The final Monday Night Football game of the season was a doozy — Bears 36, Vikings 30 in overtime on a Jay Cutler 39-yard touchdown pass to Devin Aromashodu. The end spoiled a terrific comeback by the Vikings, who scored 30 second-half points. It also continued a tailspin that has seen Minnesota lose three of four, with suddenly shaky playoff prospects.
The biggest cheers this side of Chicago came from Philadelphia, where Eagles fans now see their team in control of the NFC No. 2 seed and a bye, and from New Orleans, where the Saints locked up the No. 1 seed with Minnesota’s loss.
The Eagles (11-4) get the No. 2 seed if they beat Dallas (10-5), not an easy task considering the Cowboys won their first meeting and this game is in Dallas. Minnesota needs to beat the Giants and have the Cowboys beat the Eagles to secure the bye. The Cowboys and Cardinals are also alive for the No. 2 slot, but both need to win and get some help (scenarios here).
Losing the bye could be fatal to the Vikings (11-4). This would mean no two weeks of rest for 40-year-old QB Brett Favre, who can really use it. Despite his second-half heroics against a depleted Bears defense, Favre has not played well the past month. While the Vikings will be a favorite in their playoff opener at home (where they are 7-0), it’s hard for me to see them winning consecutive weeks on the road (a likely task if they don’t have a bye).
For weeks, the Saints (13-2) and Vikings looked like locks to meet in the NFC title game, but both teams have hit a wall, leaving the conference wide open. The Eagles, Cowboys, Cardinals and even the Packers suddenly look like threats to make a deep playoff run. One would be crazy to bet a lot of money on any outcome.
on Dec 29th, 2009 at 3:14 AM
For my Eagles, Sunday’s game just got that much bigger. I really hope they can bring it in Dallas and get the #2 seed and bye.
on Dec 29th, 2009 at 6:46 AM
I was with Favre initially after hsi spat with Childress after last week’s loss to Carolina. After last night I am even more solidly behind Favre. Childress’ play calling is way too conservative. When Favre is allowed to open it up and spread the ball around, the Vikings look great. They have so many weapons (only the 2nd team in NFL history with 5 guys with 40+ catches) and yet Chilly still insists on using the run to set up the pass. They should be using the pass to set up the run.
on Dec 29th, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Hey George:
The real problem is with the defense. They really miss EJ Henderson and are struggling to stop anyone.
on Dec 29th, 2009 at 2:21 PM
I couldn’t help but cheer win the Bears beat the Vikings…and this is coming from a Green Bay fan. The Vikings going into the playoffs cold (depending on what they do against the Giants next week) is a good prospect for me.
on Dec 29th, 2009 at 5:27 PM
It’s also tough to not to be conservative when you have AP as a running back also. But the proof was certainly in the pudding in the second half last night. What a great it was.
Colts, take notes from the Bears. This is how you play when you have nothing to play for.
on Dec 29th, 2009 at 6:05 PM
I see that Packers fans are still whining because we’ve smacked them three times in a row!
Special teams were also a big problem last evening.
Vikes will always be my first choice but, if they can’t live up to the task, I’m hoping the Chargers or some other blue state team can take down that cocky Republican Peyton Manning.
on Dec 30th, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Sorry Patric, your head coach has a lot of issues! Let Brett do the work!!!!! Yes, the Vikes killed the Pack three times in a row, but some have caught onto their defensive and offensive antics! Both are easily defeated. The Packers will have the edge if they meet in the playoffs…that’s if the Vikes make it past the first round… (or the Pack for that matter)
on Dec 30th, 2009 at 4:10 AM
Patric,
the Chargers are owned by Alex Spanos, who was George W. Bush’s biggest donor, and QB Philip Rivers expressed support for Prop. 8, so if you are looking to root for a non-conservative team in the NFL, only the Steelers fit the bill cuz the Rooney family is close to Obama.