The End in Denver

The Vikings season came to end in Denver on Sunday afternoon, as they were beaten by a Jason Elam field goal in overtime, 22-19, but it became academic as the Washington Redskins rolled over a Dallas Cowboys team that didn't show up, 27-6, and they claimed the final playoff spot.

It was not a great effort by the Vikings, as they scored only 3 points the first three quarters, and sure didn't look like a team bidding for a playoff spot.

Adrian Peterson spent the first drive on the bench, as he was late for a team bus. But Chester Taylor's fumble as he tried to reach for the pylon at the goal line resulted in a touchback and no points. That was just the kind of day it was for the Vikings.

Peterson had a fourth straight subpar game, rushing for only 36 yards. You have to think he's not anywhere near 100% after that knee injury, but he still won the NFC rushing title, and is a sure bet to be the NFL Offensive Rookie Player of the Year.

Once again, Tarvaris Jackson was very erratic. He finally got going in the fourth quarter, leading the Vikings out of a 19-3 hole. (He also threw a long bomb to Troy Williamson that should have been caught for a TD, but Williamson dropped the ball. He continues to be a huge bust.) They scored two TDs and two two-point conversions to tie it up, and the game wound up going to overtime.

But Jackson fumbled less than a minute into the extra frame, and Denver recovered it. They wasted no time, and Elam hit from 30 yards to end the Vikings season. They concluded 2007 at 8-8.

After the loss to Green Bay that made the Vikings 3-6, I thought for sure they would drop at least 10 games. But then they got hot, winning five straight to put them into a prime playoff spot. Jackson looked like he was gaining more confidence running the offense. Playing in January would have made the year for me, even should they get bounced out of the first round. But they will look back at that Washington game as the worst loss of the year. Just a win in that game would have put them into the postseason. But it was not to be.

I really thought the Vikings would make it when they got to 8-6. But the erratic play of Jackson and the lapses by the defense in the final two games really ended up costing the Vikings that chance.

Before this season began, I was hoping the Vikings could possibly go 8-8, and I would have considered that progress and a step forward.

I got my wish, as the Vikings went 8-8. But the final two games deflated me, and it seems like they missed out on a great opportunity to take the next step. And now, it's just 45 days until pitchers and catchers report.