GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn -- According to the schedule, the NFL regular season doesn't end until December 31. For the Vikings, they play their regular season finale at home, against Green Bay, on Sunday, December 30. But, make no mistake about it, for the Purple Gang, the playoffs are already underway.
Of course, there is no bonus money that comes along with the actual playoffs, but, the sense of urgency, the pressure, and the underlying feeling that you could be playing for your job and that of your head coach and asociated staff are all there.
By losing back-to-back games to the Bears and Packers coming out of their bye-week, the Vikings have played themselves into a situation where they have to win their final three games to have any chance of reaching the playoffs for real.
The Vikings drive for post-season play started with last Sunday's win over the Bears, and continues Sunday in St. Louis. For the players, this game has become a proverbial "must win", and they know it. The problem is, the Rams are in the exact same situation, and the Viking players are well aware of that, too.
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