After the Vikings’ defense confused and then took full advantage of Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning on Sunday by scoring three TDs on interception receptions, the team found themselves right in the middle of the NFC playoff hunt with a 5-6 record.

What?

Sure, the Vikings have lost some close games, but they have also looked like a team that shouldn’t win three games all season at other times this year.

Remember the Packers game two weeks ago?

Or the Eagles game a month ago?

Well, all that disappointment can be forgotten if the Vikings can pull themselves together down the stretch.

In all reality the Vikings could make the playoffs. (In that same reality they could lose the rest of their games.)

Tarvaris Jackson is actually 5-2 even though the Vikings have the 31st ranked passing offense in the NFL averaging 158.8 yards per game.

The Vikings also have the worst pass defense in the league.

On the bright side, the Vikings have the No. 1 ranked rushing offense in the NFL and the No. 1 ranked rushing defense in the NFL.

The Vikings fall right in the middle of the NFL in respects to points allowed on defense and points scored on offense.

And, the league’s leading rusher, A.D., may play next week!!

So if the Vikings can win the rest of the games they would be 10-6.

I don’t see that happening. But I don’t see the second NFC Wild Card team finishing with record better than 9-7, either.

In my opinion, the Vikings should beat the Detroit Lions next week at home. This was one of those games they should’ve won earlier in the year. The Lions are struggling and the Vikings are playing them at home. That would put them at 6-6.

Then the Vikings go to San Francisco to play a struggling 49ers team. This should be a win, improving their record to 7-6.

The Vikings then come home to face the Bears, a team that they could (and should) beat at home if they don’t kick the ball to Hester. The two teams’ first meeting was a wild one, so I think this game can go either way. With home field advantage I predict a win and an 8-6 record.

Then there are the “gut-check” games.

The Vikings have to play the Redskins, who are also in the playoff picture and then have to go to Denver to play the Broncos, who should be playing for their division title in a cold and snowy Mile High stadium.

It should be fun.

How do you think the Vikings will finish?

Do you think any 5-6 team will run the table?