Last night twas the first time the Saints and Vikings played against each other in a truly meaningful game, but stirring in New Orleans house were two familiar foes back in battle on the biggest stage.
Brett Favre's offense takes on Darren Sharper's defense. Where have I heard that before?
From 2005-2007 Sharper's Vikings defended against Favre's Packers twice a year in their NFC North rivalry.
These match ups had even bigger implications in a pride battle between two of the best ever at their respective positions considering both Favre and Sharper were team mates at Green Bay from 1997-2007.
Sharper was a rookie on the 1997 Packers squad that made it to Super Bowl XXXII but lost to Elway's Broncos. Sharper came just one year late to receive his ring. Green Bay won Super Bowl XXXI against the Patriots just one year prior to Sharper's rookie season.
Green Bay never made it back to the Super Bowl by the time Sharper was released from the Packers in 2004. He quickly got picked up in the worst city Green Bay wanted to see him play, Minnesota.
Sharper won these first two battles, but Favre and the Packers swept the '06 and '07 series. On December 21, 2006 Sharper picked off the old man, the only time he's accomplished that feat. But, he had to feel his prime slipping and that elusive ring seemed to lose its shine, darkening the long road towards the end of the tunnel that leads back to a Super Bowl appearance.
The Packers got tired of Favre's back and forth retirement plans so Brett went packing to New York in 2008. This proved to be Sharper's last season with Minnesota.
Now, this year Favre is in the worst city Green Bay wanted to see him play, Minnesota. Sharper moved on to the city where Favre won his only Super Bowl, New Orleans.
Green Bay fans must have been sick watching two of the best ever to wear a Packers uniform face off for a Super Bowl berth while not wearing Green and Yellow in last nights NFC Championship game.
Both Favre and Sharper's long journeys back to a Super Bowl collided head on and the way these two played it showed they knew each other's games well.
Favre threw for over 300 yards. Sharper recorded 11 tackles, his most in any game this season.
In the end, Favre's offense scorched Sharper's defense, but like Darren always does, he found a way for his team to create turnovers to come up with a victory.
Finally, Sharper got that win again in the head-to-head battle against Favre. Even though he's 3-4, losing more than he's won against Favre, I'm sure he's happy with where this last win is taking him.
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