For many of us, reality sets back in today. Regardless of exactly how much time everyone had off (for us: 10 out of the last 12 days, which was undeniable bliss even in the midst of this frozen landscape), today is the first day of the post-holiday season. We knew it was coming; and we saw it confirmed last night when the RandBall Better Half started chucking out the remnants of all the sweet and salty snacks that go so well with non-stop football on TV. We can only hope everyone feels fresh and invigorated enough to take on this return to reality with confidence. Hey, it could be worse. At least you get to hang out here again.

That preamble could serve many purposes, but the main one is a contrast with what transpired Sunday. Just as our regular lives were returning to reality, the life of a Vikings fan was returning to big-time dreams again -- and we don't mean a fantasy that cannot be obtained. With one beautiful 6 hour stretch, the chill of December's cold water on the face was erased with two beautiful gifts: a dominant performance against an admittedly disinterested Giants team, followed by the Cowboys' thorough beat-down of the Eagles. Just like that, the crucial No. 2 seed the Vikings had tried so desperately to give away was handed right back to them. The effect of the Dallas win cannot be overstated. It guarantees these things, which were not guaranteed as of 3 p.m. Sunday:

*The veteran, injury-dinged Vikings get a week off. Remember, they outscored three teams (albeit terrible ones) 98-29 in three lopsided wins coming out of the bye this year.

*Also, the bye means the Vikings don't enter a wide-open playoff fray until two of the six teams have been eliminated. Seriously, in a year when all six teams in the NFC look like legitimate threats to run the table, getting to sit out a round is unbelievably huge.

*The Vikings avoid a potential matchup with the Eagles in the division round. As the No. 6 seed, there's no way Philly can play Minnesota in the division round, and that's a very good thing. With their hot streak down the stretch (Sunday not included), tough pass rush, elusive QB and playmakers on offense, they can be a matchup nightmare for Minnesota.

*Minnesota is assured of playing any NFC playoff game indoors. Sure, the offense showed us a little something in the second half in Chicago. But being in a controlled climate is this team's best shot.

All of these things, of course, don't mean anything if Minnesota reverts back to the poor form it showed during three of the final five weeks. The optimist says all three of those stinkers were outside on grass, while the two good games were inside at the Metrodome. That should be good enough for at least one playoff win, and with the way New Orleans is stumbling right now there could either be a second playoff game at the Metrodome or a chance to expose the Saints in the Superdome. The pessimist says the Vikings could stink it up at any moment, as they have proven down the stretch.

Time will tell, but waiting an extra week to learn the verdict sure helps fuel fantasies about the outcome, even as the rest of our lives come back to reality.

P.S.: We whiffed badly on Seattle and Dallas, but we'd like to say we had the NFC North, Philly (to a degree), New Orleans and a few others pretty well pegged in our NFC preview in September.