A Jet By Any Other Name...

BY JESSE LIEBMAN

EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

Quick: name the all-time points leader for the Winnipeg Jets. Bet you think it's Dale Hawerchuk, right? Wrong. The correct answer is Ilya Kovalchuk, with 615 points in 594 games.


That's because for all intents and purposes, the Hawerchuk-led Jets currently play in the desert under the moniker of the Phoenix Coyotes, and have done so since 1996. The franchise formerly known as the Atlanta Thrashers now bears the Jets handle, but the similarities stop there.


When True North Sports and Entertainment unveiled the name to the hockey world at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft this past Friday, they perhaps unknowingly opened up a can of worms. Or maybe it was a can of New Coke. And just like the retooled soft drink that was an unmitigated disaster in the 1980s, it seems primed to leave fans with a bad taste in their mouths even before the Jets take to the MTS Centre ice in the fall.

Welcome to the Other Side

BY IAN TASSO
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP IMAGES

Take yourself back nine years.

The date is February 2, 2002. The place is the Louisiana Superdome.

Outside, it’s quiet. Warm. Damp. Humid.

Inside, it’s equally as quiet. Warmer. Damper. Sweatier. 73,000 fans collectively holding their breath as fabled kicker Adam Vinatieri lines up to cement his name in the NFL history books.

Kurt Warner meanwhile, sat on the bench, bloodied, looking on helplessly. Marshall Faulk sat there too, just as his quarterback, every bone in his body aching. Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, there all the same, mimicking their general -- their quarterback -- who had been knocked around and smacked in the face more than those kids at the end of Step Brothers.

Seconds later, Vinatieri’s arms shot through the air like red and blue fireworks, igniting a Patriot celebration. They had toppled the Goliath. They had beaten the giant.

The Greatest Show on Turf however, was over. They had hit the wall, and were upset by a team that had no business being there, and no business winning. The most powerful team in the NFL -- the Super Bowl favorite -- a team that had all the marbles, all the cards, and all the tricks, had come up short.

It’s a tale as old as time. It’s a tragic storyline. And it’s also the way sports are.

Because nine years later, the Patriots are on that sideline. Wounded. Bullied. Beaten. And Braylon Edwards and the Jets are doing backflips on the field.

I’m not saying it’s a direct parallel, but it’s pretty damn close. One year you’re writing the history and ten years later you’re drowning in it, unable to get out of your own way. Three straight playoff losses will do that to you as a fan, and suddenly, you don’t feel so high and mighty anymore.

Jets Have Tools to Take Down Pats

BY JESSE LIEBMAN

EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS

The legendary Bill Parcells once said, “you are what your record says you are.”

And while on the surface that saying might be brain-numbingly obvious, and as empty as Al Davis' heart, Tuna just may have been on to something. As of their Thanksgiving Day performance, the New York Jets boast a record of 9-2, good for first place in the AFC East.

Following last season’s run to the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts, the Jets have been the media darlings of the National Football League. Rex Ryan is always good for a quote (or two), and the team’s antics constantly have even members of the media in stitches. And then there was their appearance on HBO’s Hard Knocks series -- talk about exposure.

Living in Boston, it’s not rocket science to see that the New England Patriots have entrenched themselves as the toast of the town.

The numbers speak for themselves. Three Super Bowls in a four-year span. Four appearances in the big dance in the past decade. If we flash forward to the present, New England has put up more than respectable numbers this year, carrying an identical win-loss record as New York.

Patriots fans -- and while we’re at it, a lot of the media -- will be inclined to remind outsiders that New England’s record is identical to the Jets; even going so far as to imply that Rex Ryan’s team has gotten by on dumb luck.

Let’s face it: the Jets are not a perfect team; then again, no one else is either.

Has Brett Gone Too Favre?

BY WES GREELEY
EDITORIAL. PHOTOS BY AP NEWS


Brett Favre has been in the news a lot recently. A lot.

But just a few days ago, some new news regarding the “not-so-maybe-kinda-yes-no-retired-or-not” Minnesota Vikings quarterback was brought to the attention of the media.

It has been alleged that the quarterback for the purple and white sent lewd photographs of himself to Jets’ trainers, one of his former teams. The main witness in this case is Jenn Sterger and two Jets’ massage therapists who told Deadspin.com about said texts, and are willing to work with the NFL in getting to the bottom of it. 

The NFL will pursue the investigation if they find enough substance for the case.

Favre is aware of the allegations but has neither confirmed nor denied his actions. He has simply stated that he is “sorry” that he has become a distraction. He has also stated that he is willing to work with commissioner Roger Goodell on the matter. If he is found to have gone against the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy, immediate action will take place, but Favre will have the option to appeal, a process that takes ten days.

The difficulties with this case include Favre’s 289 consecutive game streak – one which would come to an end should he be suspended – as well as Pittsburg Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisburger’s actions which caused him to be suspended 4 games for accusations of “improper behavior” at a bar even though he was found not guilty.

So now the question is “Which stakeholders will be affected most by the decision of whether or not to punish Brett Favre?”

The Big Dance

by Ian Tasso
Editorial. Photos by AP News.



It all started with these guys.

Ever since Stifler rocked out, Finchy went big and Jim hooked up with the band chick, high school has been about one thing and one thing only – the Senior Prom.

It’s the ultimate accumulation of four years of stress, annoyance, and hormones. It’s the night where everyone goes crazy, regardless of who you are or where you got picked in gym class – jocks, goths, computer nerds – hell, even the bandies blow up. How could you not?

And everything else in life has kind of followed suit.

Just like high school, everything ends with a blowout party – end of summer parties, end of year parties, end of semester parties, end of week parties - you name it, when it ends, there's a party for it.

So, why not the NFL?

After all, if people relate March Madness to ‘The Big Dance,’ then wouldn’t the Super Bowl be…the grand daddy of them all? Wouldn’t the Super Bowl be the Senior Prom itself?

Well, here we are. The NFL season has reached its final leg. We’re about to kiss 19 glorious weeks goodbye, and it’s all coming to an end this Sunday. So why not kick this thing out the only way we know how?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the 2010 NFL Playoffs as a Senior Prom – Roger Goodell High’s graduating class of 2009:

AFC-

Indianapolis Colts: Meet that kid - every school has one – who’s good at every single sport ever.

He’s the star quarterback, he’s got flowy blonde hair, his name’s usually either Chad or Tad – you know who I’m talking about. His grades usually hang around the ‘C’ range, but who cares? He got a full boat base-foot-basket-ball-hockey scholarship to University State College somewhere far away and he’s going to blow it up there too – it’s just who he is.

Guys want to be him, and girls want to be with him. Ever since he started dating that senior chick in freshman year, we all knew he was some kind of kick-ass.

And here he is, his senior year, about to close things out. He’s usually the kid who’ll have the best time at the real party, and an even better one at the after party – but unlike the real prom, this one’s going to be a heck of a lot of fun to just sit back and watch.

Inspiration: Peyton Manning

New York Jets: The Colts’ younger brother.

He’s a little twerp who’s about half as tall as everyone else, probably in middle school, but damn he’s got some swag. Not only did he sneak into the prom, but he’s the one going around, rockin’ out and hitting on all the hot older chicks.

He almost got away with it too, until Indy caught him bumping and grinding with his girl. Rule number one of High School: don’t piss off the bigger brother.

It was fun while it lasted though, right?

Inspiration: Mark Sanchez.

New England Patriots: The Van Wilder of Roger Goodell High – but way more annoying.

Don’t get me wrong – the guy was the man in High School – when he was in High School. But that was like three years ago. Dude – let it go.

No, instead, this guy keeps coming back, pounds some (a lot) beers in the parking lot and barges his way onto the dance floor. After making his obnoxious rounds, complete with putting his arm around the bro’s, pointing and winking at all the chicks and shouting “STILL GOT IT,” he eventually stumbles back outside and most likely pukes on his Varsity jacket.

Yeah, those are my Patriots.

But, hey – at least we know how to have a hell of a good time.

Inspiration: Tom Brady.

Baltimore Ravens: He’s badass and he knows it. He’s cool as hell, and he knows it. He spiked the punch, and he doesn’t care.

Let’s face it – the Ravens were predictable this year – but it didn’t necessarily mean you could stop them. Right New England?

You knew they were going to run, and they ran anyway. You knew they weren’t going to pass, and they didn’t do it anyway. You knew he was going to spike the punch, and guess what? He did it anyway.

Who cares if he got thrown out halfway through the prom? Everyone knows those dances are for losers anyway.

Inspiration: Ray Lewis.

San Diego Chargers: Everyone who went to High School knows the Colts have their entourage. And usually, there’s one meathead in the group. He’s about 6’3 and 200 lbs, and dumb as a rock? Yeah, meet the Chargers.

Nobody messes with them – they talk a lot of crap, and pack it up with an Antonio Gates sized punch. But karma’s a bitch.

And just like every NFL season, this prom won’t end well for San Diego. After a few hits of Reverend Lewis’s punch, Big Boy Shawn over here will probably find himself busting a move with Trudy, the tuba playing chick with the coke-glasses (or cola-glasses, if you would.)

But hey - I’m not going to be the one to tell him. Are you? Nah, it’s only fair.

Inspiration: Shawn Merriman

Cincinnati Bengals: They went stag because they thought it was cool.

But it turns out, standing by yourself in the corner is only cool at middle school dances. Things are supposed to change in high school – but it looks like Shayne Graham and Co. never got the memo.

They thought about it for a second, though.

That cute girl from art class walked by a few times, and Carson was all, “you think I should ask her to dance?” Then big man Shayne stepped in and was like, “Nah man, she’ll think you’re way cooler if you just chill here.”

They all agreed, nodded and leaned back up against the wall.

Nice going Shayne. You’re a champ.

Oh and Chad Ochocinco? He’s the guy up on stage break-dancing. He’s not really that good, but he does it anyway for the attention. Yeah, you know who I’m talking about – we all had one. Still, everyone cheers him on because there’s nothing better to do – Stairway to Heaven isn’t on for another few hours.

Inspiration: Shayne Graham

NFC –

New Orleans Saints: He’s the all around kid. He’s smart, funny, nice, and a wicked cutie.
Only problem is, he’s dated that same girl since like middle school – and she was a wicked bitch.

But not anymore.

It took until senior year, but the Saints made the tough decision, read the whole ‘we’re going away to school now’ script, and took out the trash.

Now, as if straight from every girl in the class’s dreams, the Saints are a single man – and during senior year no less. He’s already got his acceptance letter to the Princeton Cornell University of Brown, football season’s over and he’s ready to have some fun. Finally.

So here he is – at the final blowout of high school. He missed the first three years thanks to “Soul-Sucking Sally,” and he’s got one night to make up for it.

Three words: Fasten. Your. Seatbelts.

Inspiration: Drew Brees

Minnesota Vikings: He’s hilarious. Everyone loves the guy. All year, he’s been the dude you absolutely have to invite to the parties, or it’s just not the same. The only problem is – he can’t hold his liquor.

He has a great time at the beginning, but inevitably, when he gets his hands on Ray-Ray’s spiked punch, it’s all down-hill. He starts to get all emotional, tells everyone he loves them, laughs way too long at jokes; and in the end - as reliable as a late-game Favre interception - the Vikings find themselves hugging porcelain.

It was a great run before that though. You just have to know your limits. Live and learn, right Brett?

Inspiration: Brett Favre.

Dallas Cowboys: The rich kid.

He’s a bit of a dick, he’s really annoying, and you’re pretty sure nobody likes him. But you put up with his antics anyway.

Why? Because the after-party is in his father Jerry’s brand-new $1.15 billion dollar lake-house. Simple as that.

Each year you hope he matures, but each year he’s more miserable than the last. This year though, he’s got the lake-house.

So you know what Dallas? Go ahead, tell us all again about how you’re America’s Team and this year you don’t have T.O., and you went to Mexico with Jessica Simpson – that story will be so much better to hear in front of a 11,000 sq. ft TV.

Daddy Jones wins the day.

Inspiration: Tony Romo

Arizona Cardinals: They nearly won the Super Bowl last year at the Junior Prom with the blue tuxedo act. It was hilarious. And the top-hat, also funny.

But again, this year? I mean, we know you’re just trying to re-create the magic, but c’mon man, try something new.

You want to love the guy, you really do. But just like that one kid who’s seen every Family Guy episode ever and can’t stop quoting them – once you’ve heard all the jokes, the laughs just don’t come like they used to.

Instead, he winds up making a big entrance, gets a lot of laughs, and then just fizzles out. Not exactly how you’d hope to end your high school career, eh Kurt?

Inspiration: Kurt Warner

Philadelphia Eagles: All flash. No substance.

He rolls in the dance in the fresh pinstripes, rocking that pimpin' fedora. Shiny earrings, fresh tie; dude looks fly as hell. And there he is, talkin' big game to the hottest chick at the dance all night long. And everyone's jealous - even the Colts.

The problem? He never closes the deal. He’s the ultimate choke artist when it comes to making it count. He always blows it at the end.

This year the hot girl came in the form of Desean Jackson. Last year it was Brian Westbrook. A few years back, it was T.O., and Brian Westbrook again before him. Every year, he brings another hot girl, each one hotter than the last.

But for the Eagles, the story’s always the same – either she ditches you for the Colts, or she passes out on the ride home. Poor Donovan.

Inspiration: Desean Jackson

Green Bay Packers: You don’t really have a book on this kid – nobody does. He’s sort of cool, not the ugliest kid in the class, and you know he’s smart because you’ve cheated off him a few times in Calculus.

But he’s also a little weird and you’re pretty sure he never showers. He's always good at something obscure, too; like basket weaving. Or The Sims. Or golf.

Naturally, none of that has ever gotten him laid. And probably will never either…probably.

But again, he's a lot better than the rich kid.

Of course, he shows up at the prom, and his shirts all un-tucked and his ties all screwed up. But you share a few laughs, and all in all, he’s not a terrible kid. He’s just got some work to do. The ladies seem to like him, and even though he's never cashed in, you know he'll do alright eventually.

I mean, let’s be honest – he’s going to be cool some day. But he’s still a little lost. Give it time – Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Let's just hope he doesnt keep all that sexual frustration bent up until he's older...could get ugly.

Inspiration: Aaron Rodgers

NFL Championship Recap: From the Ashes

by Ian Tasso

Editorial. Photos by AP News.

And after all the talk, Manning was Manning, Brees was Brees, and well, Favre was Favre.

All week long people had speculated that the Jets might be able to upset the Colts. Why? Good question. Sure, they had the defense. And yes, they matched up nicely with their run game. But did Peyton Manning ever given us reason to bet against him?

And the Vikings with their four-man rush were a popular upset pick as well. But as they have all season, the Saints forced turnovers. And as he has all season, Adrian Peterson coughed them up. And in the end, Brees was simply too much for the Vikings defense to handle, and we have what we all wished for - the slugfest of the century.

Rocky and Apollo Creed, eat your heart out - we've got Manning versus Brees.

Here's how we got here:

Colts 30, Jets 15

Things didn't look good at the beginning. But then again, they didn't in 2006 either. Or during week 10 against the Patriots. But as we've come to expect in recent history, Peyton Manning turned the switch on.

And as us Pats fans know full well, when that happens, it usually doesn't work out for the other team. The victim this time? Mark Sanchez, that vaunted Jets defense, and Rex Ryan (finally).

To be honest, I expected the Colts to win. But I didn't expect them to put up 30 points like they did. What's even more surprising is how they did it - at times, they actually attacked Darrelle Revis, the 'best cornerback the NFL has ever seen,' according the Rex Ryan. But then again, nothing Peyton Manning does should surprise me, ever. Not after i've seen him bend the Patriots defense over time and time again.

As for the rest of the game, here's what went down…

Player of the Game:

It's unreal.

Even against the league's number one defense, Manning did it again. This time, the NFL's MVP torched New York's secondary for an amazing 377 yards and a trio of touchdowns, completing 26 of his 39 passes.

He was flawless in his delivery, flawless in his game-management, and flawless in his Oreo commercials with Eli and the Trump(s). There's really not much else you can say about the guy anymore, except that the NFL world should learn a very valuable lesson from this game.

Don't bet against Manning in that dome. It's almost like betting against the kid who uses Mario in MarioKart64. You only get burned every time, because he's usually the one who owns the game and plays every day. Because that's what Manning has become - the kid at the party who plays that one game way to much, and kicks everyone's ass at it.

And mark my words, pretty soon the NFL just won't want to play against him anymore.

Goat of the Game:

We learned Isaac Newton's law in sixth grade - for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. And Sunday afternoon, we saw it in real-time.

Meet Dwight Lowry, the rookie cornerback who was the equal and opposite reaction to Pierre Garcon's 11 catch, 151 yard action.

Lowry, a rookie cornerback who was a back-to-back All-American in 2006 and 2007, looked like exactly that out on the field - a rookie cornerback. Garcon (with a little help from Peyton Manning) ran circles around Lowry all game, who turned 24 one day before the Jets got massacred at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Happy birthday?

Key Play:

With time winding down in the first half, the Colts found themselves actually trailing New York by a fairly large margin, 17-6. But then Peyton Manning got the ball with just over two minutes remaining, and he did what he usually does - score.

Manning proved once again there is nobody better in the two-minute offense than his highness, as he pulled yet another marvelous purely-shotgun drive out of his golden behind, keyed by a 46-yard completion to Austin Collie, bringing the Colts down to the Jets 16-yard line and still over a minute left.

The pass was a beautifully threaded needle right over the head of Drew Coleman, right into the hands of Austin Collie, and right under the coverage of safety Kerry Rhodes. If Manning throws that ball one yard further, that baby's incomplete. If he throws it one yard shorter, Coleman undoubtedly picks it off. And if he unleashes it just one second later, Austin Collie is looking at a world of pain courtesy of Kerry Rhodes and his left shoulder.

But Peyton Manning has become somewhat of a perfectionist on the football field, and that throw showed it. A tightly woven spiral that painted his career in one simple arc - amazing. One play later Manning hit Collie once again, this time for 6. The result? Colts go into the half down 17-13, and not 17-6. And thats when the momentum shifted.

It Couldn't Have Been Different If…

Shonne Green didn't get knocked out of the game on the second play of the third quarter. Greene had been knocking the Colts D around pretty good in the first half, posting 41 yards on 10 carries. The yardage isn't necessarily jaw dropping, but he'd posted a 4.1 average and the Jets were able to chew up clock and keep Peyton Manning off the field.

Once Thomas Jones entered the game, he only held a 2.6 yard/carry average the rest of the half.

All post-season long, Green had been the knockout punch for the Jets, including the Divisional game where he singlehandedly ended the Chargers season (with a little help from Nate Kaeding). Unfortunately, his injury did exactly that for the Jets, who found themselves spiraling downward once Green hit the sidelines, never to return for the rest of the game.

It Was Over When...

Manning got the ball back in his hands with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Honestly, the third-and-five from the New York 25 right before that may be the most underrated third-and-five in playoff history. Had the Jets converted and possibly drove down the field to score either a field goal or a touchdown, we're talking a one score game here.

Except they didn't. Instead, they punted away, and Peyton Manning ran off five and a half minutes of clock, with Stover kicking the game icing field goal.

The Jets wouldn't get the ball back until there were just over two minutes left on the clock and trailing 30-17. Game.

This Game In a Movie:

Every Final Destination movie ever made.

Cast:

All those annoying kids - The Jets

The Death they avoided in the beginning - Cincinnati and San Diego

The Death that got them in the end - Peyton Manning

The kid who dies first - Rex Ryan

This annoying girl - Nate Kaeding

The Jets screwed up the master plan by beating the Bengals and Chargers in round one. But in the end, Fate winds up handling every single one of those Jets, just as Peyton Manning always gets what is his in due time.

Because honestly - did you really think the Jets would win? Really? Nah, and just like all those annoying teenagers in every Final Destination movie, they might think they'll live in the end - but they're dead, you know it, and you can't wait to see it happen. Sorry, Rex. You can only keep up the charades for so long...

Saints 31, Vikings 28 - OT

I'm a believer.

I've never been the kind of guy who listens to all that "destiny" talk. I've always thought that players are players and games are games - and there wasn't much else to it. But that all changed Sunday night.

Everything Saints fans dreamt of came true. Every part of the hopeful-fan's prediction book came absolutely true. Peterson fumbled. Favre threw a crucial interception. Brees got his touchdowns. The Saints runningbacks exposed the Vikings aggressive front four. And in the end, New Orleans wound up heading to the Super Bowl.

In a game where Brett Favre alone outgunned the entire Saints offense (310-257), somehow New Orleans still found a way to win. It was the perfect combination of heart, luck and the Vikings seemingly having no interest in winning at all that paved the way for the Saints.

But as they say - sometimes it's better to be lucky then good. But as the Saints have found out time and time again - it's undoubtedly better to be both.

Player of the Game:

Terrence Porter.

The man was an absolute beast all night. Not only did his interception prevent what appeared to be an imminent Saints loss on the leg of Ryan Longwell, he also caused one of the seven forced fumbles on the day.

His particular fumble came after a Bernard Berrian catch and run that brought the ball all the way to the New Orleans 18-yard line. But like the rest of the Saints defense, Porter went in punching the ball and knocked it loose, and the Saints recovered. New Orleans had a 7-point lead a the time, but in a game that eventually went into overtime, taking away a possible 3-7 points from the Vikings offense meant the world in the end.

Goat of the Game:

Brett Favre.

I don't like him, but Brad Childress coached well enough to win, his team just fumbled it away. Peterson may have fumbled three times, but he didn't lose any of them - and hit over 100 yards and three scores. Even the defense did a great job controlling the Saints, and again, this team played well enough to win. But they didn't. Why?

Because when the chips were down on the table, Favre ruined it all again. Yes, he took a beating that game, and I feel for him. He even limped off the field during the game, and some thought that was all we would hear from number four.

But by god, he came back, and you have to respect him for that. But sometimes, just toughing it out isn't enough to win - just ask Boromir from Lord of the Rings. It doesn't matter how many huge arrows you take to the chest, sometimes you're just going to die, regardless of how tough you are.

In the end, three turnovers, including one that iced the game and another that was committed inside the 10-yard line, are enough to hand you Goat of the Game honors. Congrats Favre. Can't wait to hear all about your (not-so) retirement this offseason.

Key Play:

We all knew it was coming - we just didn't know when.

With time running out in the 4th quarter, Brett Favre committed his Odysseus-like tragic flaw once again, throwing an interception to Terrance Porter inside Saints territory. Only a few yards more, and the Vikings would have trotted out Ryan Longwell, one of the NFL's premier kickers, for a decisive kick.

Instead, they went to overtime - and well, we all know how that worked out.

It Could Have Been Different If…

Favre and Peterson didn't fumble inside the Saints 10-yard line towards the end of the second half.

This game was a back-and-forth slugfest. You know going in that every point was going to matter. Both offenses can score at will, and it was going to be a very close finish.

It was, and the Vikings wound up on the wrong side of it. But had they punched in from a 2nd-and-goal at the Saints four-yard-line, this game could have been very different. Especially when you consider that the Vikings were really clamping down on the Saints offense for much of the entire game. They got the ball on the Saints ten after a Reggie Bush muffed punt, and we all know what happens when you give a team like the Saints second chances.

Just ask Tampa Bay. Or Atlanta. Or the rest of the NFL.

It Was Over When…

Garrett Hartley booted a 40-yard field goal that thanks to Roger Goodell, ended the overtime, and one of the greatest NFC Championships in history.

It was everything it was built up to be - a phenomenal game that can only be described as Avatar.

But for as great as this collision of NFC titans was, I'm sure the Super Bowl will be just as good if not better.

And it better be - because thanks again to Roger Goodell, we no longer have the Pro Bowl as a buffer incase the Super Bowl sucks. Because historically, the Pro Bowl has been the ugly chick of the NFL. And as fans, we used to be able to bank on that date with the ugly chick just incase the Super Bowl, or the dinner with the really hot one, is either really awkward or ends prematurely. Because hey - at least if she stands up, throws her napkin in your face, and the Steelers win the Super Bowl - you get to look forward with your date with Cherry, that really ugly chick across the street, but at least she loves sports so you can kill time, a few beers, and some nachos (and your pride.)

But no longer. For one year, we'll have to put all our eggs in that one Super Bowl basket. And if this date with the incredibly hot chick goes incredibly wrong - well, that's all she wrote, and you leave empty handed.

Because not all of us can be like Tiger Woods.

This Game in a Movie:

Avatar.

Cast:

The Na'vi - The Saints

The Humans - The Vikings

Jake Sully - Drew Brees

Neytiri - Darren Sharper

Colonel Miles - Brett Favre

Animals of Pandora - Saints Defense

James Cameron - God

This actually works so perfectly, you begin to think that maybe James Cameron/God made this knowing it would happen for real in the NFC Championship Game.

Early in his career, Drew Brees was literally crippled by the Chargers, their play calling, and their coaching staff. It was so bad, when he was a free-agent, not even the Miami Dolphins wanted him. They actually chose Daunte Culpepper instead.

Enter, Saints - or that weird time machine thing that gives Sully his legs back. Once in Pandora, Jake Sully is immediately badass, sort of like Drew Brees was once he started throwing for 6,000 yards a year in New Orleans. But things weren't always good in New Orleans - much like in Pandora.

Both lost their home. Disaster struck New Orleans much like the Na'vi lost their Home Tree. Jake Sully looked lost in Pandora. The Saints even struggled big-time in the NFL, finishing above .500 only once in Brees' four years the Saints. Until they got some help.

Sully's help came in the form of Neytiri, a local Na'vi, and the Saints' help came in the form of Darren Sharper. Equipped with Sharper and Neytiri's agility, quickness and knowledge of the game, both the Saints and Jake Sully were able to become a complete NFL team - a complete Na'vi citizen - and win.

Together, Brees and Sharper brought the Saints all the way to the NFC Championship game, much like Sully and Neytiri brought prosperity to the Na'vi people. Both of their stories were inspiring.

So inspiring, Sully was able to travel across Pandora to unite a previously isolated Na'vi people - recruiting thousands. Similarly, the Saints' story spread across America like wildfire, their bandwagon growing with every victory. Even now, they are backed by the greater body of the United States, pulling for the underdog that has risen from the ashes of a hurricane-shattered city.

Then the final battle came.

Colonel Favre and the Vikings fought evenly with the Saints, despite New Orleans' home field advantage. Minnesota even appeared the better prepared team, running up and down the field against the Saints all game long, much like how the Humans began to over-take the Na'vi in the battle.

But the turnovers.

Even when Colonel Miles had Jake Sully pinned at the end of the movie - just like even when Brett Favre drove his team for a winning field-goal at the end of the game - that fatal turnover came like a giant Black Panther out of the corner of the screen.

Because in the end, no matter how many different hi-tech robot suits Colonel Favre puts on - Packers colored ones, Jets colored ones or Vikings colored ones - he's still the same Brett Favre. And an interception is still an interception.

Destiny would win the day in a game so epic, it also deserves to win a Golden Globe (or two).

Creepy isn't it?