With three straight wins the Vikings are now in the thick of the N-F-C Wild Card playoff picture.  The Vikings are six-and-six, and in a three-way tie for second place in the Wild Card race along with the Lions and Cardinals.  The New York Giants lead the Wild Card standings with an eight-and-four record.  There are five N-F-C teams at five-and-seven, including the Chicago Bears, who lost to the Giants yesterday 21-16.  The Vikings have four games left, at San Francisco, home against the Bears, home against Washington and on the road at Denver.  All four of the Vikings’ remaining opponents have losing records.