THE VIKINGS COULD HAVE LOCKED UP THE CHAMPIONSHIP

BUT SEEMED UNABLE TO TURN-OR EVEN HOLD- THE KEY

AS THE FALCONS SWOOPED INTO TOWN FOR THE WIN

LEAVING FANS WONDERING IF A CROWN THEY'LL SEE

IT WASN'T THAT THE FALCONS PLAYED SO WELL

BUT THAT THE VIKINGS COULDN'T GET ON TRACK

AS THEY STUMBLED, BUMBLED AND FUMBLED THE BALL

AND ONLY OCCASIONALLY GOT IT BACK

SO THIS WEEK THE TASK IS STILL ON TAP

AS THEY FACE THE CONFERENCE'S BEST

MINNESOTA HAD HOPED THE GAME WOULDN'T MATTER

SO SOME OF THE GIANTS BEST PLAYERS MIGHT REST

BUT THE GIANTS DON'T PLAY THE GAME THAT WAY

AND THEY'LL SEE THE VIKES AS A POTENTIAL PLAYOFF FOE

SO DON'T LOOK FOR THEM TO COAST THROUGH THIS GAME

WHICH MAY DEVELOP INTO QUITE A SHOW

LIKE MINNESOTA THE GIANTS LOVE TO RUN THE BALL

AND THEY ENJOY PLAYING STINGY DEFENSE TOO

SO THE KEY WILL BE ELI MANNING AGAINST T-JACK

AND IF THEY COAT PETERSON'S HANDS WITH GLUE

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IT'S BECOMING LIKE A RECURRENT NIGHTMARE

EXCEPT THAT IT'S HAPPENING NIGHT AND DAY

THE PACKERS PLAY WELL FOR PART OF A GAME

THEN FIND THE MEANS TO LET IT SLIP AWAY

LAST MONDAY ON A DARK AND FROZEN NIGHT

THE SCENARIO PLAYED OUT AGAINST THE BEARS

THE DEFENSIVE LAPSE IS SO FAMILIAR AND PREDICTABLE

ONE HAS TO WONDER IF ANYONE REALLY CARES

THIS WEEK REPRESENTS A CHANCE FOR HISTORY

NO MATTER WHICH TEAM COMES OUT ON TOP

EITHER THE LIONS ARE THE FIRST TO LOSE SIXTEEN GAMES

OR IT'S AGAINST THE PACKERS THEIR STREAK WILL STOP

THE LIONS HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR THE SOLUTION

TO BREAKING THE PATTERN IN WHICH THEY ARE STUCK

BUT IT'S TOUGH TO MAXIMIZE THE TALENT OF THE PLAYERS

WHEN BAD MANAGEMENT COMPOUNDS WITH BAD LUCK

THE PACKERS WILL DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN

TO AVOID BEING DRAWN ONTO SUCH AN IGNOBLE LIST

AFTER A SEASON THAT STARTED WITH SUCH HIGH HOPES

AND WHOSE PROMISE HAS BEEN SO BADLY MISSED

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WHILE THE GIANTS AREN'T GOING TO RISK THEIR STARS

THE VIKINGS' POSTSEASON HOPES ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE

WHILE THE PACKERS DESPERATELY NEED TO WIN

TO PULL AT LEAST A LITTLE PRIDE OUT OF THE RUBBLE