Can the Vikings recapture the magic from 2009?

Brett Favre is worrying about it. Shouldn't we care too?

"It's very hard to repeat what we did last year, let alone go beyond that," Favre told Thomas George of AOL Fanhouse on Aug. 31.

Will the Vikings capture the same magic that seemed to follow the team all year?

Face it; the Vikings had their fair share of lucky breaks last year. See Favre's Hail Mary against the 49ers and the game against Baltimore, three weeks later, where the Ravens should've made a last second 44-yard field goal.

The magic of last season is in a serious state of flux this year. And it's not due to anything Minnesota can control per se. There's no guarantee those 50-50 games go Minnesota's way in 2010. You should sweat even more considering that the Vikings beat the Packers twice last year and still only won the division by one game. The Vikings have the core from 2009 intact, but every season is different with its own twists and turns.

This Thursday could be the first magic act.

When the Vikings take on the Saints in the NFL's season opener, all eyes are going to be on the re-match of the NFC Championship game. If Favre, Peterson and the rest of the team can overcome the "who dat" chants and unveiling of the Super Bowl champions banner, it's going to take a bit of luck — or magic — or whatever you want to call it.

I've given up trying to predict which teams will and will not contend for the Super Bowl. There are too many factors in play. Like injuries and that bit of luck some teams have, just to name a few.

The Vikings have already taken their share of blows, and the season hasn't started yet. Sidney Rice is out for half the season and the secondary might have to rely on Cedric Griffin, who's coming off an ACL tear. Plus, rookie corner Chris Cook is not expected to play Thursday night due to a knee injury.

The best teams make their own magic though. If you have the talent and quality coaching, the breaks seem to find you — you come to expect it. When the Lions went 0-16 a few years ago, did anything go Detroit's way? No, and there's a reason for that.

Players like Favre and Peterson have a knack for being in the center of that magic. There's a reason for that too — they're talented. But why would Favre question if this team have a repeat performance or better in 2010? Maybe he doesn't believe lightning can strike twice in the NFL. Maybe without Sidney Rice, he was questioning whether he would be able to make those spectacular plays with another receiver. We came to expect those plays week in and week out. Perhaps he's trying to temper expectations — those Super Bowl expectations that were heaped onto his shoulders and his alone. Without Favre, would anyone pick the Vikings to win the Super Bowl?

No matter how few players are different from last year's team, it's a new year. A new NFL. It's going to be a rocky road to travel no matter what.

Thursday's game could be more revealing than you think. Magic is unpredictable. But wouldn't the timing be fitting against New Orleans? The magic might be there or it might not.