Vikings Must Put Distractions Behind and Focus on Detroit

The Minnesota Vikings (7-5) have won six of their last eight games, and none of their wins during that time were bigger than last Sunday's 34-14 thumping of the Chicago Bears. For the first time Minnesota fans could go to bed on a Sunday night knowing that their team finally fired on all cylinders. It's just too bad that they had to wait until week 13 to see it.

Alright enough reflection. This week has brought the type of distraction that Brad Childress was brought in to calm.

Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams (a.k.a. "The Williams Wall" or "The Wall") were suspended for the final four games of the season for using a weight loss supplement that contained a banned substance under the league's drug policy. This week an injuction was sought on behalf of the players which has translated into a hearing today on whether or not the players involved should be suspended.

With all this action off the field, the Vikings have to start focusing on their next opponents, the 0-12 Detroit Lions. While most in Minnesota think this game should be a cake walk, some "experts" think that this game is the Lions' last chance to avoid an 0-12 season.

Now let me squelch any opportunity to say this is an indictment on the legitimacy of the Minnesota Vikings' division-leading 7-5 season. Many think that Green Bay is still far and away the best team. However, the Packers currently sit two games behind the Minnesota Vikings with losses to teams the Vikings beat.

While many may think this off-field distraction couldn't have come at a better week, the Vikings have a lot more to lose than they have to gain with a loss against the Motor City Kitties in Detroit.

First, no one wants to be "that" team that gave the Lions their sole win en route to a 1-15 season. Second, a loss and a Bears win propels them back into a virtual tie for the division once again. Finally, the Vikings do not want to take a loss into what is surely the hardest final three games in the NFL this year (away to Arizona, and home for the Falcons and Giants).

It's my belief that Childress and his staff will have his guys fired up to improve to 8-5 and start putting a strangle hold on the division. There shouldn't be a letdown against the 0-12 Detroit Lions, but if any team is capable of this size of disappointment it would be the Minnesota Vikings.

I watched a quarter and a half of the Lions' attempt at competing with the Titans on Thanksgiving Day. I don't think I have seen a more horrible NFL team in my short 24 years. Not only did they lose talent in Roy Williams, they have no direction, no unity and no fire. I think the latter had to do with their 12-10 last-second field goal loss at the hands of the Vikings back in week six.

Chomp on these numbers. In their Thanksgiving loss, the Detroit Lions gave up 292 yards on the ground on 46 carries by the Titans. I know of a certain NFL leading rusher who is coming to town on Sunday and I am sure he is licking his chops to run behind Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie. I'd expect to see Peterson touch the ball close to 30 times with Chester Taylor filling in quite a bit.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Titans shut the former Viking Daunte Culpepper and the Lions down. While the Titans defense may just be a slight bit better than the Vikings, any difference in marginal. Let's face it, this game should be a blowout. The current line has the Vikings as a 10-point favorite with the over/under sitting at 46.

If the Vikings need any added motivation, here is something for them to think about. A win propels them to 8-5 and one step closer to a playoff appearance. Their first playoff appearance since 2004.

The Bears and Packers both have to go 4-0 to have a shot at the playoffs. The Vikings have to think that two wins out of these last four games should get them into the playoffs, albeit with a 9-7 record.

All they have to do is beat the awful Detroit Lions by a point to get to 8-5 which would give them a shot at a 10-6 record.

Prediction: Vikings 42-10