<TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=yspleadhdln colSpan=3 height=22>Vikings enter playoffs through the backdoor</TD></TR><TR><TD class=ysptimedate vAlign=top>
Mike Tice's Vikings avoided deja vu. (AP)
</TD><TD noWrap width=9></TD><TD vAlign=top width="100%">Minnesota needed a win to get in – just like last year – but the Vikings suffered another Week 17 defeat in falling 21-18 to the Redskins. Fortunately for the Vikes, they still made the playoffs with Carolina's loss. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Mike Tice's Vikings avoided deja vu. (AP)
</TD><TD noWrap width=9></TD><TD vAlign=top width="100%">Minnesota needed a win to get in – just like last year – but the Vikings suffered another Week 17 defeat in falling 21-18 to the Redskins. Fortunately for the Vikes, they still made the playoffs with Carolina's loss. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
