BATTLE-TESTED?

The Vikings ended up playing six games against playoff teams, meeting five of the 12 playoff teams this season. They lost to AFC No. 1 seed Denver 23-20 and beat AFC wild-card team Kansas City 16-10. They split a pair of games with the wild-card Green Bay Packers, and lost at NFC No. 2 seed Arizona 23-20 a week after being blitzed by NFC wild-card entrant Seattle 38-7 at TCF Bank Stadium. Should the Vikings beat Seattle at home on Sunday, they would face Arizona at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16.

MANO-A-MANO

Vikings DE Everson Griffen vs. Packers T Josh Sitton

WHO WON?

Sitton, a Pro Bowl guard, had to move to left tackle because of an injury and Griffen had two sacks, including a strip sack, to win the battle Sunday night.

PLAY OF THE GAME

THE X-MAN PICKS IT

The Packers were driving for what would have been a tying touchdown in the fourth quarter when Xavier Rhodes (29) picked off a pass by Aaron Rodgers (12). The Packers had fourth-and-goal from the 13 with 2 minutes, 18 seconds remaining and Rodgers, with fullback John Kuhn (30) in protection, tried to hit James Jones (89) in the left corner of the end zone. But the pass went inside instead of outside, and Rhodes stepped in for his second career pick. The Packers eventually got the ball back, but a last-second Hail Mary was knocked away, partly by Rhodes.