Dysfunctional Vikings will end up in playoffs

	If the Vikings are to make the playoff, they'll have to do so behind Brad Johnson. Al Bello/Getty Images

It pains me to write this, but here goes: The Minnesota Vikings are going to make the playoffs. You read that right. Not that I'm rooting for the franchise that (boat) cruised its way into our hearts with its Caligula-like antics (though I'm thinking head coach Mike Tice could hook me up with some sweet playoff tickets). The Vikings (4-5) trail the Chicago Bears (6-3) in the NFC North, but the team's improved play and its upcoming games --- Packers (away), Browns (home), Lions (away), Rams (home), Steelers (home), and Baltimore (away) --- make an 8-7 record a real possibility after Christmas Day.

While the Bears won their fifth straight game on Sunday, their schedule is about to get as rough as the wind at Soldier Field last weekend. Chicago hosts the powerful Panthers next week. The Bears then travel to Tampa Bay, which is 4-1 at home this season. That's followed by a home game against Green Bay, but then comes a nightmare back-to-back-to-back stretch of games against the Steelers (away), Falcons (home) and Packers at Lambeau Field. Maybe the Bears are for real. Then again, maybe the Bears will be 7-8 or 8-7 following that treacherous road. Detroit is currently tied with Minnesota, but it faces a much tougher schedule (including the Cowboys, Falcons, Bengals and Steelers). Fast forward to the final week of the season. The Lions have faded (which gives them better draft position to draft another wide receiver) and the Bears and Vikings are tied at 8-7. Now take a look at the schedule. Minnesota hosts Chicago on Jan. 1. Better get on the bandwagon now.