The U.K. take on the Vikings this season

A few times a month during the NFL season, I buzz over to our friends at the BBC online to see what their thoughts of not only our team, but other's, is. Thing's I've noticed, is they pay attention, are getting into the sport more and more and they have a nice perspective on teams since they have to do a little more research tracking down players, teams and such. We get to have the luxury of finishing our 12 pack at the end of the day and getting everything from who had the most TD's to who let out the loudest fart and in which stadium put up on the TV for us.

I was reading this blog on the upcoming week done by a Neil Reynolds. Some of our D.N. member's who are oversea's may be familiar with the fellow, but he seem's to be pretty knowledgeable. If you read the whole article, he has done his research as he brings up some stuff from the old Cleveland Rams day's. But, what I will paste here is concerning the Vikings (of course) and his assessment of our season, playoffs and this weeks game. I'll also throw in the link at the bottom so you can read the whole article if you wish. Just thought it was a nice outside the NFL take on things. 

"The Colts and Saints are grabbing considerable attention as undefeated 10-0 teams but I think the best side in the NFL at the moment is one game back - the 9-1 Vikings.

Brett Favre is not just surviving the rigours of the season at the age of 40, he is playing the best football of his career and looks every bit as good as the three years when he won NFL Most Valuable Player honours. He has thrown for 2,482 yards, 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions and looks very much like the final piece in the Vikings' Super Bowl jigsaw.

But there is more to the Vikings than a star quarterback. They have the game's best running back in Adrian Peterson, a strong offensive line and receivers who can score from anywhere on the field in Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Bernard Berrian.

They're pretty dominant on defense as well. Jared Allen is a pass-rushing demon, Kevin and Pat Williams are virtually immovable at defensive tackle and behind them roam a pair of very active linebackers in E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway.

With Favre not having to take his aching bones outside into the cold very often between now and the season's end, I'm backing the Vikings to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Miami. They certainly look stronger than my preseason tip, the New York Giants.

Game of the Week

We have the Vikings taking on the Chicago Bears - who have lost five of their last six after a 3-1 start - on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra on Sunday from 2100 GMT.

The focus of fan dismay in Chicago is quarterback Jay Cutler. The Bears gave up first round picks in the 2009 and 2010 drafts, a third round pick in 2010 and sent Kyle Orton to Denver. They then rewarded Cutler with a $50 million (£30m) contract. He has paid them back with some wildly inaccurate throws, some poor decisions and an NFL-leading 18 interceptions.

Cutler is throwing too much off his back foot, his mechanics are poor and he looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. But he is not getting a great deal of help - his offensive line is shaky, the running game non-existent and his receivers are inexperienced and distinctly average.

There is only one winner in this contest.

Prediction: Chicago 13 Minnesota 38"

And here is the link to the whole article on the BBC webpage.