Minnesota Vikings On Top of the World or In the Pits of Despair?

Are the Vikings three hours from redemption or total implosion?

With a dominate win over the Giants they can put their fans at ease and assure them that everything is all right.

If the Vikings pull out another Dome Victory and finish the season undefeated at home there will be a sliver of hope.

They will need the Cowboys to complete the "comeback" by beating the Eagles. Then the road to the Superbowl will lead through the Dome.

That being either the MOA Field at the HHH Metrodome or the Superdome—inside the warm confines of artificially controlled conditions.

I fear the opposite is going to happen. At 10-1 the expectations for this team soared. There was nothing stopping this team's march to Miami.

Nothing, that is, except going 1-5 through December that has Vikings fans fearing this is yet another season of futility.

The Cowboys and Eagles both still have a chance to secure the second seed and the coveted first round bye. Granted the road for the Cowboys is more tortuous relying on two road teams to win (Giants and the Packers at Arizona.)

With how the Saints have looked recently there is an even bet the NFC Championship game could be played in any of four cities. Even without the second seed available the Cowboys still have a chance to win the Eastern Division and host a Wildcard Game.

The Eagles, however, have more to play for and the momentum of a six game winning streak behind them.

Here's how I see it:

Vikings 24  Giants 23

The Vikings win, but not convincingly. The ground games continues to struggle and the Vikes win it with a late field goal.

Eagles 38  Cowboys 22

One win in December does not erase Tony Romo's late season woes. The Eagle defense forces a couple of early turnovers and the Eagles cruise to victory.

Eagles secure the first round bye and the Vikings host the Cowboys.