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The Minnesota Vikings went into the home of the AFC’s number one seed Houston Texans today and were some very rude guests. The defense held the potent Texans offense to just six points, the lowest total points by a Vikings opponent since early in the 2007 season. Special teams once again showed up in a HUGE way with stud rookie kicker Blair Walsh breaking the NFL single season record for most 50+ yard field goals made, Chris Kluwe had the Texans pinned deep in their own territory for what seemed like the whole game, and Marcus Sherels had some impressive return yards as well.

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This victory, along with losses by both the Giants and Cowboys, now means the Vikings control their own destiny.  It’s simple, beat the hated Green Bay Packers and they are in the playoffs. The division champion Packers will be playing to earn a first round bye as the NFC’s number two seed, so don’t expect to see them sitting any of their starters.

The last time these two teams faced off Adrian Peterson rushed for 212 yards in a losing effort at Lambeau field and Christian Ponder threw that devastating interception in the end zone. But the defense did a good job keeping Aaron Rodgers in check and the game was very manageable. If not for Ponders horrific day the Vikings would most likely have won that meeting. Now it appears that Ponder is getting back the confidence he had in the beginning of the season, having played a very efficient game against the Texans. If a QB is going to come out of a slump and get hot, this would be a great time of the year to do it. This game will also be played in Minneapolis, where the Vikings have had much better luck this year.

If the Vikes can get an early lead, as they did today, and control the clock with Adrian Peterson and some key first down completions by Ponder, they have a very good shot at winning this game. I think the defense as a whole, and especially the secondary are playing much better now than they were a few weeks ago, and that is key because the last thing we want is for the Vikings to fall behind and need to rely on the passing game to catch up. If that happen it’s curtains for this squad.

Well Viking fans, this is it. If someone would have told you at the end of last year that the team would be 9-6 and in control of a wild card spot after week 15 would you have believed them? We all have a lot to be happy about, I believe this team really has turned the corner, and I DO expect them to win this game and make it into the playoffs this year.

That’s all for now, SKOL! Oh, and as always…the Packers SUCK!

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-Jordan Nadel

Aug 30, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass during warmups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Aaron Rodgers in a 49ers jersey? It sounds crazy, but it could very well happen. Before you Packer fans get hysterical, let me clarify. There’s no rumor of Aaron being traded to San Francisco. So you can put away the razor blades now. Your hero will be in green-and-gold for a long time to come. Greg Jennings? That’s another story. But Rodgers, he’s definitely not going anywhere.

Here’s the real story on Aaron and the 49ers. It seems Rodgers is good friends with the R&B group Boyz II Men, who were very big in the ’90s (along with parachute pants, Alicia Silverstone and candy necklaces). Recently Rodgers asked his buds to sing the National Anthem for the season opener at Lambeau and they said they would do it, but only if Aaron would agree to a special stipulation: if the 49ers win the game, Aaron has to wear a Niners jersey all week.

Rodgers agreed. So now Aaron has extra incentive to beat San Francisco on Sunday. And we all have extra incentive to root for the Niners to crush the Packers. As if we needed it. Oh, and of course our old friend Randy Moss will be on the field for San Francisco. Is it all right to admit I’m more stoked for that game now than I am for Vikings-Jaguars?

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Jan 15, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws a pass in the second half of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field. The Giants won 37-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Our Best in the NFC North series continues with a look at quarterbacks. Who tops the list? No surprise…

1. Aaron Rodgers – Packers

Drew Brees may be the highest paid QB in all of football but he’s not the best. Whether we like it or not, that distinction belongs to the man currently running the show in Green Bay. Go ahead, try and find a negative on Rodgers. He wins. He puts up the numbers. He shows in the clutch. He already has the ring and might have made a run at a second ring last year had he not been let down by his hapless defense and droppy receivers. Okay, there’s one thing against him: He makes stupid commercials. But other than that, this guy’s resume is as air-tight as it gets. He deserves every accolade. And that frankly makes me sick.

2. Matthew Stafford – Lions

A couple years ago people were worried that Matthew Stafford would be a bust. Well look at him now, look at him now. Last year was the blossoming year for Stafford. Not only did his stats explode, but he led the Lions back to the playoffs after years in football purgatory. Of course he’s helped by the presence of Calvin Johnson, the Human Mismatch, but that doesn’t diminish Stafford’s achievements. The question now is, can Stafford and the Lions take the next step and earn the franchise’s first-ever Super Bowl berth? They should be in the mix. Unless everyone on the roster gets thrown in jail.

3. Jay Cutler – Bears

There’s a good argument to be made for Jay Cutler over Matthew Stafford, on pure talent if nothing else. I choose Stafford for one reason: character. Stafford to me feels like a solid leader-type, but Cutler? I’m not convinced. I think he pouts too much and I haven’t been impressed by the way he’s handled this offseason. He’s mostly said the right things about Mike Tice but I think he’s been a punk when discussing his offensive line. This seems like somewhat ungrateful behavior considering how much the Bears have bent over for this guy, firing Mike Martz, installing his pal Tice as the OC and bringing in his other pals Brandon Marshall and Jeremy Bates. The time has come for Cutler to grow up and lead by example. And by the way, I’m not one of those people who bashes Cutler for being a wimp. The heat he took after the NFC title game two years ago was ridiculous. I think Cutler’s tough enough. But is he smart enough and selfless enough? These are legit questions.

4. Shaun Hill – Lions

Look up “Professional Back-Up QB” in the dictionary and you’ll find a picture of Shaun Hill. Just a solid player who stays within himself, understands how to play the position and will never hurt you with dumb mistakes. He is the Steve DeBerg of our generation.

5. Jason Campbell – Bears

Campbell’s trying to put his career back together after a disastrous tenure in Oakland, and the Bears seem like the perfect spot for him. He’s on a team that has a chance to win and though the #1 QB is firmly established, the #1 QB is also playing behind a really horrid offensive line and is probably going to get hurt at some point. So Campbell knows he’s probably going to get a chance. The Bears were smart to bring in an established QB as a back-up after the mess with Caleb Hanie last year. It’s a good marriage.

Christian Ponder?

How are Shaun Hill or Jason Campbell better than Ponder? Simple. They’ve both proven themselves to some degree in the NFL, while Ponder has not. So objectively, I can’t say Ponder is better than either of those guys. Now, if you’re talking about who would be a better QB for the Vikings – for their specific situation which happens to be a rebuilding situation – I would take Ponder because he’s young and has a chance to be better than either of those guys. But as an overall objective proposition regardless of the specific circumstances of the team, sorry, I can’t rate Ponder above those guys at this point. He’s proven absolutely nothing.

Other guys to watch: Joe Webb. I’m circling week 10. By then Ponder will either be too banged-up to play or will get benched for being flat-out bad. And Webb will come in and the Vikings will still be lousy but at least they’ll be entertainingly lousy.

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