December 1st, 2009 
Adam Warwas 
Posted in Here is how the standings shake out after this week’s action:
THE NORTH
The Vikings knocked Chicago out of the playoff picture on Sunday, as they now lay 6 games behind them with only 5 weeks left to play. The Lions have been out for a while.
The biggest enemy (as always) is the Packers, who have managed to stay within three games back. If the worst were to happen, and the Vikings lost four of their remaining games and the Packers won four of their remaining games, then the Packers could still get the NFC North Championship.
However, the Vikings can clinch the division race this week if they beat the Cardinals and the Packers lose to the Ravens on Monday Night Football… both of which are not unlikely scenarios. The Vikings can also clinch by winning their next two games, regardless of what the Packers do.
THE NFC
The Vikings are still one game behind the undefeated Saints. The Saints have a couple of tough division games left, but in all honesty, their schedule appears easier than the Vikings remaining schedule, and overcoming the Saints seems like a long shot at this point.
The Cowboys are the next closest opponent, and they are two games behind the Vikings. At this point, the Vikings need to maintain that lead over the Cowboys in order to ensure a first week playoff bye. What is interesting is that the Cowboys still have to play the Saints, which means the Vikings benefit regardless of the outcome of that game.
Three games back, and still within range of overtaking the Vikings are a group of 7-4 teams that consist of the Cardinals, Eagles, and Packers.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
If the playoffs were to happen today, the first round would feature the Eagles and Cardinals competing to see who gets to come play in the Metrodome. On the other side would be the Packers and Cowboys fighting for a chance to go play the Saints.
While the Vikings are focused on clinching the NFC North, it should be noted that a win against the Cardinals guarantees that they at least make the playoffs.
Tags: 
Adam are you sure about these scenarios? I’ll wait for c.c to do a fact check on them ( no offense ). Just sayin all we can do is keep winning and I’ll be happy.
johnny is right,
c.c. was voted in last week. hehe
The vikes clinch a playoff berth with a win this week.
yup… (last paragraph)
That’s right Charlie, you me and Adam voted cc as fact checker. It was a democratic vote 3-0. Wtf seems to have the facts also. Cmon cc jump in here.
Fact checker? Hmmm, ok I’ll do it. Wait a minute, how much does it pay?
Cc it pays as much as the AV guest writers get. You could retire in about 60 years with no benefits and no insurance. Cant believe you’d pass on that
What if I told you it pays the same amount that I get paid?