No doubt Matt Cassel deserved all the praise he got last week after he had a great day against the Philadelphia Eagles, winding up with a 116.6 rating in a 48-30 victory.

Well, not to be critical of Cassel, but all the Vikings quarterbacks seem to be having trouble with consistency this year. The same Cassel who was a big star in the Philadelphia victory completed only 13 of 27 for 113 yards and was intercepted three times for a 32.6 rating, the lowest of any Vikings quarterback this year, Sunday's 42-14 loss at Cincinnati.

Now coach Leslie Frazier might have second thoughts about putting Cassel in there again next week against the Lions. He might take a look at Christian Ponder to improve the perception of Ponder before next season.

What a difference a season makes. Last year this time the Vikings were 9-6 and looking forward to a game against the Packers that would put them in the playoffs. They ended the season with a four-game win streak and that playoff spot, and it was a Merry Christmas for Vikings fans.

This year, the fans got a lump of coal.

The Vikings lost that playoff game at Green Bay to end last season, but there was certainly something to look forward to. That is not the case this year.