Minnesota Vikings (8-7) at Denver Broncos (6-9), 3:15pm

Pre-game

As Howard Cosell might have said, “It all comes down to this.”

The Vikings shouldn’t be in this spot. Then again, would they even be the Minnesota Vikings if they didn’t toy with our emotions like this? Two games decide this team’s fate. One takes place at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium, always a difficult place to get a road win. The other, in our nation’s capital where the Redskins, if they beat the Brad Johnson-led Dallas Cowboys, earn the final NFC spot, regardless of what happens in Colorado.

Think helpless. Think wrong. We have to cheer for Brad Johnson again.

Makes one wish the team would have showed up last Sunday and not just mailed it in when facing a team playing with a lot of emotion compounded by the death of one of their players.

The situation is too bad for a lot of reasons. By all accounts the Vikings have over achieved this season. Very few fans would have predicted Minnesota would battle for the post season up until the last game of the regular season. 6-10, or maybe 8-8 was a realistic guess for a squad with a new quarterback, virtually no quality receiving options and a secondary with a shaky track record. But during a lot of games it didn’t matter, great line play combined with a star in the backfield and minimizing mistakes was enough down the stretch and surprised this fan. The whole scenario this afternoon in Denver and DC stinks. A win for the Skins or a loss by the Vikings will sweep all the surprises under the rug.

Of course if Brad Johnson has it in him and the Vikings take care of business...

Such is the life of a Minnesota Vikings fan.

Minnesota 3, Denver 14
Dallas 3, Washington 13

Hafltime

This was a half of missed opportunities. Whether it was Chester Taylor losing control of the ball while reaching for the pylon (worst rule in the NFL by the way) resulting in a touchback, or a Wide open (with a capital W) Troy Williamson dropping a long pass from Tarvaris Jackson that would have resulted in 6 points, the first half of football today continued the very poor play of the Vikings.

Add to this the fact that Washington is looking like their headed to Seattle next week with a strong first half against Dallas, a score every Vikings player is peeking at on the Denver scoreboard, and this could be long second half.

The Vikes look tired, slow and resigned to an extended vacation. If they don’t turn things around in the last thirty minutes, that’s exactly what’s awaiting them.

Minnesota 19, Denver 22 (OT)
Dallas 6, Washington 27
Washington clinches a playoff berth

Post-game

The dream is over. The season was doomed by halftime of the week 16 contest versus Washington. Opportunities are few and far between in the National Football League, and when you’re presented one at home, an inability to capitalize will be quickly snatched up by the next team down the line.

Today’s game was not pretty. Very few games this season were. Adrian Peterson had the opportunity to capture the league’s rushing title but for some reason did not play the 1st quarter and had only 11 carries in the game. (This would be my first question to coach Brad Childress after the game.) Chester Taylor ran well, but cost the team with two fumbles. The passing game was quiet until the fourth quarter and we saw two terrible drops by former #7 overall draft pick Troy Williamson who will hopefully be shown the door after another disappointing season of an uninspiring career.

In true Vikes fashion, hope was this team’s greatest undoing.

One final note (and I might be crazy, but) I’m cautiously excited about Tarvaris Jackson as the Vikings quarterback. At times he has you scratching your head saying, “What the hell is he doing in the NFL?” But other moments, like the 4th quarter of today’s game against the Broncos, he makes sense. He obviously has a tremendous amount of confidence in his ability. A confidence that will sometimes cause him to make a throw into coverage or from his back foot but also is necessary in this league to make the big play.

Jackson is a second year player and certainly needs more time to develop into the quarterback the Vikings need. Perhaps if the Vikings can pick up a quality receiver, his options and game will improve.

Remember, when there’s nothing left to believe in, believe in hope.

Gopher’s men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith chose a pretty big stage from which to send his latest unsubtle message to the University. In the last paragraph of a fluffy article in Wednesday’s New York Times preciously entitled “Few Expectations but More Enjoyment,” Smith was quoted this way:

How much longer can you play in the Barn? I know it’s sacrilegious to mention that, but it’s going to be 80 years old next year. How many 80-year-old buildings are still being played in? I’m sure it’s a long-term project, but what do you do in the meantime? We can’t play here forever. For now, we can make this a great environment, which it has been in the past.

(Incidentally, the piece contains a hilarious and depressing peak at the pre-feminist world of coaching marriages. The Times precedes a quote by Smith’s wife, Donna, by saying, “Donna Smith said the change had been good for both of them. [Italics mine] ‘He looks better,’ she said. ‘He’s having more fun. He’s more relaxed, and he loves what he’s doing.’" Sure sounds like they’re “both” really enjoying themselves.)

The end of a calendar year is a time for reflection. The regular season ends this Sunday on the road against the Broncos in a gotta have game. But before we're cursing at every thing any shade of purple or rationalizing a possible road to the Super Bowl XLII, let's look back on a particularly inconsistent year(even by the Vikes' standard) for everyone's favorite football franchise.

10. Zygi Wilf rattling his saber threatening the fans with his demands for a new stadium.

Taxpayers hold on to your wallets, the sky is falling and a brand new stadium is the only cure. How long before the dreaded word “relocation” rears its ugly head?

9. Scrooge (almost) came a little early this year.

Initially, wide receiver Troy Williamson was docked a game check for missing the San Diego Chargers game while attending his grandmother’s funeral. The national media caught wind and soon everyone had a bad taste in their mouths. Coach Brad Childress fortunately came to his senses before the situation was completely out of hand and returned the check. Williamson went on to donate the $25,000 to charity.

8. Innocent until proven guilty?

Vikings safety Dwight Smith was busted for allegedly possessing a small amount of marijuana outside of a strip club on a Thursday night. The best part is that he apparently admitted he had “just got done smoking some marijuana.” Indeed.
7. Can you spell choke?
The loss to the Washington Redskins with a spot in the postseason within grasp was disappointing for more than one reason. This was just a terrible game that gave Redskins’ Todd Collins the biggest Christmas gift of all – a sense of legitimacy. The holiday season is the time for generosity, but Todd Collins? Really?
6. Pro Bowl-a-Rama!

An incredible seven Minnesota Vikings named to the 2007 NFC Pro Bowl Team. Not since 2000 has Minnesota sent so many to Honolulu. Four lineman: Kevin and Pat Williams, Steve Hutchinson, and Matt Birk anchor the Vikings representatives. Darren Sharper, Fullback Tony Richardson, and to no one’s surprise, rookie phenom running back Adrian Peterson will all be headed west as well.
5. The improbable five game winning streak propels the Vikes into contention for a wild card berth.
With wins over the Raiders, Giants, Lions, 49ers, and the Bears had Vikings fans everywhere excited about a team actually exceeding expectations. Usually it works the other way around.
4. Ouch, and double ouch.
An embarrassing 34-0 crushing loss to the hated Green Bay Packers. The game wasn’t the only loss in this day. Adrian Peterson left the game after taking a shot to the knee. It was said the collective gasp coming from the west was heard inside of Lambeau.
3. Old relible steadies the ship.

Chester Taylor picking up the team and fans with a 164 yard performance against the Raiders. The team needed a shot in the arm after the previous week’s loss in Green Bay (see above) and a loss at home to the lowly Raiders might have sunk the season for good.
2. Adrian Peterson brushing aside the NFL single game rushing mark.
The San Diego Chargers didn’t have an answer for “All Day” as he rushed for 296 yards and 3 scores on 30 carries. The day AP officially arrives.
1. April 28, 2007.
It’s hard to top #2 but with the 7th pick in the NFL Draft, the Vikings grabbed the rookie of the year and made the team exciting to watch again. Few knew the success Adrian Peterson would have his first year but everyone hopes it continues for many years. Happy New Year Vikes fans!

I'm a fan of Jeff Pearlman for a lot of reasons -- he's the guy who brought the real John Rocker to public attention, for example, although I'm sure he's sick of being remembered that way. His new column for ESPN skewers that most eyeroll-worthy of sports cliches, the notion of the "real man."

The story is insightful and thought-provoking, although I think it's a bit underdeveloped in its current form and would benefit from a larger treatment in a 3,000-word think piece. How do we define masculinity, and what does that definition say about us? How can the Falcons (correctly) revile Bobby Petrino for his lack of loyalty, but look the other way when Mike Vick tortures and kills animals? When does this positive quality, allegiance to one's mates, descend into evil? And what does that tell us about culturally mandated gender roles?

But that's taking away from the fundamental revelation of the story: Peter Warrick now works at Applebee's.

That's right. A throwaway line from the story informs us that the erstwhile wide receiver, once arrested for shoplifting, is now Vice President and CEO in Charge of Blackened Tilapia Sandwiches.

Actually, according to Wikipedia, he owns the Applebee's, and I don't know which report is right. Either way, there's a big gap between being the fourth pick in the draft and having stoned teenagers inform you that their Maple Butter Blondie is melting, and hence they aren't paying for it.

To be fair, this is a small indignity compared to having one's high school rat-tail shaved by the Florida State seniors, or indeed having said rat-tail in the first place.

Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings, 7:30pm

Pre-game

Joe Gibbs puts his smug 8-1 record against the Vikes on the line tonight.

It was nearly 20 years ago when the Minnesota Vikings, after improbably defeating the heavily favored New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, traveled to Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium to play the Washington Redskins in the 1987 NFC Championship game. The game came down to the final play of the game and the dream ended when Wade Wilson’s pass was broken up by the Skins’ Darrell Green near the goal line for a heartbreaking 10-17 loss. Washington went on to defeat the Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.

Tonight’s match-up is a different. The Redskins come into the Metrodome tonight in an attempt to hold on to their slim playoff hopes. Washington will be eliminated tonight with a loss and this improbable Vikings team can clinch the final wild card berth with the victory thanks to a New Orleans loss. The Redskins and Vikings have very similar styles of play. They feature a two-headed running attack in Clinton Portis (1085 yds, 8 TD) and Ladell Betts (285 yds, 1 TD). Washington also prides itself on stopping the run with the 9th ranked rushing defense, allowing 98 yards a game. But as opponents have found out all year, the Minnesota Vikings, via the Williams Wall, force teans to beat them with the pass and usually find a way to move the chains with their record setting backs Adrian Peterson (1278 yds, 12 TD) and Chester Taylor (747 yds, 7 TD). Unfortunately for the Skins if they can’t run that means relying on Todd Collins.

I’d take Tarvaris any day.

Minnesota should be playing like the season is on the line tonight. The Dome should be rocking in the second consecutive prime time game for a team who six weeks ago was left for dead at 3-6. It’s been quite a ride so far. No one wants it to end now.

Finally, I leave you with a commercial that first aired during that game in 1987. Who knew Joe Piscopo was a Skins fan? With fans like that, who needs enemies?

Washington 22, Minnesota 0

Halftime

Ugliest half of football this season, and that’s saying a lot.

It’s clear which players showed up for the game tonight, and not one of them is wearing a purple and gold jersey. You’d swear that a playoff berth wasn’t on the line. Incredible.

Coaching shares a lot of the blame so far. If there’s nine men in the box, then it’s a good idea to pass. And what about the idea of mixing up the run game a bit? Screens, or delays, or ANYTHING other than a very predictable run up the middle. The interception was tough, but the coaching staff has to rally the troops, keep them calm and focused.

It’s downright embarrassing to be in a very crowded sports bar and your team lays an egg. 70 yards and 3 turnovers are not going to get it done.

To top it off, John Madden just uttered, “Doesn’t it seem like the Redskins are playing harder than the Vikings.” Even that senile ol’ bastard knows the score of this game.

Bench Jackson. He’s obviously flustered and isn’t capable of leading us back. But I’m not sure if a Brooks or a Kelly is able to do that either. All I know is we need points and we need them fast. At least we’re only down 22.

I'm bracing myself with booze for this second half.

Washington 32, Minnesota 21

Post-game

We didn’t deserve to clinch the 6th spot tonight. This is one of those games where the score belies the actual contest.

The Vikings gave this one away in the first half. Minnesota is not a team designed for a big second half comeback and it couldn’t be more evident tonight. The playoffs were in reach, but this team chose- yet again- to make it interesting heading into week 17.

I can’t begin to tell you how hard it is to sit and listen to Washington fans cheer (rightly so) the terrible play of the Vikings today.

It’s hard to understand how this team allows a team to rush for 105 yards while only putting up 81 yards themselves. At home no less. Peterson looked tentative. The secondary was porous to say the least and Minnesota made Todd Collins look good (22/29, 254 yds, 2 TD). Where is the team that we watched the last month and a half?

Next week the Vikes travel to Colorado to “see what happens” I guess. If the Skins win at home versus Dallas (in a game that means nothing to the Cowboys) then it doesn’t matter what the Vikings do, win or lose. The season will be over, the five game winning streak will be for not and the questions will swirl about what’s next for a team with some bright spots but areas that need immediate addressing if this team is to compete against the likes of the NFL elite.

This game was nearly as embarrassing as this:

Mikey Hates It

I have a distinct memory of, in a pickup game at my rural college, getting viciously schooled by a skinny, quiet 12-year-old local kid who probably (and quite rightly) knew he would find easy pickings among us hungover, pizza-fed undergrads. With his gangly frame and summer camp good looks, the Pacers’ Mikey Dunleavy has always reminded me of that kid, with a touch of the pampered east coast Brahmin thrown in for good measure (and taller, and better at basketball). So I felt personally vindicated when Sebastian Telfair shook Dunleavy with one of the filthiest crossovers I’ve ever seen. Bassie set him up with two between-the-leg dribbles followed by a little hesitation/shake with his head and right shoulder. When Telfair then explosively crossed ball over to his left, Dunleavy performed an amazing little partially reclined, one-legged wobble and could only catch a glimpse over his shoulder as Telfair finished at the rim with a pretty left-handed scoop.

It's Thursday evening, and Thursday is the sickly stepcousin of Friday. Skies are gray. It is the next-shortest day of the year. My attorney calls me up. This, as anyone with an attorney can tell you, is rarely good news.

This is about the poop figures, isn't it? I say. If we're getting sued over that, I'm legally changing my name to Chadus Rigsborik and moving to Slovakia.

"Oh hell no," he intones. "I've got Wild tickets. Good tickets. I know people who know people." In addition to keeping me out of legal trouble, on occasion he plays the role of my muse. I've been in town six weeks, and haven't been to an NHL game. I'm sniffing at the promise of the night, and I catch the hockey-tinged scent of awesome. Let's light this candle.

The Wild's anthem, "State of Hockey," begins to play just as we hit our seats. There are scattered attendees singing along to the inspirational ditty.

"You know," my attorney offers, "that song has precisely the same meter as Edward Lear's poem 'The Owl and the Pussycat.'" After just a few bars of the anthem, I realize instantly that lawyer boy is right. Watch this clip, and you will, too:

Awash in liquid inspiration, my attorney begins to sing along:

'O lovely Pussy! O Pussy my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!'

Like I said: muse. But people are staring now, so it's already time to change seats for a while. "This way," he suggests. "I know a bartender that'll get us free beers." You had me at free beers.

Warriors 111, Wolves 98
Season Record: 3-21

The top half of Antoine Walker’s courtside attire Wednesday night consisted of a natty, form-fitting, four-button sports coat over a crisp dress shirt. The effect was sharp and sleek. Perhaps even a hair imposing. This was in grotesque contrast to his pants: Zubaz-like in their bagginess, just different enough a shade of brown from the top to trigger a violent clash, and embodying that intangible sort of terrible that makes one yearn to look away even as ones stares, helpless and horror-struck, into the void as it overtakes one’s soul.

Toine’s outfit was a fitting metaphor for the team’s effort in Wednesday night’s loss to the ever-exciting Golden State Warriors.

Pi Press sports gossip Charley "Shooter" Walters has this nugget in today's column:

The Timberwolves, 3-21 this season after a 111-98 loss to Golden State on Wednesday, are on pace to become the NBA's all-time worst team. That 61-year distinction currently belongs to the Philadelphia 76ers, who finished 9-73 in the 1972-73 season.

Which is somewhat interesting, but not quite accurate. Elementary math will tell you that the squad currently has a winning percentage of 12.5 percent. Over an entire 82-game season this works out to 10 victories--one better than the storied 1972-73 76ers! Show the team some respect Shooter.

Chicago Bears (5-8) at Minnesota Vikings (7-6), Monday night -7:30pm

Pre-game

Dare I say, “Are you ready for some football?”

The winter just doesn’t seem so bad when the Vikings are above .500 come the ides of December. The air doesn’t have quite the bite when your team is on a 4 game winning streak, play 2 of their last 3 games at home, and winning the remaining games guarantees a playoff spot for the purple. Weeks 15, 16, and 17 are tailor-made for two types of NFL teams. First they are for the winning teams, to establish positioning while gathering momentum; to brush the weaker teams aside to the links in Florida and Arizona. These weeks are also for the spoiler teams. Those teams with nothing to lose so they suit up and get excited for the only thing left for them to hang their hat on.

I only include the above for the reverse jinx.

Things in the NFC playoff race tightened up a lot between Thursday and yesterday. Up top, Dallas lost and is clinching to the tiebreaker they hold over Green Bay for home field advantage throughout the post season. In the wild card race, the New York Giants continue to look like the worst 9-5 team you’d every want to root for. And while Arizona dropped a game, both New Orleans and Washington at 7-7 are very much alive and keeping the pressure on Minnesota.

Tonight’s game is an opportunity for the Vikings to prove to the rest of the league a number of things. One, that they are going to earn a wild card spot. Two, that whether Adrian Peterson or Chester Taylor runs the ball, you must pay attention to Minnesota’s running attack. Three, that focusing on the Vikes’ running game isn’t going to be enough to beat this team. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is coming into his own and has this team believing in him. Finally, it is a chance for the Minnesota Vikings to show the rest of the NFC that this squad is a winner and you don’t want to face them come January unless you’re itching to play some golf.

Post-Game

Chicago 13, Minnesota 20 Final

Only 78 yards today but 2 touchdowns for All Day.

It was all about the purple pants. For the first time since the 1964 season when the Detroit Lions brought only their whites to a game*, the Vikes went all purple for a game. It’s a good look, especially on the likes of Pat Williams.

The Vikings prevailed in this game tonight either because their defense held the Bears to just 209 total yards on offense, a miniscule 32 on the ground; or because Kyle Orton and the Bears offense are hard to look at. Literally. It’s not like the Vikings didn’t provide da Bears with da opportunity for the win with 4 turnovers leading to 10 points in the first half.

Tarvaris Jackson wore his inexperience on his sleeve tonight making multiple poor decisions while under constant pressure from the Chicago defense specifically Brian Urlacher who had a monster game. This week Brad Childress and the coaching staff must address the problems poor QB play leads to, and stress the importance to Jackson of taking the sack when necessary or throwing the ball away if no receiver is open. Jackson made things way too interesting tonight.

Like Ted Knight and Jm J. Bullock, this game was a little Too Close for Comfort.

The 8-6 Vikings will now host the Washington Redskins next Sunday night, the second of their back-to-back prime-time contests in the game of the season. The Skins are on the outside looking in and would like nothing more than to snap the Vikings 5 game winning streak and pull even with Minnesota for the last remaining playoff spot.

*Fact kindly provided by the ever-wise Ryan Walters.