Nov 25, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) with the ball during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears won 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

As of right now the Vikings are on the outside looking in as far as the wild card spot. The Seattle Seahawks and the Packers have those two spots locked up right now with a better head-to-head record. The Vikings could’ve have thrown a wrench into things with a win over the Bears, but we all know what happen there. The Vikings have lucked out though. Out of all the teams competing for the wild card spots, none of them won. The Seahawks lost in to the Dolphins with a last second field goal. The Packers lost big on Sunday night against the Giants and the Tampa Bay buccaneers were handed a loss by the Falcons. With week 12 gone the NFC wild card spots are still locked up by the Packers and Seahawks. The good news is that the Vikings, Seahawks and Buccaneers now have a record of 6-5. If the Vikings were able to win yesterday they would be in the playoffs as of today. I still may be reaching for this season to continue, but they still do have a shot. The Vikings are getting help from other teams. The problem is they need to help themselves. Somebody on the team needs to step up and take the reigns. Week in and week out the Vikings are a team that isn’t sure whether they want to be good or just wait for someone else to do it for them. With a 2-1 record against divisional rivals, the Vikings are still in good shape to make noise. Next up is the Packers. The packers have only two rushing TD’s all season and are struggling with protecting Rodgers. The Bears take on the Seahawks and the Buccaneers play the Broncos. The Vikings could gain a game on the Seahawks and Bucs with a win against the Packers. Like I said, the Vikings are getting help from the league…they just need to help themselves.

Sep 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 26-23 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Making the Seahwaks one dimensional will be crucial for the Vikings success. The seahawks feature the second leading rusher, (behind AP) Marshawn Lynch. Not only will Lynch be bowling his way down field, but the Seahawks also have former Vikings receiver, Sidney Rice along with Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate. Those names didn’t mean much until Russell Wilson became their quarterback. The Vikings will either need to stop Lynch from doing what he has all year, which is break tackles for large runs, or stop Wilson’s passing attack. Wilson has had an impressive season thus far and is going to need to be pressured by the D-line. Wilson is also a mobile quarterback. We all remember what RG3 did to the Vikings defense with his legs and I’m sure it will not be over looked by the Vikings this week. As long as the Vikings can keep one part of the Seahawks game under control they will be able to take more chances. This game has huge implications as far as playoff spots are concerned. With San Francisco leading the NFC West and the Chicago Bears on top the NFC North games like these will determine who gets those wild card spots.

Sept. 9, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) drops the ball after being tackled in by an Arizona Cardinal defender in the first quarter against Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE

Two seasons ago the Seattle Seahawks acquired two former Viking players, Tavaris Jackson and Sidney Rice. At the time, Rice was a top ten receiver with loads of potential. Jackson was a backup to that favore guy and other than being body slammed against the eagles after throwing a pick-6 to Asante Samuel in the wild card card game in 08′, I don’t really have any other memory of his Viking days. Enough about him. As i mentioned Favre was apart of the Vikings in 09′ and that was the year Favre took advantage of Rice’s 6’4 stature and really got teams off balance. This allowed for the run game to open and what do you know the Vikings were in the NFC Championship. After that year, Rice was out for most of the next season with injuries and was dealt to the Seahawks after he learned his good pal, Tavaris was going there as well. Its safe to say it hasn’t worked for Jackson in Seattle (now a Buffalo Bill) but Rice has come along with rookie quarterback Russell Wilson. This Sunday the Vikings will visit the Seahawks and i don’t know about other Viking fans, but i have a gripe with Rice. The Vikings are missing what Rice gave them and its showing. I was surprised Rice went with Seattle because at that time they really were headed nowhere, but he did and I want nothing more than to see him come across the middle and…sorry…you guys get me right? I just think with Rice the Vikings would have the best young offense in the league. Think about Ponder’s options: Rudolph, AP, Harvin, and Rice? I know it will never happen, but with the problems we have right now in the passing game I couldn’t help but think about it. Of course I do not wish harm on any player in the league and i think I’m not alone when i say I just really do not want him getting anything on our defense.

With Chris Cook out, it will be up to A.J. Jefferson and Josh Robinson to cover the outsides. It will be a tough matchup for the Vikings especially with Marshawn Lynch running the ball the way he is, however, if the Vikings can make them one dimensional it will help take stress off the defense.