"And An Orange Crush New Year"

Tis the season to be jolly, and the Minnesota Vikings have a lot to be jolly about; but the Denver Broncos do not. Minnesota is one win and a Washington loss from a playoff birth for the first time since 2004, where they defeated the Green Bay Packers, in Green bay on Wild Card Weekend; thus becoming the first 8-8 team to win a playoff game. The Denver Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs three weeks ago with a 31-13 loss to Houston.

This weekend the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings will face off in the season finale, with playoff implications on the line. While the Vikings must win and Washington must lose on Sunday for Minnesota to make the post season, some game times have been rescheduled. The Washington-Dallas game was originally scheduled for a noon start, while the Minnesota-Denver game was set for 3:05pm in Denver. The NFL has since changed the time of the Washington-Dallas game to 3:05pm, so Minnesota will not know their fate until the end of their game. For Washington, it's "Win and You're In", while for Minnesota it's "Take Care of Business and Control Your Own Destiny." Last week I was writing articles on a "Purple Christmas", and now this week, thanks to a young lady from WeareVikings.com named "Julie" I will be writing about an "Orange Crush New Year," as our Minnesota Vikings look to crush Jay Cutler and his Denver Broncos in their quest for a playoff birth.

Minnesota will once again be led by second year quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson has really stepped up his game and appeared to be making that turn he desperately needed to be successful it in the NFL. Jackson played very well in games against: Oakland, the New York Giants, Detroit, and San Francisco. Then in week 15 against the Bears, it looked as if Jackson was heading for a tail spin, and hit that tail spin in the first half of the Washington Redskins game last week. Although Jackson did turn it around in the second half of the Washington game, he will need to play all game long against Denver like he did in weeks 11-14.

Tarvaris Jackson did turn his very poor season around and became a respectable quarterback. His slight tail spin should not concern Minnesota fans too much. Jackson did show great signs of life in the second half of the game, as he nearly mounted a great comeback. Jackson and his Vikings were on a roll when a recovered fumble by the Vikings was overturned due to a penalty of: "too many men on the field." Washington then put the nail in the Vikings coffin, and spoiled our "Purple Christmas." Too make the "Orange Crush New Year" come true, all the Vikings need to do is win! The rest will be taken care of by Dallas.

Tarvaris Jackson and his Vikings offense should have a very good week in Denver. The Broncos' defense is ranked seventh in the passing game, but 30th in the rushing game. With the Broncos inability to stop the run, Minnesota's dynamic duo of Peterson and Taylor should have a field day in Denver.

Jackson and his passing game is what will need to step it up. If Jackson can come out throwing this week and complete some good passes early on, it will force Denver to play back and not stack the line with eight to nine players. As Denver is hard to pass on anyway, it will be a much easier day for Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor if Jackson's passing game is on.

Both of Jackson's top receivers are injured, but listed as day-to-day. Bobby Wade is the Vikings leading receiver in yards (555), and receptions (49). Wade also has one touchdown. Sydney Rice is second on the team in receptions (31), and yards (396) and has four touchdowns on the season.. Without both Bobby Wade and Sydney Rice in the game, Minnesota will need to turn their attention to Troy Williamson, Visanthe Shiancoe and Robert Ferguson.

Troy Williamson has been a grave disappointment to the Vikings since 2005. Williamson was selected in the first round and was suppose to possess great speed. While no one questions Williamson's speed, it's his hands that present the problem. Williamson had the most dropped passes in the NFL last year. This season Williamson has been used frequently on kick off returns with 17 for 387 yards, but has 18 receptions for 240 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver. Robert Ferguson has been a bright spot for our Vikings as of late. Ferguson is tied for third on the team in receptions (27), is third in yards (352), and has one touchdown. Visanthe Shiancoe is also tied for third on the team in receptions with (27), but fourth on the team in yards (323), and has one touchdown. Look for Minnesota to utilize Ferguson much more this week, and use Shiancoe more than usual.

Then there is the dehydration problem for Minnesota. An article came out this week with concerns about dehydration in Denver. I think the Vikings players and coaches will make sure they are well hydrated. This way our Viking defense can continue to do their job by stuffing the Broncos run, and slow down their passing game. Our Viking defense is still ranked number one on the run and dead last on the pass game. However, until last weeks game against the Redskins, our Vikings defense allowed five touchdowns (four passing and one running), had 12 sacks, six interceptions, and six forced fumbles in five weeks. Last week against Washington, they allowed four touchdowns (three passing and one running), and never forced a turnover. Minnesota's defense will be on track this week, and should stop Denver.

There is a lot riding on this week's game. Minnesota can make or break themselves in Denver. With a victory, they will improve to 9-7 on the season, and will make the playoffs with a Washington loss. With a Viking win and a Washington win, the Redskins make the playoffs with the tie breaker. Regardless of what happens, Vikings fans should be proud of their team. We came from a 3-6 record, and will finish at or above .500. There are not too many teams in the league that can say they did that. I believe we will see a lot of off-season moves made this year, and have a much improved team for next season. Minnesota should be proud of their team and stand behind them in full support.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!