Vikings final four games
December 5, 2007 at 4:10AM
The Vikings' remaining schedule should not scare local fans: Week 14 Sunday, at San Francisco (3-9) The Niners are one of the NFC's weakest teams and lost 31-14 on Sunday at Carolina, which was previously winless at home. Week 15 MNF, home vs. Chicago (5-7) The Bears crumbled last week, giving up 14 fourth-quarter points to the Giants. If Devin Hester hadn't saved them a week earlier, they'd be 4-8. Week 16 Sunday Dec. 23, home vs. Washington (5-7) The losses on the football field don't compare to the big one off it. The Redskins are slipping, and they might be drained by Week 16. Week 17 Sunday Dec. 30, at Denver (5-7) Two weeks ago, the Broncos were 5-5 and had won two in a row. They've since ruined their buzz by losing in Chicago and Oakland. THE NFC RACE
DIVISION LEADERS
Dallas (East) 11-1 Green Bay (North) 10-2 Seattle (West) 8-4 Tampa Bay (South) 8-4 CONTENDERS
N.Y. Giants (E) 8-4 Arizona (W) 6-6 Detroit (N) 6-6 Vikings (N) 6-6 Carolina (S) 5-7 New Orleans (S) 5-7 Washington (E) 5-7 Philadelphia (E) 5-7 Chicago (N) 5-7 Tiebreaker info
If the playoffs started today, the Vikings -- tied with Arizona and Detroit at 6-6 for the final wild-card spot -- would be out. The three-team tiebreaker first requires identifying the better team within one division. Detroit and the Vikings split their series, but the Lions get the edge with a better division record. Arizona then eliminates Detroit because the Cards beat the Lions.
about the writer
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
