Count Vikings In for Playoffs

If the last two weeks are any indication, watch out for the Minnesota Vikings in the playoffs.

The Vikings, one of the preseason Super Bowl favorites, made the playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons under Dennis Green by unleashing a big-play offense to rout the New York Giants, 34-17, Sunday.

“We’re jelling,” said running back Robert Smith, who rushed for 146 yards--including a late 70-yard touchdown run--to also help the Vikings (9-6) keep their slim hopes of winning a second consecutive NFC Central championship alive. “When guys were saying we were out of it at 2-4, we were the only people who believed.”

The loss does not eliminate the Giants (7-8) from the playoff picture, but they will have to beat the Dallas Cowboys in next Sunday’s finale and get some help from other teams to qualify.

Jeff George’s passing to Randy Moss and Cris Carter set up two short touchdown runs by Leroy Hoard to put Minnesota ahead 14-6 in the first half. Then the Vikings came up with several big plays in the second half.

An interception by Anthony Bass set up a 27-yard touchdown pass on a gimmick play from Moss to Carter. Moe Williams’ 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and Smith’s 70-yard scoring run came seconds after the Giants scored.

The key for the Vikings was Carter, who was limited to only a token appearance in last week’s 24-20 victory over Green Bay because of a sprained ankle. While not at full speed, he had enough to dominate the Giants’ injury-riddled secondary, making five catches for 131 yards.