Too many thoughts about the 3-B (Brett-Brad Benching) drama to put it all together. Let's just run off at the keyboard ...

* This entire thing -- the confrontation on the sideline in Carolina, Brett Favre's comments after the loss, the revelations of prior issues and the alleged resolution -- might mean nothing for the Minnesota Vikings. But coach Brad Childress made a catastrophic miscalculation telling Favre he wanted to pull him from a close game, safety concerns or not. Favre has proven time and again he's not going to keep something like that to himself, and now it's the sort of distraction the preseason "schism" report never was, because the involved have acknowledged there is (or at least was) a problem.

* What happens on Monday night at Chicago and beyond? Reports roundly have indicated Favre's propensity for changing run plays to pass plays has caused tension, even leading Childress to consider benching Favre on three occasions before last week. So, does Childress revert to a run-heavy attack? Does Favre acquiesce by checking out of fewer plays -- or does he start calling even more audibles to prove he's in control? Every line check will be scrutinized, and don't think the notoriety of the issue won't be on both men's minds.

* Childress and Favre supposedly were good buddies. (That's why they were talking over that summer when Favre was retired from the Green Bay Packers, remember?) So, how could Childress become so incensed with Favre's decision-making to consider yanking him? For better or worse, this is how Brett Favre plays.

* Before the season, a pro scout for an NFC team told me he had major durability concerns about Favre, given the quarterback's late-season fades since 2004 and the throwing shoulder had had fixed in the offseason. But the scout added this: "Brett is off-the-charts intelligent. He's one of those guys when a defense can line up in one front for 10 plays, on the 11th play, he'll notice the one guy that is not aligned where he should be. He knows what they're trying to do defensively and he'll make the appropriate check. He's that good. That's what keeps him going, is he's so sharp mentally." In other words, Childress' concern is with what Favre does best at this stage of his career.

* In the past, quarterbacks Brad Johnson and Gus Frerotte complained about having no input in game planning and limited responsibility at the line of scrimmage in Childress' run-first, basic version of the West Coast offense. Perhaps Favre should known what he was getting into as well.

* Bottom line: The Vikings are 11-3. One more win could earn them a first-round playoff bye, and success in January will make everyone forget the drama in December. But if the Vikings stumble, who knows whether Childress and Favre would even be willing to try again in 2010? The only certainty is Childress will be back, thanks to the contract extension through 2013 Favre's play -- within the system or outside of it -- helped him secure.

Flexing muscle

The NFL's flexible-scheduling decision for next weekend could have a significant impact on the NFC playoff picture.

Unlike other weeks, no game is scheduled in advance for the prime-time slot on NBC in Week 17, and Fox and CBS aren't allowed to protect any games. It's up to the league (in consultation with the networks) to select a matchup with playoff implications.

One logical choice is Dallas-Philadelphia, scheduled for noon, because it could decide the NFC East Division title. It also could impact both teams involved in two other games: Giants-Vikings at noon and the Packers-Arizona at 3:15 p.m.

Minnesota and Arizona likely would rest players if the No. 2 seed already has been settled, but that spot could remain up in the air if the Eagles haven't played. That uncertainty then would trickle down to the Giants and Packers, who most likely would need to win to secure a wild-card berth.

A prime option among AFC games is Pittsburgh-Miami, assuming both teams remain alive for a wild-card berth. It's unclear whether the NFL would consider Indianapolis-Buffalo, since the Colts could be going for a 16-0 regular season but the game would have no playoff implications whatsoever.

The decision will be made by Tuesday.

Bet on it

The New Orleans Saints' loss to Dallas last Saturday left the Colts as the NFL's lone remaining unbeaten -- and moved them into the favorite's position in Las Vegas.

The Bodog Sportsbook has the Colts at 11-to-4, just ahead of New Orleans (3-1) and significantly in front of San Diego (11-2), Minnesota (7-1), Philadelphia (9-1), New England (10-1) and Arizona (16-1). Baltimore, Dallas and Green Bay are at 24-to-1. Cincinnati is at 26-1, with rest of the teams still in contention all long shots of 55-to-1 or longer.

The early Super Bowl line favors the AFC by 1 1/2. The over-under is 52 1/2.

Information from a variety of sources was used in this report. E-mail assistant sports editor Tom Pelissero at tpelisse@greenbaypressgazette.com

By the numbers

8 -- Touchdowns of 50-plus yards this season for Eagles WR/PR DeSean Jackson, matching the single-season NFL record held by Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (1951) and Devin Hester (2007).

6 -- Seasons between 1,000-yard rushing seasons for Dolphins RB Ricky Williams, who rushed for 1,372 in 2003 and has 1,055 this season. It's the longest gap in NFL history.

67 -- Receiving yards needed by Texans WR Andre Johnson to join former Colts WR Marvin Harrison (2001-'02) as the only players with consecutive seasons of 1,500 or more.

Quote board

"Still alive. You can't kill us until we're dead."
-- Steelers LT Max Starks, about improving to 7-7