. All-Pro safety Darren Sharper will miss at least six games following microfracture knee surgery. Sharper, who was among the finalists for NFL defensive player of the year, tied for the most interceptions in the league with nine. He brought three of those back for touchdowns.

Second-year pro Malcolm Jenkins is expected to replace Sharper in the opener.

Leading tackler Jonathan Vilma is also banged up. He sustained a groin injury during the preseason and has been limited in practice. But I do expect to see him on the field Thursday.

While New Orleans boasts one of the best big play defensive units in the NFL, it is its top-ranked offense that gets all the headlines. Led by Brees, the Saints led the NFL in yards and touchdowns a season ago.

It is worth noting that each of the last 10 Super Bowl champs have opened up the following season with a win.

Make sure you check out Jimmy Boyd’s premium NFL picks to see which side he’s on Thursday.

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