Their Determination Inspires Following

Every team in the NFL playoffs has an inspirational leader.

Some teams have made it this far mainly because of proven coaches such as New England’s Bill Belichick, Kansas City’s Dick Vermeil and Dallas’ Bill Parcells, who know the buttons to push and when to push them.

Then there are teams that have advanced because of dominant players who lead their teammates with gutsy play and a never-say-die mentality.

This weekend, three of the league’s best on-field leaders will be involved in wild-card games. Veteran quarterback Brett Favre will lead the Green Bay Packers against Seattle on Sunday, and Baltimore’s Ray Lewis and Tennessee’s Steve McNair will square off today at Baltimore.

Favre’s leadership is undeniable. He’s the NFL’s only three-time MVP, the engine generating the Packers’ success for years. Favre has led Green Bay to the playoffs nine times and to consecutive Super Bowl appearances in the late 1990s, which included a 35-21 victory over Parcells’ New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.

This season, Favre moved his reputation as a leader to a new level.

With the Packers fighting to stay in the playoff hunt over the final two months of the season, Favre played with a hairline crack in the thumb of his right throwing hand.

After suffering the injury against St. Louis on Oct. 19, Favre played every game, wearing a protective splint, which occasionally hampered his passing touch. The splint, however, did not stop him from throwing 21 of his league-leading 32 touchdown passes or prevent him from passing for 2,100 of his 3,361 total passing yards.

Favre’s commitment to his teammates was never more evident than on Dec. 22 in a Monday night game at Oakland. A day after his father had died of a heart attack, Favre shredded the Raiders’ secondary with one of the best games of his 13-year NFL career, passing for 399 yards and four touchdowns.

The Packers may not be a Super Bowl favorite heading into the playoffs, but it’s difficult to count them out because of Favre’s desire.

McNair is another battle-tested quarterback who motivates his team with his heart and willingness to play hurt.

McNair has been injured so much that whenever he practices, it’s news. He’s had 19 injuries and at least four operations since he took over as starter for Coach Jeff Fisher in 1997.

His high tolerance for pain is legendary, but what makes him special to his Titan teammates is the level of his play. McNair, named co-MVP of the league with Peyton Manning on Friday, has led Tennessee to the playoffs four times, including a Super Bowl trip in 2000, when the Titans lost to the Rams.

With the Titans lacking a powerful ground attack, McNair carried them to a 12-4 record with his passing. He threw 24 touchdown passes and led the NFL with a 100.4 passer rating.

Because of his injuries, McNair doesn’t run the way he used to, but when he does, he’s effective. McNair’s four rushing touchdowns are only one fewer than Eddie George’s team-leading five.

And, like Favre, McNair also had a signature game this season.

McNair sat out two of the Titans’ final three games of the regular season, but he was at his best in the one he played.

In the Titans’ 27-24 victory at Houston on Dec. 21, McNair wasn’t expected to play because of a cracked bone spur in his left ankle and a sore right calf. But he did play, and proved to be the difference when he beat the Texans with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Drew Bennett on fourth down with 17 seconds remaining.

For Lewis, leading a team from the middle linebacker position is all about relentless toughness.

The Ravens qualified for the playoffs, thanks to a 5-1 stretch run spearheaded by Lewis. Always regarded as the game’s fiercest tackler, Lewis added big plays to his resume this season.

He grabbed a career-high six interceptions and returned them 99 yards, one for a touchdown. He was named AFC defensive player of the year after making 163 tackles, 125 of them solos.

It’s Lewis’ determination that makes the Ravens such a hard team to beat. Even though he doesn’t play offense, his presence can be felt every time Baltimore has the ball and needs a key first down.

That’s leadership and that’s Lewis. He’s a collision waiting to happen and his intimidating style rubs off on his teammates, who certainly are not the most balanced playoff team in the league.

What Favre, McNair and Lewis have in common is a love for football and a desire to win that puts pressure on the rest of the team not to let each other down. That’s why their teams are in the playoffs.