Randy Moss Traded to the Minnesota Vikings: How This Impacts the NFC North

According to sources in a story posted on ESPN.com this morning, Pro Bowl wide receiver Randy Moss has been traded by the New England Patriots to the Minnesota Vikings for a third-round pick.

So what does this mean to division rivals Chicago and Green Bay (sorry Detroit)?

Moss is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Vikes, the "doctor" in this case being Brett Favre.

For one, it will keep Favre interested (there had been idle chat about him quitting if things didn't improve), and more importantly it gives him a target he has confidence in.

Moss is the kind of receiver that can go deep or in the slot and can work on a slant pattern. In short, he is the perfect receiver for a gunslinger like Favre.

According to ESPN, "Randy Moss reportedly had a confrontation with coach [Bill] Belichick following the Dolphins game." But that doesn't mean he will be a bad clubhouse character with the Vikes, as he has kept his nose relatively clean lately, though he was disgruntled at times last year over his contract.

He's a game-changing receiver, and his presence meant Wes Welker and the Patriots' rookie tight ends were open more often. He keeps defenses honest and is one of the best deep threats in the NFL.

It's been no secret that Favre has not had confidence in any of his receivers this season, as he openly campaigned for Vincent Jackson. Thus, the arrival of Moss should improve his confidence, and the team knows its management is committed to winning now.

Meanwhile, they smell blood. The previously unbeaten Chicago Bears have stumbled, and despite a weak opponent this week in Carolina they have not looked dominant despite their 3-1 record. Remember, the Bears also started last season at 3-1.

Even the Green Bay Packers, who were the boutique pick by many so-called experts to go the Super Bowl this year, have had their flaws exposed. They almost lost to the Detroit Lions last Sunday.

Also, word is that Packers GM Ted Thompson refused to part with a third-round pick of his own to acquire the tailback they need, which has to make their players wonder where the priorities are.

The Vikings players, however, have no such concerns. They know they are expected to win and win now.

The Vikings brass senses that the division is up for grabs, so they figure they may as well grab it by the throat.

Now, it is true that Moss is going into the final year of his contract and has only nine receptions through four games this season. But is it his fault they only threw to him one time on Monday night against the Dolphins?

Perhaps it was his fault if he wasn't getting open. I'd have to look at game film to know for sure. Still, with a deep threat like Moss, why wouldn't you at least try to get the ball to him more often?

In the short term, both Moss and Favre should be highly motivated to make this thing work, since this may be Favre's last season and Moss wants an extension.

It was a good move by the Vikings to not immediately give Moss an extension, as history shows he plays well when motivated. In his first game with New England, he caught nine passes for 183 yards. In his first game with the Raiders he amassed 130 yards, and with Minny in 1998 he had almost 100 yards and two TDs.

The timing couldn't be more perfect for this trade to happen. Moss has had some terrific moments on Monday Night Football, and the Vikes just happen to be playing on Monday night this week against the Jets.

In nine games on MNF, Moss has almost 1,000 yards and 11 TDs.

The Sunday night debacle against the Giants has left Bears fans wondering about their future. We don't yet know if Jay Cutler is going to start against Carolina and whether the offensive line can play better to keep him upright.

All in all, this move makes perfect sense for Minnesota and comes at just the right time to make a solid impact on the division.