Last week, the Cardinals were able to shut down Brett Favre. The defense was very soft against the Cardinals offense. The results: Cardinals 30, Vikings 17. Local Minneapolis radio stations predicted the clear opposite. The Vikings are good team. I would say top five. Fortunately, the Saints didn’t show much against the struggling Redskins. In the playoffs, anything can happen. At least the Vikings have a shot and have great quarterback play which will be an advantage over last year.

The Bengals come to the dome after finishing the last three weeks against some of the poorest teams in the league. The Bengals defeated the lowly Lions, but not very convincingly. The Bengals are healthy on offense and should give the Vikings a strong match-up. The years of the high flying Carson Palmer throwing offense is in the past. This is a running team—advantage Vikings.

Minnesota 28, Cincinnati 17