Raw Brutality, and Brett Favre’s Class

Raw Brutality, and Brett Favre’s Class

Saints fans implored their team to "Bring the Wood," and they did. (Bob Rosato/SI)

Saints fans implored their team to "Bring the Wood," and they did. (Bob Rosato/SI)

The calm before the storm. (Bob Rosato/SI)

The calm before the storm. (Bob Rosato/SI)

Some, but not all, of the Saints' hits drew flags. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

Some, but not all, of the Saints' hits drew flags. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

Brett Favre needed help getting off the ground at some points. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

Brett Favre needed help getting off the ground at some points. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

Adrian Peterson axed the Saints on this day, rushing for 122 yards and three scores. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

Adrian Peterson axed the Saints on this day, rushing for 122 yards and three scores. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

Despite taking a number of hits, Brett Favre stood strong in the pocket. (Bob Rosato/SI)

Despite taking a number of hits, Brett Favre stood strong in the pocket. (Bob Rosato/SI)

Sensing a theme? Brett Favre was harassed constantly by the Saints, before and after his throws. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

Sensing a theme? Brett Favre was harassed constantly by the Saints, before and after his throws. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

Trainers tend to one of the many ailments suffered by Brett Favre in the NFC title game. (Bob Rosato/SI)

Trainers tend to one of the many ailments suffered by Brett Favre in the NFC title game. (Bob Rosato/SI)

The Saints weren't the only ones laying hard hits on defense. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

The Saints weren't the only ones laying hard hits on defense. (Peter Read Miller/SI)

The kick that ended Brett Favre's and the Vikings' season. (Bob Rosato/SI)

The kick that ended Brett Favre's and the Vikings' season. (Bob Rosato/SI)

After all the grit and determination, the NFC Championship Game ended in heartbreak for Brett Favre. (Bob Rosato/SI)

After all the grit and determination, the NFC Championship Game ended in heartbreak for Brett Favre. (Bob Rosato/SI)

The Saints' sideline's reaction to Garrett Hartley's game-winning field goal was a bit different from the Vikings'. (Simon Bruty/SI)

The Saints' sideline's reaction to Garrett Hartley's game-winning field goal was a bit different from the Vikings'. (Simon Bruty/SI)