Earth to Arizona Cardinals: Stay Focused Against Vikings on Sunday

By Steve Jansen Fri., Dec. 12 2008 at 5:01 PM

Categories: Sports

Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings ain't nothing to eff with.

Now that the Arizona Cardinals are division champeens for the first time in 33 years, we offer this plea: Don't screw this up, y'all.

Though the Cards put a lockdown on the NFC West last weekend, there's still a lot to play for, namely, a first-round bye in the NFL Playoffs -- starting Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

p>But more than that, the redbirds can leave their to-be-determined postseason opponent shaking in their cleats by finishing the regular season with double-digit victories. Heading into the postseason with, say, an 8-8 record is one thing. Hosting a playoff contest in front of a raucous University of Phoenix Stadium crowd as a 11-5 or 10-6 squad is quite another.

As far as the purple-clad folks from Minneapolis, the Vikings have mucho to play for, as well. The Vikes current 8-5 record is good for first place in the NFC North, but they're only one game ahead of the Chicago Bears. Winners of five of its past six, Minnestoa will bring offensive fireworks to U of P that includes a feriocous running game spearheaded by Adrian Peterson's league-leading 1,416 rushing yards.

So congrats, Cardinals, on your milestone. Here's a pat on the back for a swell job. Now get back to work when the Minnesota Vikings visit Glendale. Kick-off's at 2:05 p.m. Sunday. TV: Fox 10. Radio: KTAR-AM 620 and 92.3 FM. -- Steve Jansen