AFC Playoff Picture

Looking at how tight the NFC playoff race is for our Minnesota Vikings, I decided to look at the AFC picture as well. There are still many teams lurking around trying to make the post season. Teams like Buffalo, Tennessee, Denver, Houston and Denver.

It is all wrapped up as far an New England and Indianapolis are concerned, while San Diego is one win away from clinching the AFC West Division. Denver lost last night to the surprising Houston Texans, almost assuredly knocking the Denver Broncos from the playoff picture. The Broncos now sit at 6-8 on the season and are one loss away from elimination. A win on Sunday at home against the Detroit Lions will clinch the division for the Chargers, and put the Lions on the brink of playoff elimination. The only other AFC division not settled would be the AFC North.

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently hold a one game lead over the Cleveland Browns. With a combination of a Steelers win and a Browns loss, or two Steelers wins, Pittsburgh will clinch their division. The Steelers have beaten the Browns twice this season and hold the tie breaker over the Browns. By winning out or by beating Buffalo and Cincinnati or San Francisco, Cleveland can still make the playoffs. Listed below are the division leaders and a look at the Wild Card race in the AFC.

Current Division Leaders:

New England Patriots--Clinched AFC East

Indianapolis Colts--Clinched AFC South

San Diego Chargers--One win away from clinching the AFC West

Pittsburgh Steelers--Two wins away, or a one win and a Cleveland loss away from clinching the AFC North

AFC Wild Card Race (Listed by order of playoff entrance): Records in parenthesis

Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) Current Wild Card Leader--One win away from clinching the Wild Card spot. If Jacksonville wins this week against Pittsburgh, the worst case scenario would be they end up at 10-6. The only other team to catch them would be Buffalo, and they hold the tie breaker over the Bills with a win in their head-to-head match up. Jacksonville also has the tie breaker over Tennessee, Houston and Denver. The Jaguars remaining schedule is: December 16 @ Pittsburgh, December 23 Oakland and December 30 @ Houston

Cleveland Browns (8-5) Current Wild Card Leader--Cleveland is only one game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers from the division title. In order for Cleveland to win the division, they must win out, and the Steelers must lose two of their final three games. Pittsburgh has the tie breaker over Cleveland for the title. However, the Browns can still make the final Wild card spot with two wins and one Buffalo and Tennessee loss. The Browns control their own destiny. With a win over Buffalo this weekend, they will have the tie breaker over the Bills. With a win over Buffalo and Cincinnati or San Francisco, Cleveland will win the Wild card spot.

Buffalo Bills (7-6)--The Buffalo Bills also control their own destiny. If the Bills can win out they will make the playoffs. They can make the playoffs with one loss, but must beat Cleveland and New York or Philadelphia to win a Wild Card spot. A loss this weekend will all but eliminate the Bills. Buffalo still plays on December 16 @ Cleveland, December 23 new york Giants and December 30 @ Philadelphia

Tennessee Titans (7-6)--Tennessee must win out and hope for one Buffalo loss and two Cleveland losses. Cleveland currently holds the tie breaker over Tennessee with a better conference record, so Tennessee must have a better record than the Browns. Tennessee has games on December 16 @ Kansas City, December 23 New York Jets, and December 30 Indianapolis. A tough road for this Titan's team to hoe, but is possible.

Houston Texans (7-7) For the Texans to make the playoffs they must win out and hope that Cleveland loses out, while Tennessee loses two games and Buffalo loses to Cleveland. If the Bills win over the Browns this weekend, Houston is eliminated.

Denver Broncos (6-8) dark horse--Must win out and hope that Cleveland and Tennessee lose all three, while Houston and Buffalo lose two of their final three match ups. By winning out and the other three teams losing, Denver will make the playoffs. The Broncos will be eliminated with one Cleveland or Tennessee win the remainder of the season.

This is the best look I can give you for the AFC playoff race. A lot of theses teams need things to happen and win themselves. However, teams like Jacksonville, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Tennessee are still very much alive in the playoff race. Many of these teams control their own destiny, while teams like Houston and Denver are only in it mathematically. this weekend should clear up this race quit a bit.

NFL spotlights Minnesota in back-to-back night games

The Vikings' four-game winning streak and late-season playoff push have landed them a second prime-time appearance.

The NFL announced Monday that the Vikings game against Washington on Dec. 23 at the Metrodome will be moved to a 7:15 p.m. start and aired on NBC. The league reserves the right to shift a Sunday afternoon game to Sunday night in Weeks 11 through 17 as part of its flexible scheduling system.

This the second year of the flex plan, which is in place to avoid ending up with unattractive matchups for the NFL's marquee prime-time window each week. NBC, which also plays a role in picking new games, had been scheduled to air Tampa Bay (8-5) at San Francisco (3-10) on Dec. 23.

The league and NBC also considered moving the Giants (9-4) and Buffalo (7-6) but decided on the Vikings (7-6) against Washington (6-7). The latter matchup is not only one that could be important in the NFC playoff picture, but it also will give NBC a chance to showcase Vikings rookie sensation Adrian Peterson.

This will mark the Vikings' first appearance on NBC's Sunday night game. The Vikings, who play host to Chicago next Monday on ESPN, will now have back-to-back night games.

Coach Brad Childress likes the idea of having his players put in the situation of playing in a marquee game.

"I think it's good that they all realize that they have a chance to have their peers watching, and you always want recognition by your peers and how you get that is by playing well as a team first of all and then as an individual," Childress said.Another opinion

Receiver Troy Williamson, who hasn't played the past two games and continues to experience headaches after suffering a concussion on Nov. 25 against the Giants, will see a neurologist today.
"We're still having questions, even though he practiced last week, about headaches that continue to linger," Childress said.

Williamson said after Sunday's victory over San Francisco that he could have played in the game.
In other injury news:

• Offensive lineman Artis Hicks continues to be slowed by a sore back after having spasms last week. He was inactive for Sunday's game. Hicks does not have a disk injury, but it is something "structural," Childress said. With Hicks out, backup right tackle Marcus Johnson also would be the top replacement at guard.

• Nickel back Charles Gordon (quad contusion) and defensive end Brian Robison (gluteal contusion) received treatment Monday but their injuries don't appear to be serious.

Scoring change
For the second consecutive week, a Vikings defensive lineman has had an interception changed to a fumble recovery after a review by the Elias Sports Bureau. Last week, it was left end Kenechi Udeze.

On Monday, the NFL's official statistician ruled the third-quarter play on which nose tackle Pat Williams appeared to intercept a pass by Shaun Hill actually was a fumble recovery because the arm of the 49ers quarterback was going backward when he lost the ball. The Vikings also were awarded a team sack, giving them three Sunday.

The interception would have been the second of Williams' 11-year career. The change means that defensive tackle Kevin Williams had the only interception for the Vikings on Sunday.Etc.
• Defensive tackle Fred Evans has been reinstated by the NFL after a two-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The Vikings will need to put Evans back on their roster, meaning defensive tackle Conrad Bolston could be cut and placed back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.

• With the Vikings not playing until Monday, the players are essentially off until Thursday.

This article was found in the Star tribune in Minnespolia and written by Judd Zulgad.

Vikings in Driver's Seat

The Minnesota Vikings have taken a once lost season and turned it around to where they are now in the driver's seat and in control their own destiny. Minnesota has put themselves in the unique position of determining who exactly makes the playoffs this season and who goes home. With three games left in the season our Vikings are 7-6 and have sole possession of the last Wild Card spot in the NFC. However, the Vikings need to be careful, as Detroit, New Orleans, Washington, and Arizona are the main challengers for the Wild Card, and Chicago, Philadelphia and Carolina remain as dark horses in the NFC.

The Vikings still have a tough schedule to finish up with, but are in firm control of their destiny. With games against Chicago, Washington and Denver, Minnesota can single handedly eliminate their competition one-by-one. The Vikings can start with Chicago on Monday night when the Bears come to town to face the Vikings in hope of ending Minnesota's four game win streak. However, the playoff bound Vikings have other plans, as they are still battling to make the post season. A win in Monday Night Football will eliminate the Bears from the playoffs, putting their record at 5-9, and 7-9 at best by season's end. The Vikings can also look for help from Dallas and Seattle this week as well. Dallas plays host to their Division rival Philadelphia and Seattle visits Carolina. A win for both Dallas and Seattle will eliminate Philadelphia and Carolina. With a Viking, Dallas, and Seattle win, all dark horse teams will be eliminated from all hopes of the post season at 5-9.

The Vikings will then be back in the driver's seat the following week as they host the Washington Redskins. A victory over the Redskins will eliminate them from playoff contention and give the Vikings the tie breaker. With a win in week 15 over Chicago and 16 over Washington, and one loss in either week from Detroit, Arizona and New Orleans, Minnesota will clinch the final Wild Card spot. The main challengers for the Wild card spot are listed below in order of playoff contention with record in parenthesise:

Minnesota Vikings Wild Card Leader (7-6):

December 17 Chicago Bears; December 23 Washington Redskins; December 30 @ Denver Broncos

Washington Redskins (6-7):

December 16 @ New York Giants; December 23 @ Minnesota Vikings; December 30 Dallas

Arizona Cardinals (6-7):

December 16 @ New Orleans Saints; December 23 Atlanta Falcons; December 30 St. Louis Rams

Detroit Lions (6-7):

December 16 @ San Diego Chargers; December 23 Kansas City Chiefs; December 30 @ Green Bay

New Orleans Saints (6-7):

December 16 Arizona Cardinals; December 23 @ Philadelphia Eagles; December 30 @ Chicago Bears

Carolina Panthers (5-8) Dark Horse:

December 16 Seattle Seahawks; December 22 Dallas Cowboys; December 30 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Philadelphia Eagles (5-8) Dark Horse:

December 16 @ Dallas Cowboys; December 23 @ New Orleans Saints; December 30 Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears (5-8) Dark Horse:

December 17 @ Minnesota Vikings; December 23 Green Bay Packers; December 30 New Orleans Saints

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!

New Polls to Vote on!!!!

Check out the new polls in the left hand column at the bottom. These polls represent who you think will win the AFC and NFC Wild Card races, the AFC North Division Title, and the number one seed in the NFC. Have fun in voting!!!!!

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!

Roll'in Roll'in Roll'in

The Minnesota Vikings keep roll'in, as they won their fourth straight game at Monster Park in San Francisco yesterday afternoon 27-7. This marked the 15th victory over the 49ers in 32 tries. The Vikings are now 7-6 and in lone possession of the last Wild Card spot for the NFC playoffs.

The Minnesota Vikings erased the torrid memory of the 9-3 loss from last season in San Francisco. Tarvaris Jackson had another great afternoon as he completed 16 of 25 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 95.9 on the day. This marks the fourth week that Jackson has improved since the beginning of the season, and is continually gaining confidence. On top of passing for 163 yards, Jackson also rushed the ball nine times for 13 yards making Jackson the second top rusher in yesterday's game.

The Vikings number one rushing offense was stopped cold by the 49ers defense. Adrian Peterson could not even get out of the gate before he was stopped dead in his tracks for most of the game. Peterson had his worst game of the season by far, running the ball 14 times for three yards. His counterpart Chester Taylor ran the ball eight times for 101 yards, including an 84 yard touchdown run. If not for the 84 yard scamper by Taylor, his numbers would have been more like 7 carries for 16 yards. The number one running offense in the league looked to be stuck in the mud.

The Vikings passing game was tremendous in the first half, but too conservative in the second half. Jackson completed 16 of 25 passes for 163 yards and one touchdown on the day. Vikings rookies Bobby Wade caught three passes for 25 yards, while Sydney Rice caught two passes for 21 yards. Viking veteran receiver Robert Ferguson caught four passes for 54 yards and one touchdown. Ferguson's 19 yard touchdown was the first of the season for the seven year veteran.

Minnesota's defense was astounding again this week. With five total turnovers and one interception run back for a touchdown, Minnesota kept the 49er offense from mounting any type of comeback. With a 27-0 lead at the half, the Minnesota offense played much more conservative in the second half, and basically ran out the clock. Although this is not a favorable way of playing football, the Vikings kept the ball out of San Francisco's hands and only allowed one touchdown all game. Minnesota's defense had two sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. This marks the fourth straight game the Vikings defense allowed two or less touchdowns. The Vikings allowed 226 yards passing and 73 yards rushing. The Vikings totally crushed starter Trent Dilfer, by allowing him to complete seven of 19 passes for 45 yards, but allowed six year veteran Shaun Hill to complete 22 of 28 passes for 181 yards and his first career touchdown.

Viking defensive tackle Pat Williams got his first interception since 2004, had five tackles and a sack. Williams earned the NFL.com game ball for his efforts. The other half of the Williams tandem Kevin had one interception he ran back for an 18 yard touchdown early in the first quarter and assisted in one tackle. This was Kevin's second run back touchdown of the season. The other was in week one against Atlanta, which the big guy ran back for 54 yards. Williams did have an interception for an 84 yard touchdown this season, but it was called back for holding. The 300 pounder was exhausted and needed a bit of a breather after that. Minnesota's four forced fumbles were split up between Ben Leber, Conrad Bolston, Cedric Griffin and recently signed Otis Grisby. This was Grisby's first game as a Viking, as the Vikings signed him from carolina last week.

The Minnesota Vikings now have two very important games ahead of them. Minnesota will play host to the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football next week, and the Washington Redskins on December 23rd. Minnesota can "seal the deal" and make the playoffs with victories over both of these teams. A victory over Chicago and Washington will eliminate both teams from playoff contention and almost clinch the Vikings as the Wild Card team.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!

Minnesota Vikings versus San Francisco 49ers Injury Report

Here is your injury report for the Minnesota Vikings versus San Francisco 49ers game set for today at 3:05pm. I am finding out there are not a lot of injury updates during the week, and the players either practice, are limited in practice, or do not practice at all. This should be the final report posted until tomorrow's game day report. All other injury updates who are listed as probable most likely WILL PLAY, doubtfuls will most likely NOT PLAY, and questionables are going to be game time decisions. If there are any major changes in this report, I will post it by 9am tomorrow morning. Otherwise this is it for this week.

Minnesota Vikings game Day Injury Report for 12/9/2007:
12/9/2007 21 Mike Doss (S) Hamstring-----------Doubtful
12/9/2007 56 E.J. Henderson (LB) Illness---------Questionable
12/9/2007 25 Tank Williams (S) Knee-------------Doubtful
12/9/2007 82 Troy Williamson (WR) Concussion--Questionable
12/9/2007 99 Erasmus James (DE) Knee---------OUT
12/9/2007 26 Antoine Winfield (CB) Hamstring---Probable
12/9/2007 28 Adrian Peterson (RB) Knee---------Probable
12/9/2007 54 Dontarrious Thomas (LB) Groin----Probable
12/9/2007 97 Spencer Johnson (DT) Groin--------Probable

12/9/2007 79 Artis Hicks (G) Back----------------Questionable

San Francisco 49ers Game Day Injury Report for 12/9/2007:

12/9/2007 23 Marcus Hudson (CB) Knee------------Out
12/9/2007 36 Shawntae Spencer (CB) Quadricep----Doubtful
12/9/2007 11 Alex Smith (QB) Shoulder------------Doubtful
12/9/2007 83 Arnaz Battle (WR) Ankle-------------Questionable
12/9/2007 26 Mark Roman (S) Ankle---------------Questionable
12/9/2007 21 Frank Gore (RB) Ankle---------------Probable
12/9/2007 13 Shaun Hill (QB) Finger---------------Probable
12/9/2007 89 Jason Hill (WR) Groin----------------Probable
12/9/2007 50 Derek Smith (LB) Groin -------------Probable
12/9/2007 30 Donald Strickland (CB) Knee---------Probable

Vikings Wanna Keep Roll'in

The Minnesota Vikings are looking to keep their three game win streak alive this weekend in San Francisco. The Vikings suffered a humiliating loss to these 49ers last year in San Francisco 9-3, as Brad Johnson and his Vikings had no offense whatsoever and only compiled 238 total yards offensively. Brad Johnson threw for 136 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception, while Chester Taylor rushed for 96 yards on 26 carries, and Artose Pinner, Bethal Johnson, Brad Johnson, and Tony Richardson each had one carry for a total of 11 yards. This was a very dark day for Brad Childress's coaching career, and raised many more questions about the Vikings failing offense.

The 2007 season began as it did in 2006. The Minnesota Vikings won their home opener in 2007 23-3, then lost their next three games by a combined score of 13 points. The Vikings offense was once again ridiculed, and this time first year starter Tarvaris Jackson was getting all the heat. It looked as if the Vikings were to have another season of poor offensive play and great defensive maneuvers. It was the defense and not the offense keeping the Vikings in their games this season, and appeared it was going to be a very long season for Jackson and his offense.

In week two against the Detroit Lions, Jackson threw four interceptions, and no touchdowns before leaving in the fourth quarter with a groin injury. Jackson would then miss the next two weeks of play and have the bye week off to recover. Tarvaris would then return in week six against the Bears and a part of week seven before exiting with another injury. Jackson would miss one week with a concussion, and return in week nine against the Chargers. Jackson would be out in week 11 against the Packers, and make his final return in week 12 against the Raiders.

It was the Raiders game were Jackson would begin to show a glimmer of hope that continue on to this point. Since playing well against Oakland, Tarvaris Jackson would start to improve weekly. In games versus the Oakland Raiders, New York Giants, and the Detroit Lions, Jackson would earn a passer rating of 79.9%, 139.2%, and 111.4% respectively. Jackson's pass completion ratio would go from a high of 56.5% before the Oakland match up, to a new high of 83.3% against the New York Giants. Jackson has thrown three touchdowns and one interception in the past two weeks as well. Tarvaris has recently found a way to connect with his receivers and is now possessing a newly regained confidence in himself. This young man is showing signs of competing gracefully in the NFL and seems to be improving weekly.

Another Minnesota Viking offensive player showing signs of improvement is wide receiver Sydney Rice. Including the match up three weeks ago in Minnesota against the Raiders, Rice has caught 10 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Rice has also thrown two passes and completed them both for a total of 94 yards. Rice's first career completion was to Visanthe Shiancoe for 79 yards against the Raiders. Rice then caught a 60 yard touchdown reception on the first play of the game in New York against the Giants.

Minnesota's Bobby Wade has also shown signs of improvement. Wade caught his first touchdown pass of the season last week against the Lions. Bobby Wade is the team leader in receptions and receiving yards. On the season, Wade has 37 reception for 426 yards and one touchdown. In the past three weeks, Wade has caught 11 passes for 133 yards and one touchdown, and has been a big part of this newly vamped Minnesota offense.

Visanthe Shiancoe has also contributed to this offense recently. He has a 79 yard reception from Sydney Rice, and in the past three weeks has caught 4 passes for 114 yards and no touchdowns, but has aided in keeping the Minnesota offense on the field longer.

The backfield for the Vikings has been number one all season. With the one-two punch of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, Minnesota has kept defenses on their heels all season long. Adrian Peterson leads the team in rushing with 1,197 yards on 184 carries and 10 touchdowns. Peterson's longest touchdown was for 73 yards in week six against the Bears, followed by a 62 yard touchdown against the Chargers in week nine. Peterson's longest carry of the season with out a touchdown was for 55 yards in week four against Green Bay.

The other half of the one-two punch is Chester Taylor. Taylor has taken over for Adrian Peterson the past few weeks because Adrian missed two weeks with a torn LCL. Since regaining the number one spot at running back, Taylor has carried the ball 67 times for 311 yards and five touchdowns. Taylor has easily led the team in rushing the two weeks of Peterson's absence, and shown just why the Minnesota Vikings are so deadly in the backfield.

The Vikings defense has surged as well since the win streak has begun. In week 11 against the Raiders Minnesota allowed 344 yards passing, but prevented Daunte Culpepper and his Raiders to reach the end zone all but one time. The defense sacked Culpepper four times, had one interception and one forced fumble. In week 12 in New York, Minnesota allowed Eli Manning to throw for 273 yards and gave up one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown. Minnesota also intercepted Manning four times, and ran three back for touchdowns. The Vikings went on to sack Manning three times, forced no fumbles and only allowed the Giants to rush for 75 yards on 19 carries. Then last week against Detoit, the Vikings allowed Jay Kitna to throw for 260 yards and one touchdown. Minnesota had no interceptions, but forced two fumbles and had a kick return for a 103 yard touchdown. The Lions only rushed the ball six times for 23 yards.

With the Vikings playing and winning as a team, Brad Childress and his team have found a way to win. Childress has also credited his team's recent success to a talk he had with the the Monday after the Green Bay game. Childress addressed his team about forming new habits, and said it takes 21 days of work to form a habit. The Vikings have made a habit of winning since then, and are now back in the playoff race. If the Vikings can continue their winning ways, they will find this once washed out season as a huge success. Look for our newly energized Vikings to keep on playing and winning in the upcoming weeks. I have even went out on a limb and stated the Vikings will win out and make the playoffs this season. Lets keep cheering them on, supporting our team, and watching them as they continue to play as well as they have, and bolster their newly gained confidence.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!!