It might be time for Packers fans to prepare for the worst-case scenario.

Or, maybe it's the next-to-worst-case scenario.

Thirteen years after leading the green and gold to triumph in Super Bowl XXXI, Brett Favre returns this weekend to New Orleans, where he hopes to lead Green Bay's hated rival, the Vikings, to the NFC Championship.

For many Packers fans, the only way this could be worse is if Favre's road to Miami included a playoff victory over Green Bay.

In any event, the stage is set.

The Vikings steamrolled the Cowboys Sunday at Mall of America Field -- renamed by some as "Maul of America" -- and, though their defense was absolutely suffocating, Favre was a major reason the players were able to sing "Pants on the Ground" (see below) in the locker room after the game.

Ridiculous as it may sound when talking about a three-time MVP who long ago cemented his place in Canton, the old guy might be playing the best football of his career.

He's patient. He's poised. He takes what the defense gives him, without forcing the issue. He avoids sacks without scrambling, by reading defenses and reacting with split-second precision. He may still have the boyish enthusiasm that you remember from that magical game against New England in the Superdome, but he's playing with the control of a Jedi master.

It makes you wonder -- how many Super Bowls would this version of Brett Favre won in Green Bay? Would he have thrown that pass in overtime against the Giants.

As the philosopher McGwire said, we're not here to talk about the past. We're here to talk about the future.

With all due respect to the other standout quarterbacks left in the tournament -- Peyton Manning and the Colts and Drew Brees of the Saints -- the best possible story line heading into the Super Bowl would be Favre against the team he played for last season.

Talk about your dilemmas ...

Think of all the fans who bought Jets jerseys with Favre's name and number and chanted J-E-T-S last year. They might have been pre-disposed to cheer for New York until last week, when Jets coach Rex Ryan rankled Packers fans by ripping Charles Woodson's defensive player of the year award, which he felt should have gone to his cornerback, Darrell Revus.

Some fans may have trouble rooting for the Jets after that. Others will adopt the "anybody who is an enemy of my enemy" stance and root hard for Favre and the Vikings to lose.

After what happened on Sunday, some football fans may join them. The Vikings angered much of Dallas' fan base with their last touchdown. The Vikings were ahead, 27-3. The verdict was a formality. With less than 2 minutes left, the Cowboys were out of timeouts. It was fourth down, seven yards to go. Minnesota could have run the ball, trying to get a first down and kneel down for the remaining plays. Instead, Favre dropped back and threw a touchdown pass to tight end Viasanthe Shaincoe to make the score 34-3.

Cowboys linebacker Keith Brooking chased Favre to the sideline, yelling at him and the Minnesota coaching staff. Ironically, Brooking later called the play "classless."

The episode sparked a debate about sportsmanship, decorum and the "unwritten rules" of sports. Former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson and ex-quarterback Terry Bradshaw discussed the issue on FOX's post-game show.

"It's a butt-kicking, and if you don't want your butt kicked, you play better," Johnson said. "You can only coach one team, you can only play as hard as you can play on one side. There's no running up (the score). This is professional football."

Bradshaw took the other side, saying "Jimmy, no way would I have done that. I would have shown a whole lot of different respect. (Minnesota) had the game won. There's no sense in getting Brett (Favre) another touchdown pass."

Johnson replied, "Do whatever you have to do to get your team to play as well as they can play, because it will help them next week. Don't worry about that other team. That other team has got to take care of their own problems."

Favre downplayed the incident, saying he meant no disrespect. Of course, Packers fans may recall that he checked out of a running play in an attempt to throw a late touchdown against Green Bay.

After all these years, Favre is still an enigma. He's still a superstar. And, in the next few days, we'll find out if he's still a champion.

The pieces are in place. New Orleans will be a tough test, but it would be silly to bet against Favre at this point.