More Musings on the Vikings’ Schedule

Upon even further review, the Vikings have one of the most difficult schedules in the league this year, based on the 2007 winning percentage of their opponents. Brad Childress is hoping to take advantage of an NFC-laced streak to end the season.

Brad Childress put the Vikings on notice in a team press release Tuesday – pointing out the difficulty of the Vikes’ early schedule, as well as invoking “The Wizard of Oz.”

In a statement concerning the schedule, Childress said the following: “Knowing in advance about an opener against Green Bay on Monday Night Football, the fact that we come home to host Indianapolis should be an exciting start for our fans. We will need to be ready to start fast with three of the first four games against (2007) playoff teams. At the end of the schedule, which seems like a hundred years from now, it’s great to finish with five NFC games and (have) the last two at home. If you’re playing the world champ (Giants), there’s no better place to play them than in the Metrodome.”

It may be the first time in a long time anyone has said “there’s no place like Dome,” but Childress can pull it off.

As tough as the Vikings schedule is, it could be worse. The Steelers have the most difficult schedule – based on 2007 records – with an opponent winning percentage of .598, followed closely by the Colts at .594. The Vikings are tied fourth in that category (.551) with the Baltimore Ravens, narrowly behind Jacksonville.

The other teams in the division find the going a bit easier. The Lions are tied for ninth most difficult (.543) and the Bears and Packers tie for 11th (.531) The easiest schedule by far belongs to the Patriots (.387) – as if they need any breaks.

The Vikings are scheduled for three prime-time games, but fans have to keep in mind that it might be reduced or increased. The game with the Bears in Week 13 is slated for Sunday night football, but it is subject to the flex scheduling rule. If the game doesn’t look as appealing to NBC or another matchup leaps off the page, the league could switch the game to give NBC the most favorable matchup. Last year, the league moved the Vikings and Washington into prime-time by using the flex schedule as its justification.

WEDNESDAY NOTES

Former Vikings punter Mitch Berger worked out with the Broncos Tuesday in hopes of remaining in the NFL. He was one of three punters brought in for a tryout Tuesday.

So what is the deal with the Cleveland Browns? When the NFL released its schedule yesterday, the Browns were given five prime-time games – three of them on Monday night. Not too bad for a team that didn’t even make the playoffs in 2007.

Suspended cornerback Pacman Jones was expected to submit his appeal for reinstatement to the league Tuesday, but it didn’t happen. Apparently not wanting to give Tennessee any advantage in trade negotiations, Jones opted not to file for reinstatement until after he has been traded – most likely to Dallas.

From the “You Can’t Make This Up” Department comes this: Cardinals defensive tackle Gabe Watson underwent knee surgery to repair a fracture. He didn’t hurt the knee playing football or from residual injuries. How to he break his knee cap? He fell while running on a treadmill.