[Sylvanfan]

I think Minnesota showed a lot better, and really to me that's what they needed, something a lot better than they did the previous week. I think 9-7 will at least get you in a tie breaker in the NFC and 10-6 get's you in. Not winning last night certainly will knock them down to the 6 seed for playoffs and a date in Lambeau. But for the most part I think the Vikings are a developing team so for them to be at this level this year is good progress.

Lets face it, the only real contenders to win the Superbowl are Seattle, Carolina, New England, Denver, Arizona, and Green Bay. Out of those teams four have QB's who have got it done in the playoffs before. Newton and Palmer certainly seem capable. Denver is a wild card with Manning, if he somehow recovers to health the Bronco's look much better at the position.

Outside of those teams...Pittsburgh would join that mix if they could get in, but they don't control their own destiny so that's not even a given. Cincinatti is pretty good, but I can't see them in the Superbowl. Kansas City, Minnesota, AFC South and NFC East winners, are all way behind everyone else. The Chiefs might last a round if they get the 4 seed, but they're a bit like Minnesota...not even close to good enough to even be thought of as a Superbowl team this year. At least the Vikings have a lot of guys in a favorable age bracket for future years.