Big Weekend for Wisconsin Sports

Both the Wisconsin Badgers and the Green Bay Packers held on in close games to beat rival opponents this weekend. The 13th ranked Badgers came out of Iowa with a win over the 15th ranked Hawkeyes on Saturday, and Sunday night the Packers beat the Vikings in what was likely Brett Favre's last trip to Lambeau Field.

#13 Wisconsin - 31, #15 Iowa - 30

The Badgers overcame injuries to three huge offensive weapons - Lance Kendricks, James White, and Nick Toon - and still managed to beat Iowa 31-30. This was the first time since 2004 that the Badgers won consecutive games against ranked opponents. Wisconsin ended a two-game losing streak against Iowa as they regained the Heartland Trophy, and evened up the all-time series at 42-42-2.

The loss of James White put John Clay solely in charge of the rushing game. He ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns against one of the best run defenses in the conference. Montee Ball added three carries for 18 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. Ball was also a huge factor in the passing game, catching five passes for 41 yards. Ball proved he still is a valuable asset to this offense, even though his playing time has dropped since James White's emergence.

Scott Tolzein was extremely efficient once again this week, despite throwing an interception. Tolzein finished 20 of 26 for 205 yards and threw a touchdown pass to fullback Bradie Ewing.

The real story this game was coaching. It was obvious Brett Bielema wanted to come away from his alma mater with a win. Bielema's playcalling was phenomenal, and his gutsy calls paid off. Bielema called a fake punt in the middle of the fourth quarter. Punter Brad Nortman ran for 17 yards, and kept the drive alive. The Badgers went on to complete a 15 play, 80 yard drive, with an eight yard touchdown run from Ball, and took a one point lead with a minute left in the game.

Poor clock management by Iowa and a huge sack from JJ Watt kept Iowa out of field goal range. Watt also blocked an extra point attempt early in the game, a play that at the time seemed irrelevant, but turned out to be extremely important.

Bielema was extremely pleased with the way his team has played the past 2 weeks:

“Two pretty good weeks,” Bielema said. “I tell you what, it makes this (bye) week even that much more special.”

The Badgers' record improves to 7-1, 3-1 in the Big Ten, while Iowa drops to 5-2, also 3-1 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin moved to #10 in the BCS standings. The Badgers sit next weekend out, but return to action in 2 weeks at Purdue.

Green Bay - 28, Minnesota - 24

The Green Bay Packers righted the sinking ship on Sunday night by beating the Vikings, ending a 2 game losing streak and putting themselves back on top of the NFC North. The Packers, now 4-2, are tied for first with the Bears, who hold the tiebreaker with their head-to-head victory.

Both the Packers and Vikings came out firing. The first half was filled with offense, as the teams entered halftime with the Vikings leading 17-14. The Pack struck first in the second half with a touchdown pass to Greg Jennings. Then the defense took over.

The Packers were able to pressure Brett Favre into 2 terrible interceptions, both caused by linebacker blitzes.  A.J. Hawk picked Favre for a 21 yard return, and Desmond Bishop returned a Favre interception 32 yards for a touchdown. Nick Collins picked off Favre on the ensuing drive on an excellent defensive play.

Favre managed to bring the Vikings downfield and score a touchdown on the following drive, making the game 28-24. The Packers' defense stiffened on the final drive, not allowing Favre another 4th quarter comeback.

Rodgers was a little off for much of the game, missing receivers and throwing 2 bad interceptions. However, he was 21 of 34 for 295 yards with touchdown passes to Jennings and Andrew Quarless. The rushing game combined to gain 84 yards, with Brandon Jackson rushing for 58 yards and a touchdown.

The Packer defense only managed to sack Brett Favre once, but was able to pressure him in the second half, forcing bad throws.

Vikings' coach Brad Childress criticized Favre's ball control after the game:

"You can't throw it to them, you've got to play within the confines of our system," Childress said of Favre. "Sometimes it's OK to punt the football. You can't give seven points going the other way, not in a game like this."

Aaron Rodgers acknowledged the significance of this victory:

"Our biggest rival and the close score, the way it ended, it was definitely a special night for us," Rodgers said.

The Packers go on the road next weekend to face the New York Jets.

NFL Eve: On the Brink of the 2010 Season

It's that time again...when web gems and bicycle kicks are replaced with one-handed catches and punt-return touchdowns. "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" turns into "Bang the Drum All Day" and foam fingers are switched out for cheese heads. Yes it's football season, the best four and a half months of the year.

The 2010 NFL season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. Off-season trades, high-profile benchings, quarterback suspensions, aged veterans returning (again), new stadiums, new coaches, new throwback uniforms, rule changes, international stages, and the potential for a 2011 lockout all combine to make this season one for the ages.

The 2010 season kicks off tomorrow night when the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints take on the Minnesota Vikings, a rematch of the 2009 NFC Championship Game. Brett Favre returns to the Vikings for what is likely to be his last opening day start to take on Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees and the high powered Saints offense.

The Green Bay Packers open their 2010 campaign in Philly on Sunday. Aaron Rodgers and the explosive Packer offense will look to outscore the Kevin Kolb quarterbacked Eagles. The Dom Capers-coached defense has a full year of the 3-4 scheme under their belts and looks to improve upon the disappointing performance in last season's playoff loss. They will have to contain the likes of DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek in order to pull out a win.

ESPN and Sports Illustrated recently released week 1 power rankings, here is the top ten:

Several rule changes are in affect this season. A new overtime system is in place. The "Hines Ward Rule" has been altered to protect all defenseless players. The umpire will now line up in the offensive backfield opposite the quarterback's throwing arm (except in the final two minutes of each half) in order to reduce the number of times that the official has been run over in the past. Replay can now be used to determine if a ball was interfered with. Plays will also be whistled dead when the ball-carrier's helmet comes off during the play.

The 2010 season is uncapped, as NFL owners voted to opt out of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in 2008. If no new CBA is arranged, a work stoppage will exist for the 2011 season. The threat of a lockout makes this season one to watch even more closely; it may be the last pro football we watch until 2012. 

Favre Intends to Play, If Healthy

On Wednesday morning Brett Favre told ESPN's Ed Werder that he intends to play in the upcoming season if his ankle recovers from surgery. He denied reports that he sent text messages to his teammates involving his intended retirement.

the saga continues...

Third Time's a Charm?

On Tuesday morning Brett Favre reportedly informed the Vikings' organization that he will retire. Brad Childress, head coach of the Vikings, has stated he has not heard from Favre directly about the situation. League sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Shefter that Favre sent the text message "This is it" to several teammates.

If Favre truly is retiring (he has already retired twice, once in March of 2008 and another time in July of 2009) he will leave as the NFL all-time leader in touchdown passes, passing yards, pass completions, pass attempts, consecutive starts, victories as a starting quarterback, and interceptions. He remains the only player to be named league MVP three consecutive times. (Favre is also the only known grandpa playing in the NFL today)

While I personally would love to see Favre return (so Clay Matthews can say hi to his facemask) it is undeniable that Favre's retirement lays a path for the Packers to walk away with the NFC North title.

Last season the Vikings torched Green Bay through the air. Now, with Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, or Joe Webb (who?) at the helm, the probability the Packers will surrender to the passing game is low. This leaves the weight on the shoulders of Adrian Peterson, who rushed for a total of 152 yards against the Packers last season, not exactly a high total for one of the league's best running backs.

While revenge would be sweet for the Pack, I'll gladly take a playoff run in exchange.

Favre Expected to Return in 2010

It appears Brett Favre will return to quarterback the Vikings again this season.

Favre underwent ankle surgery on Friday, a surgery he was informed he must have in order to play football again.

His injury did not need to be treated otherwise, so it stands to reason that Favre intends to suit up for his 20th season

Favre Requires Surgery to Play in 2010

Recently Brett Favre has learned that he must undergo ankle surgery if he wants to continue playing in the NFL.

The ankle injury he suffered three months ago in the NFC Championship Game against the New Orleans Saints has continued to swell and cause pain.

"To play again, I would need the surgery, as I suspected. This decision would be easy if not for my teammates and the fans and the entire Vikings staff. One year truly felt like 10 -- much like Green Bay for many years. That's what I was missing in my heart I suppose, a sense of belonging.''

Childress Has Different Favre Strategy

Minnesota Vikings' coach Brad Childress has decided to go a different route than the Green Bay Packers in dealing with Brett Favre's indecisiveness. Instead of rushing Favre into a decision, Childress has told Favre he can take as long as he wants to decide on whether he is going to come back.

Childress believes that rushing Favre into a decision may led him into retirement, after hearing his reasoning for coming back after retiring from the Packers the first time. Childress believes that with Favre they are a Super Bowl caliber team and without him they probably miss the playoffs. Instead of focusing on an eventual future plan for life after Favre, it seems the Vikings have put all their eggs in Favre's return basket.

It will be interesting to see if the Vikings use their draft picks to pick a quarterback for the future in this April's draft. If Vikings wait until August and Favre comes back they could be a Super Bowl favorite. But if Favre does decide to retire in August, the Vikings will be desperately searching for the last piece they need for their strong team to make it to the Super Bowl.

Once again, another off-season that will be filled with Favre news...