Polar Opposites Meet In The Metrodome on Sunday

The Minnesota Vikings haven't played a single snap since roughly 7:30 PM Eastern Standard Time and yet we keep on winning.  Last night Jay Cutler (aka the Human Turnover Machine or the Gift That Keeps on Giving) gave us another gift.  With the Bears at 4-5 they stand 4.5 games behind the Vikings.  Of course we all remember the early Christmas present that Tampa gave us last week when they defeated the hated Pack.

If the Vikings can win on Sunday we would eliminate the Lions from contention for the division.  Assuming the Packers lose the next two games and we win against the Seahawks we would have eliminated the Packers from contention.  And of course if we can complete the cupcake home stretch sweep by beating the Bears we would eliminate the Bears.  So in the span of three weeks the Vikings could officially clinch the National Football Conference's North Division championship.  How sweet would that be.  Talk about a 180 from this time last year.  It's why I for once actually find myself in agreement with Colin Cowherd on something.  We both believe Favre should be the MVP if he holds up all the way through.  Even if Brees or Manning end up with better stats Favre has changed the culture of Minnesota.  I have always said that Vikings fans remind me of the pre-2004 Boston Red Sox fans, we're always waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Waiting for that one moment where our favorite sports franchise sticks the dagger in our hearts just a little bit more.  But now Favre we are confident.  We believe, no we know we can beat anybody.  Colts, Saints, Steelers, Patriots, we can play with all the big shots.  I am hoping that this will be a permenante lasting impression though (in typical Viking fan fashion) I am cynical and fear that it will leave when the Gunslinger finally hangs 'em up.

Oh yeah, there's a game this Sunday.  The overmatched and outgunned Detriot Lions will stumble there way into the Metrodump on Sunday to take on our beloved Vikings.  The Lions do have a few bright spots on their bleak radar though, most notably Megatron Calvin Johnson.  That guy is sick.  He is in my opinion hands down the best wide out in the game, period.  Look at the clowns, ehh quarterbacks he has had throwing him the ball: Dan "Oh no I am out of bounds, safety" Orlovsky, Drew Stanton, Daunte "way past my prime" Culpepper and the rookie Matthe Stafford.  Through that all he has been productive.  And I mean he is the only playmaker they have on that offense, I mean opposing teams just put 11 defensive backs on the field and they all cover him but he's still good for a stat line of 2 catches 89 yards and 1 touchdown.  He may only catch 25 passes all season by God he makes them count.

Basically the defensive strategy needs to be pressure the rookie into making rookie mistakes.  Throw the kitchen sink at Stafford, test that bum knee.  In the secondary, just cover CJ, forget about..um...well you know.. that other guy they have and cover CJ.

On offense, I'd really really really like this to be the game where we start to let Adrian Peterson take over the team again.  We need to keep Favre fresh for the stretch run.  But if we can't get the ground game established Favre shouldn't find it too difficult to exploit the Lions 31st ranked pass defense. 

Also, if we are so lucky to have a huge lead in the third quarter, SIT BRETT FAVRE.  The last thing I want to see happen is our Super Bowl aspirations flushed down the toilet because of a freak accident in a blowout against the Kitties.

This game is really kind of a bummer huh.  I mean over the past month and a half all of our games have been dripping with anticipation and drama. (Save the Rams game)  This game is lacking both of those qualities.  Though I am not sure my emotions can take too many more of those heart stoppers.  Please Vikings, do me a solid.  Just win this game and close it out strong.  I don't care if we win by 4 or 4 touchdowns as long as we close strong.  I want to seal the deal.  I want to see us rip their hearts out and watch Jared Allen eat them.  I'm pretty sure he would, just add a little Tabasco sauce and I bet he'd eat anything.  Seriously he's crazy.  I mean really Chilly, is that too much to ask for?

Oh, and one more thing, I am really really super glad the Vikings chose to forego on Jay Cutler.  I mean the kids on pace for 32 interceptions.  That's weird, I thought it was the Vikings who got the king of the interception or something.  I am also being told the Bears are 4-5.  Strange, I could have swore at the beginning of the season I heard ESPN trumpeting the Bears as strong Super Bowl contenders, completely ignoring Jay Cutler's sub .500 record as as starter.  Funny how things work out when we start to actually play the games instead of letting Skip Bayless decide how things are going to be. (Don't think I've forgotten about you Bayless and all your anti-Viking crap.  The Cowboys are the best team in the league?  Seriously?  Miles Austin is better than any receiver on our team?)

Well until next time you stay classy Bleacher Report.

Skol Vikings.