Souhan: Perceptions change when things turn so ugly

GLENDALE, ARIZ. - The first time the Vikings touched the ball on Sunday night, they drove effortlessly for a touchdown, demonstrating to a national television audience how they had surged to a 10-1 record.

By the middle of the fourth quarter, they were kneeling in prayer for the worst of the night's many injuries, and their flaws were peeking out like pimples beneath a coat of makeup.

The Cardinals whipped the Vikings 30-17, prompting worries for Minnesotans who have already booked flights to New Orleans for the NFC Championship Game.

Vikings fans overwhelmed the one hotel within walking distance of University of Phoenix Stadium this weekend, and many of them wore Brett Favre jerseys. Strangely, some wore the Packers version.

Perhaps the old green jerseys acted like voodoo dolls on Favre, who reacted to a large deficit and poor play by his teammates with one of his vintage reckless performances, displaying a side of himself that Vikings fans hadn't seen since he donned purple.

With Minnesota's running game in neutral and the secondary stuck in reverse, Favre gambled and lost. After throwing three interceptions in the first 690 minutes of the season, he threw two unconscionable picks in the first 10 minutes of the second half, turning the Vikings' biggest challenge in at least a month into a rout.

Losing to the defending NFC champs on the road in a less-than-vital game isn't exactly cause to rescind Brad Childress' contract extension or retroactively fine Favre for skipping training camp.

The Vikings' banged-up offensive line gave Peterson few holes. Even when he found space he didn't look like the dynamo who, as recently as October, was being compared to the best backs in history. Right now, Peterson is running like the Minnesota state troopers are aiming a radar gun at him.

"We obviously have to play better if we want to be in the Super Bowl this year," Favre said.

Favre played well early.

He started looking reckless after he realized he would have to win a shootout with Arizona's Kurt Warner.

"I let their defense get to me," Favre said. "They rushed three and dropped eight. The better decision would have been to not throw it.

The Vikings offensive line, already missing guard Anthony Herrera, watched Phil Loadholt and Bryant McKinnie leave the game temporarily because of injuries. Even when they were in the game, the offensive line had trouble keeping Favre on his feet.

On one second-half sack, Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell took delight in slamming Favre to the ground. Favre got up, advanced on Campbell, and looked at him the way Clint Eastwood looked at the thugs in "Gran Torino."

"I thought the play was over," Favre said. "My temper got the best of me."

Favre survived, but the Vikings had lots of players writhing on the ground. In the fourth quarter, linebacker E.J. Henderson suffered a broken leg, causing Childress to rush onto the field to console him and players from both teams to dip their heads in prayer. "I know it's football," Favre said. "But that was awful."

Strangely, Childress kept Favre in the game until the end, and Peterson in until the two-minute warning. It was as though he wanted one last score to act as mouthwash, and he got it when Favre hit Percy Harvin for a touchdown.

He has to hope this was an aberration, not an exposé of his team's suddenly numerous flaws.

"This," Favre said, "is the time of year when you want to peak."