I was a little disappointed the Vikings lost on Sunday. For some reason I liked the idea of Brett Favre winning the Super Bowl and then riding off into the sunset. I mean, if that could actually happen with Brett Favre. Instead I suppose I’ll have another year of watching the big game without any real rooting interest.

I have a lot of disdain for Drew Brees. I don’t know why, but I do. However, I don’t really like the Colts much either as they are constantly beating my Texans so, like I said, I don’t really care who wins. What the Vikngs loss does mean is now we can start the Favre retirement watch! If you are a regular reader of the column you know how I feel about this. My hope is the old gunslinger just says what he’s going to do and then sticks with that decision. I see no reason he has to retire. He had, perhaps, the best season of his career this year and unless father time decides to bash him over the head, it seems hard for me to believe he can’t be similarly productive next season as well.

One thing that will be interesting leading up to the Super Bowl will be where Archie Manning’s support lies. I realize he is Peyton’s dad, but you can’t tell me there is not a part of him that wants the Saints to win. He was the face of that franchise for his career and then some. He is easily their most recognizable player and he was the guy who suffered through all those years when the fans wore paper sacks over their head and referred to the team as the ‘Ain’ts. In other words, you know Archie wants to see his beloved team hoist that most sought after of all trophies at some point. But does he want them to do it at the expense of one of his kids? I’m guessing he’ll say no, but deep down he might not mean it (at least not completely). I guess he can look at it as a no-lose situation if he sees fit.

There is one story line heading into the big game that I do like and that’s the fact that the two best teams from the conferences will be facing off for the title. Don’t forget, it wasn’t that long ago that both the Colts and Saints were chasing a perfect season. New Orleans struggled a bit down the home stretch while it seemed to me the Colts gave away their perfect season (and the Texans’ playoff chances) but by the time the season ended they had the two best records in the NFL and it seems fitting to me they will meet to decide the champion. That said, how cool would it be if they have both gotten to the big game without a loss? Had that happened, I think we’d be getting ready for the greatest Super Bowl ever. I suppose we’ll have to wait a little while longer on that one.

Perhaps I’m getting a little ahead of myself. The big game is still over a week away. This weekend we get that annual snooze-fest the Pro Bowl. I don’t care if they’re no longer playing in Hawaii, this game is now and always will be boring. You just can’t have an enjoyable football game where the defense is holding back. It takes too much away from the game. So watch it you want, I think I will pass and rest up for the following Sunday when we can bid a proper farewell to what has been a great year of football all the while paying close attention to old Archie to see if maybe just once he slips up and lets out a cheer for his old franchise.