Minnesota Vikings: Can The Win Over Arizona Provide The Springboard To Success?

The Minnesota Vikings' 27-24 OT victory over the Arizona Cardinals felt a lot like their dramatic win over the San Francisco 49ers in week 3 of 2009. 

I'm always looking at the symmetry of situations as a prediction of what's to come. 

In 2009 against San Francisco Favre threw the ball 46 times to seven different receivers in scoring 14 second half points. 

In 2010 against the Cardinals he threw the ball 47 times to eight different receivers, again scoring 14 points in the second half, before Longwell kicked the game-winning field goal in over time.

Adrian Peterson ran for 85 yards in the win over the 49ers, and 81 yards against Arizona. 

The score of both games—Vikings 27, Visitors 24.

The 2010 Vikings are currently sitting at 3-5 at the midpoint of their season.

After the dramatic comeback in week 3 of 2009, the Vikings went 7-1. 

Could there be another 7-1 run for this year's team?

Here's my attempt to compare the two situations and arrive at a prediction. 

Vikings Schedule Following The Dramatic Metrodome Win!

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 05: Defensive end Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings pumps up the crowd during the Monday Night Football game against the Green Bay Packers on October 5, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo

Following the win over the San Francisco 49ers, the Vikings would win seven of their eight games including two over the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions.

The final combined winning percentage of their next eight opponents in 2009 was only .429—Green Bay had the best record of the bunch at 11-5.

In 2009 they swept the Packers and Lions, but ended up splitting with the Bears.

The Packers already won at Lambeau in Week 7 this year 28-24.

With two games remaining against the Bears and one each against the Packers and Lions, there is a chance for the Vikings to end up with the same division record as last year.

The winning percentage of the Vikings' remaining 2010 schedule is significantly better at .508.

With games remaining against the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, a 7-1 finish does not look promising.  

Competition Against Playoff Teams

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings tries to break free of a tackle during the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 25, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Vik

The only stumble the Vikings had in their eight games following the 49er victory came at Pittsburgh in Week 7.

The Steelers' defense would score two fourth quarter touchdowns that would seal their 27-17 win.

The difference in the game was the 77-yard fumble return and an 82-yard interception return, on a ball that bounced off Chester Taylor's hands.

The Steelers were one of four teams that would make the playoffs in 2009. 

Including the two wins over the Packers and a 33-31 victory over Baltimore, when Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka missed a 44-yard field goal with no time left, the Vikings went 3-1 against playoff teams in their 7-1 streak.

Their last eight games in 2010 includes only two playoff teams from last year—Green Bay and Philadelphia, who look poised to make a return trip to the post season. 

However, the Giants, currently at 6-2, look be a contender to make the playoffs.

Add the 5-3 Bears and the 4-4 Washington Redskins there is a potential for six of their last eight games to have playoff implications for 2010.

Home Sweet Home

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders perform during a game against the Detroit Lions at Mall of America Field on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

In 2009 the Vikings went 8-0 at home.

So far in 2010 they are still finding it easier to win at the Metrodome with a 3-1 record.

The problem is they have not won on the road since beating the Packers in Week 8 of 2009—a span of nine straight games including the NFC Championship game.

With four road games remaining the Vikings will have to turn around that trend in a big way starting this Sunday in Chicago where the Vikings lost 36-30 last December.

After the Bears they have road games remaining with Philadelphia, Washington, and Detroit.

In the eight games that followed their comeback victory over San Francisco they went 2-1.

This year the road will be a lot tougher.

Do The Minnesota Vikings Have The Luxury to Take Any Games Off?

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TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 07: David Nelson #86 of the Buffalo Bills takes a moment prior to playing the Chicago Bears at Rogers Centre on November 7, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

In 2009 the Vikings got the luxury to play against the 1-15 Rams, and the 2-14 Lions twice.

A quick scan of their remaining schedule has the Vikings hosting the Buffalo Bills, currently 0-8, and traveling to face the Detroit Lions. 

The Lions appear to be an improved team, winning two of their first eight games. But losing second-year quarterback Matthew Stafford to shoulder separation, that may end his season, does not bode well for Detroit.

The Lions do get to host the Bills in Week 10,  so one of these teams should end up with at least one more victory. This may be the only game the Bills have a shot of winning before facing the Vikings in Week 13.

The Win Over The 49ers Jump-Started The Vikings Offense in 2009

In the two games preceding the incredible comeback of 2009, the Vikings averaged only 287.5 yards of offense per game. Brett Favre and the Vikings' passing attack averaged only 119 yards.

In the eight games that followed, they cranked it up to a 417.2 yard average, and Favre did not throw for less than 244 yards in any game.

In the first seven games of 2010 the Vikings passing game has averaged only 197 yards.

With a career-best 446 passing yards against the Cardinals, has Favre finally found his groove?

Stop The Madness—When Will The Soap Opera End?

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GREEN BAY, WI - OCTOBER 24: Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during their game at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jim Prisching/Getty Images)

From the beginning it has been a three-ring circus for the Minnesota Vikings.

It started with sending Ryan Longwell, Steve Hutchinson, and Jared Allen on a private jet to woo Brett Favre out of retirement.

It continued with the whole Jenn Sterger sexting controversy in the week preceding the Jets game.

More drama was added with the signing of Randy Moss and then the sudden release after four games. 

Then came the heated "discussion" in practice between Childress and Percy Harvin on the Friday before the Cardinals game.

Can one win overcome so much drama and bring this team together?

Would so much of this drama been avoided if there had been miraculous comeback in Week 5 against the Jets?

Is there another 7-1 stretch awaiting for the 2010 Vikings?

Stay tuned for these these answers and more in the continuing saga of  The Days of Our Vikes. 

Looking Forward—Wrapping It All Up.

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Coach Brad Childress and Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings (rear) watch the action against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Whose team is this anyway?

If Brad Childress is to keep his job leading the Vikings, he must realize he needs Brett Favre more than Favre needs him.

Anything less than another deep playoff run could spell the end of the Childress era in Minnesota.

Currently at 3-5, the Vikings need to go 6-2 to close out the season for a chance to make the playoffs.

With four road games left on the schedule the Vikings will not go 7-1, or even 6-2.

Look for them to close out the season 5-3, finishing at 8-8. 

There will only be one game in January this season as the Vikings close out the regular season at Detroit on Sunday January 2nd.

The End of an Era

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 07: A Minnesota Vikings fan holds up a sign urging the firing of Vikings head coach rad Childress before the game with the Arizona Cardinals at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 7, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by

With no playoffs, many fans will get their wish.

2010 will be the end of the Brad Childress/Brett Favre era and 2011 could be the start of the Leslie Frazier/Joe Webb era.