[TomWilkinson]

The Minnesota Vikings now need help to reach the playoffs this season, and they are amazingly enough cheering for the Green Bay Packers to win. With two games remaining, the Vikings need help.


The best case would be for the Packers to defeat the NFC North-leading Bears at Lambeau Field on Sunday and the Vikings to win at Baltimore on Sunday night. That would set up a division title game when the Bears finish the regular season at the Metrodome on New Year's Day.

"I think all the Viking fans in the building will become Packer fans before the game," coach Mike Tice said. If the Bears defeat the Packers, they would clinch the division, meaning the Vikings would need to win out and have losses by Washington, Dallas and Atlanta to even have a shot at the final NFC wild card.

"I wanted to make sure they knew we still had a chance to accomplish our goals, but we don't have a chance if we don't win this game," Tice said. "So with the holidays coming up, distractions of the holidays, having to travel on Christmas eve, having to sit around all day Christmas away from your family, having to play the last game Sunday night, on the road. That in itself is tough. I wanted to make sure they knew that we still have a chance to accomplish what we set out to do, which is win the division."

Free safety Darren Sharper spent eight seasons in Green Bay and was let go before signing with Minnesota. "I never really thought it would come to this day," Sharper said. "I don't have any loyalty there anymore. It will be ironic that I have to cheer for those guys, but I have no problem swallowing my pride for about three hours on Sunday and wearing a Green Bay Packer hat."

"I'm going to call all those guys and hopefully give them some encouragement," Sharper said.
Tice said, "It all starts with us winning a game against Baltimore. Because all the scenarios you can paint, and all the pictures you can paint, will not be completed unless we win a game against Baltimore."