The Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings met last season at the Metrodome with a trip to the NFC Championship game at stake.
Neither team suspected the regular-season rematch would be nearly as pressure-packed.
Two of the league’s biggest disappointments face off in a must-win game as the Cowboys visit Favre, their old nemesis Randy Moss and the Vikings on Sunday.
It’s been nine months since Favre threw four touchdown passes and the Vikings’ defensive line dominated with six sacks in a 34-3 rout of the Cowboys in the divisional playoffs.
Dallas (1-3) and Minnesota (1-3) have multiple Pro Bowlers on both sides of the ball, and were picked by many to advance deep into the NFC playoffs this season as well.
The chances of that happening have decreased greatly thanks to uninspiring starts by both teams.
In fact, the loser of this game is unlikely to even make the playoffs. Since 1990, only five teams have reached the postseason after starting 1-4. The last team to do so was the San Diego Chargers in 1992.
Dallas has been beating itself all season. The Cowboys outgained Tennessee 551-321, but lost 34-27 due to a season-high 12 penalties for 133 yards – including an excessive celebration flag that indirectly led to the game-winning touchdown.
Similar mistakes are the reason the Cowboys are second in the league in total yards (421.5) but only 15th in scoring (20.3 ppg). Dallas also has the third-worst turnover margin (minus-4) in the league.
Favre and the Vikings, on the other hand, have their own problems – on and off the field.
Multiple media reports surfaced early last week that Favre sent racy text messages and photos to a former New York Jets employee while both worked for the team in 2008.
The league is currently investigating the situation and a suspension could end Favre’s ironman streak of 289 consecutive games played.
As for the on-the-field issues, the Vikings have plenty.
Favre has accounted for 10 of Minnesota’s 11 turnovers and has said that he may end the streak himself if the tendinitis in his elbow continues to be a problem.
The 41-year-old was clearly bothered by the elbow in Monday night's 29-20 loss to the New York Jets.
Favre struggled early but nearly rallied the team before throwing a game-clinching interception that was returned for a touchdown.
The offense as a whole has suffered without Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice, who is still recovering from hip surgery. Minnesota, realizing this, re-acquired Moss from New England last week for a third-round draft pick after the veteran receiver wore out his welcome with the Patriots.
Moss, who spent the first seven seasons of his prolific career with the Vikings, caught four passes for 81 yards and a touchdown against New York.
Now, the mercurial receiver makes his return to Minnesota against the team he has reveled in punishing for passing on him in the 1998 draft.
Moss has 35 catches for 734 yards and 11 touchdowns in seven games against Dallas and his teams are 7-0 against the Cowboys.
Moss’ presence should open up some more running lanes for Adrian Peterson, who is third in the league with 480 yards. Peterson was held to 63 yards on 26 carries against Dallas in the playoffs last season.
Peterson will try to take advantage of a Dallas rush defense that has allowed back-to-back 100-yard rushers after holding opposing running backs under the century mark for 19 straight games.
Minnesota has won six of the last seven meetings.