The Vikings can bless the Saints for their work this season.
On Monday Night Football two months ago, somehow the Saints managed to blow a game to the 1-3 Vikings 30-27. the win was the start of Minnesota's current 5-2 run. Back on MNF, the Saints helped the Vikings again by downing the Packers 51-29 to get above .500 at 6-5 and are back to within two games of NFC South leaders Carolina and Tamba Bay (8-3).
The Pack fell to 5-6, one game behind Both the Vikings and the Bears in the NFC North. With teams like Dallas (7-4), Washington (7-4), Atlanta (7-4), and the aforementioned two-way tie at 8-3 between the Panthers and the Buccaneers, it looks like the North won't have a wild card team. Throw in the fact that the Bears and Vikings play this week and the Bears and the Pack play in Chicago in week 16, the way to the playoffs is through a division title.
A Viking victory against the Bears gives the Purple the inside track to hosting a playoff game, possibly against an opponent with a better record. But keep in mind week 16 last season: Beat the 'Skins and we're in... to have a win-and-in game at the Dome and then play possibly the worst game of the season tells you something about the team.
New season, similar situation. But every Chicago and Green Bay loss can help Minnesota back-door their way into the playoffs. Whether they are on of the NFC's six best teams will be decided in the next five weeks.
