The week of discussion leading to this Vikings-Cowboys game included mention of the possible influence of a "home run hitter" at running back. The surprise has been that the description has been used in connection to Dallas' Felix Jones rather than the Vikings' Adrian Peterson.
There was an example of how Peterson still carries substantial mystique among the NFL's closest followers, when he was voted as a second running back with Tennessee's Chris Johnson on the All-Pro team released Thursday by the Associated Press.
This was a blunder by the voters, when you consider that Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew was Peterson's equal as a rusher, as a receiver and he lost one fumble compared to Peterson's six. And then there's blocking, where Jones-Drew excels and Peterson keeps trying.
The Jones-Drew oversight will mean nothing to the Vikings and the Cowboys for 3 1/2 hours inside the big blue room. This is a conference semifinal, but these are the NFC's two teams that are closest to complete, and the winners should be traveling to Miami for the Super Bowl, not the Pro Bowl.
The most popular scenario offered for a Vikings victory has been that Brett Favre will negate Dallas' aggressive rush by relying on dink passes to Peterson, Chester Taylor and Percy Harvin, quick throws in the middle to Visanthe Shiancoe and an occasional jump ball to Sidney Rice, this team's true MVP.
Much of this is based on the way Favre carved up Chicago's injured secondary in the second half on Dec. 28, and his four-touchdown frolic against the disinterested New York Giants on Jan. 3.
Those challenges compared to what takes place against Dallas is the difference between meaningless and just plain mean. And in order to take that streak out of the Cowboys, the Vikings will have to hit DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in the teeth with a heavy dose of Peterson.
A concern over Peterson can take a half-step away from the charges of the outside linebackers, and if it doesn't and Ware and Spencer continue to have eyes only for Favre, Peterson could find a lane and go deep.