REMOTE PATROL
Rubio: Think Washington regrets that trade? Wolves at Wizards, noon, FSN.
Playoffs: Eli Manning threw for 4,933 yards this year. Falcons/Giants, noon, Ch. 9.
Playoffs II: Is Tebowmania over before it really started? Steelers/Broncos, 3:30, Ch. 4.
Must win: It's desperation time for Gophers hoops (5 p.m. vs. Purdue, BTN).
THE BUZZ
CLICK PICK As mentioned by and spotted in SI.com's "Hot Clicks," major congratulations are in order for Sporting News and its bold prediction. The magazine, in its Aug. 29 edition, predicted the Packers would go 15-1. But wait, there's more: It predicted the lone loss would come against the Kansas City Chiefs.
fast fact The Vikings' non-division games in 2012 shouldn't exactly strike fear into anyone. The breakdown goes like this: Home against Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Arizona, Jacksonville and Tennessee; away against Washington, St. Louis, Seattle, Houston and Indianapolis. Perhaps the most interesting part: We'll get an early read on draft winners and losers. The Vikings, of course, have the No. 3 pick. Of the six other teams picking in the top seven, the Vikings will face five of them in 2012. Cleveland (No. 4) is the only team absent.
LETTERS OF THE WEEK
Send yours to mrand@startribune.com
Kudos from Bears fanEven as a transplanted Bears fan, I was rooting for Jared Allen to get one more sack and set an NFL record. Why? Because he earned every one he got. I still remember that showboat Brett Favre running to his right and taking a dive to give Michael Strahan his record 22 1/2 sacks. I'll bet he woke up knowing that Allen owns the REAL record.
Edward Stedman, Hastings
Thank you, KleinsasserIn one of Jim Kleinsasser's last interviews on Sunday, he said, "I'm the luckiest guy. From Day 1, I've been a lucky guy." He has shown us a lesson that we can use for everyday living: The harder you work, the luckier you become. Thank you, Jim Kleinsasser, for your hard work and lessons in life. Enjoy your family and retirement, you have earned it.
Mike McLean, Richfield
If it looks like a SpielmanIf you take the head off a chicken and put it on a duck, is it then a duck? The only move the Vikings have made that was dumber than naming Rick Spielman their new GM was trading for Herschel Walker.
Gary Riesenberg, Minneapolis
