The Vikings

It seems so simple, if the Vikings can beat either the Bears or the Giants in the next two weeks, they'll probably make the play-offs. Green Bay could be in the play-offs before they even play this afternoon, if the right couple teams lose early games.

The problem for the Vikings? Green Bay is most likely going to win the division and Seattle, with the way they've been playing as of late, is probably going to be the top wild card team. BOTH have tie-breaker status over the Vikings due to their wins over Minnesota.

That means all the Vikings are playing for, at this point, is to simply to make the last play-off spot. When just one win in three games will accomplish that, they probably aren't going to win much more than that. The incentive for winning has been removed.

And when the incentive isn't there, most teams don't play very well. The Vikings have gotten smoked too often in recent weeks. That doesn't give them or their fans much hope, especially with the recent rash of injuries.

With three games left the Vikings, at best, could possibly win two of them. More likely? A single win. Chicago and the Giants have been playing miserably this season, too, but the Giants still have a chance at the playoffs and will be playing every week for their playoff life.

That means that Vikings best chance of making the play-offs comes down to their beating the Bears TODAY. If they don't, they probably won't win any more games this season.

Either way, the Vikes will either be a 9-7 team that barely makes the play-offs or an 8-8 team that barely misses them. Teams like that don't win in the play-offs.

IF they win the next two weeks, all of that will change.

How many more games do you think the Vikings will win?