FOOTBALL

In the NFL, it was the kickoff to the 2010 season between Brett Favre and the mighty Minnesota Vikings against Drew Brees and the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.  Football fans have been anticipating this game for months.  The nation has football fever and this match-up was going to satiate that.  What better way to begin to the season than a rematch of one of the best games of 2009:  The NFC Championship.  So how would it play out?

Well, Brees and the Saints came out and did what they do best — unleash their offensive firepower.  On their first drive, they easily marched the ball down the field and Brees connected with Devery Henderson for a touchdown.  7-0 Saints.  Then, the Vikings couldn’t get anything done on offense.  This game looked to be a one-sided blowout, but suddenly, the Vikings got their footing on defense and were able to stop the Saints for the remainder of the first half.  And, Brett Favre even connected with Visanthe Shiancoe for a beautiful touchdown, but the extra point was blocked and it was 9-7 Vikings.  In the second half, the Saints came bursting out of the gate, and this time it was their running game that got them another TD, as Pierre Thomas muscled his way into the end zone.  After that, the Vikings offense just wasn’t clicking, and the Saints were able to hold on for the win.  Their title defense begins.  New Orleans 14, Minnesota 9.

Elsewhere in the NFL, it was a very big and strange day for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.  BIG because Tom Brady signed a huge contract extension that will keep him in New England until 2014, when he will be 37 years old.  Brady said he would like to stay in New England and play until he’s 40.  Certainly they will re-assess in 2014, but until then, Brady is the guy.  The deal is worth $72 million with a $48.5 million guaranteed.   However, the day was also quite ‘strange’ for Brady because he got into a car accident that was covered by the media.  Apparently, he wasn’t hurt in the crash.

BASKETBALL

Finally, in basketball, Team USA continues to roll.  They took on Russia and Kevin Durant simply caught fire.  He had 33 points on the night and propelled Team USA into the semi-finals.  The US hasn’t won a world championship since 1994.  The national team has slipped in recent competitions and the US is hoping to continue their success on the heels of an amazing win at the 2008 Summer Olympics.  With the way Durant has been playing, this shouldn’t be a problem.  Team USA 89, Russia 79