Wow. Can't say I saw that coming, says the guy who predicted 38-3, Iggles ...

FIRST DOWN:

Funny how a meaningless game could end up meaning an awful lot to the future of the Minnesota Vikings.

Interim coach Leslie Frazier and rookie quarterback Joe Webb both took significant steps toward securing long-term jobs in Minneapolis during last night's 24-14 beatdown of the Eagles in Philadelphia.

Frazier is 3-2 with two road wins, the latter over a team that needed to win to secure a first-round bye. He also outcoached Andy Reid, one of the league's best coaches, while holding the Vikings together through the most ridiculous of circumstances over the past three weeks.

Not knowing who the Wilfs have spoken to or feel they can get to coach the team full-time after this season makes it difficult to declare Frazier the man for the job. But I do not believe they will have a better candidate than the guy they have in place now.

The players respect him as a former player and an even-tempered professional. And obviously they're willing to follow his lead. Otherwise, last night's game never would have turned out the way it did.

If the Vikings had a general manager, it would be the perfect scenario to hire Frazier. The only question I have is whether Frazier is ready to become what essentially is coach/general manager of an NFL team.

SECOND DOWN:

As for Joe Webb, all I can say is Brett Favre's streak of starts coming to an end was beneficial to the future of the franchise. It has allowed everyone to realize: A, Tarvaris Jackson is not the answer, nor will he ever be; and B, Joe Webb has what it takes to play quarterback in the NFL.

First of all, he has the size, athleticism, speed and arm strength. That allows him to be competent while learning how to play the position. Philly's poor left end spent the whole game watching Webb dodge his pass rush and turn sacks into positive yardage. Secondly, he showed something in his first start that T-Jack never really showed in five seasons: He's got a feel for the position and he won't get hurt every time he's touched.

Webb's read and throw on the third-and-ll pass to Percy Harvin late in the game was beautiful. If converted a third down and buried the Eagles.

Had Favre kept playing, we never would have seen that from Webb in a regular-season game.

THIRD DOWN:

With that in mind, I say start Joe Webb in Detroit, even if Favre is healthy. The future of this franchise is more important than yet another final bow for Favre. Favre's career is over. It was a great run. It's time to step aside and let Webb get some more experience in a regular-season game against a Lions team that's won three straight games.

FOURTH DOWN:

I'm more encouraged by the fact Frazier and Fred Pagac were able to completely outcoach Reid and the Eagles by making some drastic changes defensively. But I do wonder, um, why did it take until Week 16 for the Vikings to play so aggressively on defense?

I like that Frazier and his staff proved they can do it. I just wonder why they didn't do some of this stuff awhile ago. Antoine Winfield was fantasic blitzing off the corner. He's done that in previous seasons, but hadn't been asked to do it that much this season, until Tuesday night.

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