The Beginning of something beautiful?

Coming into today's Vikings game against the Arizona Cardinals, I wasn't sure what to expect from my beloved Vikings. As mentioned before, when something positive is on the line, the Vikings find spectacular ways to lose. Today, the Vikings found a way to win.

The Vikings turned to Tarvaris Jackson for the start today and that alone made you think that they were going to get clobbered. However, things started turning the Vikings way in the middle of the first quarter. Bernard Berrian, who is looking more and more like an adaquate pickup for this offense, ran a punt back for a touchdown. Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball, Kurt Warner looked something more like he did in his New York Giants days rather than his "Greatest Show on Turf" days with the St. Louis Rams. The Cardinals continued to make mistakes and the Vikings pounced on them repeatedly.

Then, there was the play of Jackson. Jackson only threw the ball 16 times, but he was very smart and patient when he had to throw the football. He threw a gorgeous pass to Berrian to put the Vikings ahead 14-0. Then, after another Cardinal turnover, Jackson threw another touchdown on a screen to Chester Taylor. Jackson continued to impress throughout the game as he wound up with four touchdowns. The Vikings cruise to a 35-14 victory on the road (although I think the crowd in attendance was 60 percent Vikings fans) and are on the verge of their first division title since Daunte Culpepper was taking the league by storm in 2000.

So, after this performance, I can't help but wonder. You can say I'm jumping the gun all you want, but I ask this question. Why can't the Vikings make a run in the playoffs? Most Minnesota teams have faltered in big game situations lately, but these Vikings seem unflappable in their last couple of big contests. Last year, the Vikings had a chance to go to the playoffs for the first time since 2004, but dropped a big Sunday night game to the Washington Redskins. That seems to have changed this year. The Vikings were able to defeat the Packers at the Metrodome in a game that was considered one that would tell who would control the division. (The Packers have been in free fall ever since.) Then, a showdown with the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. After a sluggish start, the Vikings unleashed the fury of the 99 yard pass and found themselves on top of the division. Then there was today, which you should read the previous paragraphs if you still need convincing. The Vikings have seemed to shed their fear of big games, and that would benefit the purple.

The Vikings personel is also incredibly better than it was in previous playoff runs. This team may be as talented as the 1998 team that missed the Super Bowl by that much. Of course, Randall Cunningham was WAY better than Tarvaris Jackson is right now, but if you look at some areas, they are better than that '98 team. Instead of the explosive offense coming through the air, the explosiveness has come from the running game. Adrian Peterson has evolved into the best running back in the NFL and Chester Taylor is a very solid backup. The passing game may not be as great as it has been in the Vikings glory days, but Peterson is fully capable of carrying this team deep into the playoffs.

The Viking defense also is markedly improved and it starts with Jared Allen. I was one of those who bashed Allen at the beginning of the season, but Allen has the same impact on defense that Adrian Peterson does on offense. Jared Allen has 14 1/2 sacks after today's game. Last year's leading sack man, Ray Edwards had 5. Allen has turned this defense into one of elite status and they get better each and every week. Not even Arizona, who had the league's 2nd best passing offense coming into today's game could maul the Vikings in the air.

So, again, I could be jumping the gun, but based on recent performances, the Vikings could surprise each and every one of us and play deep into January or even GULP! February?