It's hard to figure the National Football League out. A week ago, the Redskins used a third-string quarterback to go into Dallas and beat the Cowboys, who were on a six-game winning streak and one of the hottest teams in the league.

Dallas also beat the Seahawks in Seattle, something that rarely happens.

Then on Sunday, the Redskins got back their top quarterback in Robert Griffin III, and you had to figure they would be a lot better offensively. But the Vikings were able to stop the Redskins on the final drive to sew up Sunday's 29-26 victory at TCF Bank Stadium.

The bye week comes at a perfect time, and after playing Chicago, the Vikings have three straight home games. Maybe they can still surprise everybody and get lucky and get some breaks. And because the North is so weak, they might make the playoffs.