Wins good for Frazier, not so good for the Vikings?

You should never give up hope in pro sports. But when CBS analyst Solomon Wilcotts started talking towards the end of Sunday’s 38-14 blowout win over Buffalo about the Vikings getting back in the playoff hunt, that was a little much for my taste.

The Vikings will not win the NFC North in 2010. The Bears would have to lose their remaining four games (not happening) and so would the Packers (also not happening), while the Vikings would have to win their remaining four games.

Even if the former two scenarios were to somehow occur, could the latter happen? I can see upsetting the Giants and Bears at home and beating the Lions on the road. But do I see the Vikings also beating Philly on the road? No.

That leaves a Wild Card spot available, where the Saints, Packers and Giants are currently in line to grab those berths. The Saints have eight wins. The Packers have eight wins (and two over the Vikes). The Giants have eight wins.

Again, I can see the Vikings realistically winning three of their remaining four games. But they really need the Saints, Packers and Giants to lose all of their remaining games to have any chance at a Wild Card (I didn’t bother looking up tiebreaking scenarios.) While not impossible, this does seem improbable.

But you probably know all of this.

So what is this modest two-game winning streak for the Vikings accomplishing at this point in the season?

For interim head coach Leslie Frazier it’s providing him with a better sales pitch to make to owner Zygi Wilf when the time comes to pick a permanent head coach.

However, it also pushes the Vikings lower in the draft pecking order, reducing their chance of landing a top five pick in the first round and a potential franchise quarterback, which is what this team needs more than anything.

I never cheer for the Vikings to lose. But wins right now aren’t really helping the Vikings long-term. Unless you think Frazier is a brilliant head coach in the making.

Other thoughts

Leslie Frazier: I noticed a couple of little things that I liked from Frazier in this game.

At one point the cameras caught Frazier talking to his entire offence in the second half.

I doubt there was much X and Os teaching going on, Frazier is a defensive guy after all. But the players were attentive and I can’t remember ever seeing Brad Childress giving a personal pep talk to any of his units during his tenure. Frazier’s got a personal touch with his players, and it’s paying off.

I also liked the fact that with the game well in hand early in the fourth quarter, Frazier took Adrian Peterson out of the game.

In the past Peterson’s finished games that were out of hand, taking unnecessary hits in the process. Today, Albert Young took those shots – a wise move on Frazier’s part.

Tarvaris Jackson: Regardless of what Jason La Canfora thinks, I think we saw in this game why Jackson isn’t the future – or the present – for the Vikings quarterback position.

If not for two great plays by Sidney Rice, Jackson is looking at a 0 touchdown/four interception performance against the Bills.

Sidney Rice: He still doesn’t look as quick as he was in 2009, but this was his first impact game since returning to the Vikings lineup from his hip injury three games ago.

E.J. Henderson: The guy looks back to his 2007-2008 form to me.

Asher Allen: I know he got beat on a couple of plays in this game and he’s looked pretty bad in some games this year (notably against the Packers three weeks ago), but I think he’s getting better and this starting experience will pay dividends in 2011.

If Cedric Griffin can come back and be healthy from another knee injury, and Antoine Winfield’s performance doesn’t drop off a cliff, the Vikings could have three pretty solid cornerbacks in 2011.