Heading into yesterday’s NFL American and National Conference championship games, fans expected the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings to meet in the Super Bowl. 

Peyton Manning and the Colts did their part, and with time running out in the fourth quarter it looked like the Vikings would live up to expectations as well. Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre rolled to his right and had enough running room to set up a winning field goal attempt for his team. Instead, the veteran threw back across his body and was intercepted. When the game went into overtime, it was the New Orleans Saints who ultimately won with a field goal.

Before the game, 55% of football fans said it was at least somewhat likely Favre would retire when the season comes to an end. That figure included 20% who said it was Very Likely. The 40-year-old Favre came out of retirement to lead the Vikings this year.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) said it’s likely Kurt Warner will retire as well. Warner, now with the Arizona Cardinals, is another veteran quarterback who has both Super Bowl wins and losses on his resume.

The Saints' victory was guided by coach Sean Payton. Of the final four coaches in the playoffs, fans thought Payton had done the best job this year. Thirty-four percent (34%) held that view. Twenty-two percent (22%) thought Rex Ryan of the Jets deserved the honor, followed by 16% who cited Brad Childress of the Vikings and 11% for Jim Caldwell of the Colts.

Twenty-five percent (25%) of football fans liked the idea of having the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl while 57% did not.