Item: Adrian Peterson takes himself out of league MVP contention with his fumble-marred 76-yard rushing performance in the Vikings' loss to Atlanta.

I think: Peyton Manning is the favorite to win the MVP award, but my vote would go to Chad Pennington, who, with a batch of no-name receivers, has a better quarterback rating and fewer interceptions than Manning and has helped the Dolphins go from 1-15 last season to the brink of an AFC East division title. The Dolphins' coach, Tony Sparano, should be a lock for coach of the year.

Item: If the Vikings make the playoffs, they must win three playoff games to reach the Super Bowl.

I think: They won't even get out of the first round if Dallas or Tampa Bay is the opponent. And either the Cowboys or Buccaneers are likely to be playing in Minnesota that first weekend of the postseason.

Item: The New York Giants clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

I think: All the Giants need to do is win two games to return to the Super Bowl, and Giants Stadium is a huge advantage for them in January. They know how to deal with the winter winds that whip through the stadium, and, when Brandon Jacobs in healthy, the Giants have a devastating ground game, as the Carolina Panthers found out Sunday.

Item: The Gophers men's basketball team is 10-0, off to its best start since the mid-1970s, and is ranked 23rd in two national polls.

I think: The way the Wild and Timberwolves are playing, the Gophers will be the winter salve for Minnesotans looking to support a winning team.