When ranking teams according to their all-time winning percentages, the Minnesota Vikings are fourth overall in the NFL and have the highest within the NFC north.  They also appeared in one-third of the first twelve Super Bowls.  So what’s stopping the Minnesota Vikings from being considered one of the NFL’s most prestigious franchises?

They are 0 and 4 in their four Super Bowl appearances — their last one being Super Bowl XII in 1977 — and are ranked 25th out of 32 teams in postseason winning percentage. Maybe they wouldn’t choke so much if they chewed their breakfasts more prior to their postseason games.

The odds-makers are singing a different tune this year (these are the people who make a living off of wagering large, difficult bets backed by their large crystal cajones). The Vikings are currently tied for second with the New Orleans Saints (+400) to win Super Bowl XLIV, only trailing Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts (+300).

"So You're Saying There's a Chance...."

With the NFC North Division practically already won — sorry Packers fans, there is always next season — many are already trying to put together the postseason puzzle.

Although upsets are always possible, some people are already drooling over a Vikings/Saints NFC Championship Game with the winner playing the favored Colts out of the AFC for the Super Bowl XLIV title.

Ruling out Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, and the rest of the present-day Purple People Eaters from a potential Super Bowl XLIV Title would be foolish. Every passing week brings that closer to reality.

1)  The unstoppable force against the immovable object.
The 49ers bring Frank Gore, who is rushing for 5.2 yards per carry, to Lambeau against a stubborn Packers rush defense that ranks 4^th in the NFL.

To date the Packers have shown impressive performances against the likes of Adrian Peterson (3.0 yards per rush in the two games against the ViQueens), the Cowboys running back trio (61 yards), as well as stout efforts against the Bears, Lions, Bucs and Browns.

If the Packers are able to take away the 49ers run game, it will force one of the worst quarterbacks in the league, Alex Smith, to throw the ball more.

2) Will lightning strike twice for San Francisco?
Last week against the Bears, the 49ers forced Jay Cutler to throw 5 INTs. They did this by taking away the run and forcing the Bears to become one-dimensional as Cutler threw the ball 52 times.

In one of the ugliest games of this year’s NFL season, the 49ers won 10-6 solely because of all the turnovers. Even though A-Rodge doesn’t throw picks like Cutler, if the 49ers force the Pack to stop running the ball, Rodgers will be taking hits all day, resulting in another ugly game.

If Green Bay is able to keep some balance however, it will be a long day for the 49ers’ secondary, who will be missing its best player, Nate Clemens.

3) Bringing the heat on D.
Against Dallas last week, the Pack forced Tony Romo to run for his life. After a terrible performance against Tampa Bay the previous week, the defense rebounded by recording a season-high 5 sacks and countless pressures on the Burlington, WI native.

The 3-4 defense looked like the defense that we thought we would eventually see. The question is: Was that just a one-week aberration, or has Dom Capers realized that blitzing is essential to the Pack’s success?

Also, will having Aaron Kampman back in the lineup help or hurt? His replacement, Brad Jones, did a great job of pressuring the QB and covering the flat last week. We’ll find out Sunday how the D responds.

4) Me, because I’ll be at the game!

Go Pack!

A few months ago many Vikings fans thought Head Coach Brad Childress’ job was in jeopardy. Sure, the Vikings did win the NFC North last year with a 10-6 record. But they lost in the first round of the playoffs with a dominant defense and running game. Fan sentiment in the Twin Cities was that the Vikings needed a new Head Coach to get them over the hump of mediocrity.

Then a young whipper-snapper named Brett Favre came along. OK, maybe he’s not so young anymore. But 10 weeks into the NFL season, 40 year-old Brett Favre has the Vikings off to an 8-1 start and a commanding lead in the NFC North division.

Brad Childress’ ass four months ago:  Definitely on the Hot Seat

Brad Childress’ ass right now:  Quite Possibly on a Gold Toilet Seat

Financial terms have yet to be officially disclosed, but ESPN is reporting that the deal is between $4 and $5 million a year through the 2013 season (for the sake of comparison, the Packers’ Mike McCarthy is signed on through the 2012 season for about $4 million a year).

Why was Childress on the Hot Seat, you ask? Well, we could go for hours on that topic. But here is a microcosm of Vikings fans’ frustrations from the past few years under Childress:

3rd Down & 9.
Handoff to Adrian Peterson Off Tackle.
7-Yard Gain.
Vikings Punt.

Isn’t it funny what a good Quarterback can do for a Head Coach? Despite having one of the best defenses in the league (no question best defensive line) and easily the best Running Back in the league, the Vikings could only go so far without a decent Quarterback.

While frustration over Childress’ conservative offensive play-calling of years past is certainly understandable, it is also very misguided. What, besides the best Running Back tandem in the league (Chester Taylor would be starting for the Packers), is a coach supposed to lean on when he has no legitimate Quarterback?

Which brings me to my next question. How much of Childress’ new contract is he forking over to #4 for essentially saving his ass?

"Chili, give me your wife for one night and we'll call it even"