Vikings vs. Packers: Chidress Upset, Favre Old and Hurting

If you are a Green Bay Packer's fan, there is good news and bad news this Monday morning.

The bad news is the Packers still have issues and injury problems, although some players may be getting closer to coming back.  The good news is the Minnesota Vikings have many more problems than the Packers do, on and off the field.

Actually this story begins after the Sunday Night game where Green Bay defeated Minnesota 28-24.

After the game, Vikings coach Brad Childress undressed the officiating crew and his quarterback.  

In fact, before going to the podium Childress really let his feelings be known during an interview with Vikings flagship station KFAN.  That’s the worst officiated game I’ve seen," said Childress, whose team fell to 2-4 after losing four games in the entire 2009 regular season. "That referee came over and apologized to me for not calling a hold on the scramble by (Packers quarterback Aaron) Rodgers. And I’ll tell you what, that’s his job. Protect the quarterback and look at the left tackle. Look at the left tackle hold his tail off."

Childress was livid about Green’s reversal of a second-quarter 17-yard touchdown pass that tight end Visanthe Shiancoe thought he had possession of as he made a diving catch. The drive stalled and the Vikings ended with a field goal that took valuable points off the board.

Childress was clearly not happy either with Favre’s decision making. He threw three interceptions in the second half after not throwing one in 72 attempts against his former team in two-plus games.

The A.J. Hawk interception led to Greg Jennings 14-yard touchdown catch from Aaron Rodgers that gave the Packers a 21-17 lead in the fourth quarter. On the Vikings’ next series, Favre’s pass for Randy Moss was picked by linebacker Desmond Bishop and returned for a 32-yard touchdown. That no doubt delighted many in the announced crowd of 71,107 who had seen Favre’s decision-making cost their team on occasions during his 16 years with the Packers.

"It still goes back to taking care of the football," Childress said. "You can’t throw it to them. You’ve got to play within the confines of our system. Sometimes it’s OK to punt the football and you can’t give seven points going the other way. Not in a game like this. Not with a high-powered team."

Childress also said he considered pulling Favre after he was injured following the Hawk interception but did not make it clear if he had approached the veteran. That was the issue last season during a loss at Carolina when Childress suggested to Favre that he might remove him and the quarterback made it clear he wasn’t going to come out.

Favre did not disagree with Childress’ assessment of his play after Sunday’s loss. He also knows the Vikings are in a tough spot.

Favre also talked about his ailing ankle which he injured in the game.  "We’ll see. I’m no spring chicken anymore. I don’t heal as quickly. I know the heart’s in the right place though. I know I left it on the field. It’s just disappointing it didn’t work our way."