Vikings gain ground during bye

The Vikings added to their already sizeable NFC North lead, even though they enjoyed their bye this weekend. Both the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears lost today, dropping each to 4-4 and giving the Vikings (7-1) a full three-game advantage in the division. The only thing that could make this sweeter for the Vikings is if the Carolina Panthers pull off the upset (presently up 20-13) over the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome. With a loss, the Saints would also drop to 7-1. The Vikings will also play the Panthers in Charlotte Dec. 20. The Bears were embarrassed 41-21 by the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals. But the Packers handed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers their first win of the season, 38-28. And the Packers did hand the game to the struggling Bucs. Rookie Josh Freeman made his first NFL start for the Bucs, and he outplayed Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Freeman was 14 of 31, but he passed for 205 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. Rodgers...