Matt Suoja: Favre: Looking good in purple

• Matt Suoja

Matt Suoja

Talk about it

There were 12 seconds left in the war between the Vikings and 49ers Sunday.

I declared “It’s over.”

Sure enough, it was (in a way I never expected), with the Vikings pulling out a miracle victory after Brett Favre displayed some late-game heroics only suitable for a legend.

I was certainly surprised when Favre threw a 32-yard bullet to Greg Lewis (he signed with the team after the season has started) to win, but I probably shouldn’t have been.

When he threw the ball, I didn’t even get excited. I’m not used to the Vikings pulling off late-game heroics. It’s usually the Vikings who are the ones who blow it.

He has led countless drives before in his career, but this one may have taken the cake, considering it was his first home game wearing the purple and gold of a former rival.

All right, maybe the guy with the perpetual stubble won’t be seen taking part in any Two Harbors archery shoot soon, hunter though he may be. But he’s beginning to look Minnesotan — at least comfortable in that purple suit. He also quashed many fans’ fears, including my own, that he couldn’t perform at the uber-high level in his glory days.

I was concerned about him throwing the deep ball. But this throw also extinguished my fears. Granted it was only 32 yards; it had plenty of zip and accuracy, which tells me he’s back to his old form.

During the game, I had an epiphany. These two teams will meet again in the playoffs. I think that it will either be in the NFC championship game or the divisional round of the playoffs.

The 49ers are a lot better than I thought they would be and they should make the playoffs.

One item of the Vikings season that is still a concern of mine is the team’s inconsistency.

Granted, the 49ers were lucky to have the lead at half Sunday (a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown put them on top), the Vikings have yet to have a lead at half time during the season.

In the second half, it’s like the Vikings were a different team. If they’re going to play like this all season, they need to keep the game within seven at the half, otherwise they will probably lose.

And when they get to the playoffs —

OK, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Matt Suoja is a reporter with the Lake County News Chronicle. E-mails can be sent to msuoja@lcnewschronicle.com. Call him at 834-2141.