Vikings drop to ninth in Andrew Luck sweepstakes

Four Downs while wondering just how many farewell retirement shows it'll take before Don Shelby actually retires ...

FIRST DOWN:

It was the 31-3 loss that turned Winter Park upside down, got Brad Childress fired, reaffirmed Elmer Fudd's Zygi Wilf's future is not in public speaking and made Packer fans happy to be alive. But it did nothing to help the Vikings' jockeying for the No. 1 draft pick in 2011.

In fact, the Vikings fell from seventh heading into Chilly's last game to ninth heading into Frazier's first game against the Redskins in Washington. But don't feel bad. Bills fans have watched a two-game winning streak drop their team from No. 1 to No. 4. According to the draft gurus, the No. 1 overall pick will be Stanford QB Andrew Luck, who they say might be even better than John David Booty.

Here's the draft lineup through Week 11:

1. Carolina (1-9)

2. Detroit (2-8, .520 strength of schedule)

4. Buffalo (2-8, .580 strength of schedule)

5. Cowboys (3-7, .510 strength of schedule)

6. 49ers (3-7, .530 strength of schedule)

7. Cardinals (3-7, .550 strength of schedule)

8. Broncos (3-7, .560 strength of schedule)

10. Browns (3-7, .660 strength of schedule. And, speaking of the Browns, did you know they've played only one team with a losing record?)

SECOND DOWN:

Wilf stumbled, stammered and avoided answering the nine questions thrown his way yesterday. But he and Leslie Frazier made it clear the Vikings are focused on winning. Frazier immediately crushed any speculation that Brett Favre will fade away as the team takes a long look at Tarvaris Jackson.

I can't blame Frazier. This is his shot to show the Wilfs and the rest of the NFL what he can do as a head coach. Favre gives him the best chance to win. Why should he care about getting a look at Jackson.

I suppose fans always want to see their team win. But winning games the rest of the year while playing Favre makes next season even more difficult.

And I know we all assume Jackson can't get the job done. But other than that one play at the goal line in New England, name the last time he played a significant snap. He hasn't had one since the 2008 postseason. Let's find a way to find out if anything has changed. But that's not going to happen.

THIRD DOWN:

We've stuck a fork in the Vikings, but there are some must-see games involving NFC North teams this week. Green Bay is at Atlanta and Philadelphia is at Chicago. That might be the best four teams in the NFC (Yeah, I know the Saints are 7-3).

Wouldn't it great is one of those games was on Thanksgiving? I'm sure the world would survive if we broke the Dallas, Detroit tradition.

Here are the NFC teams with the top records and the number of teams with winning records that they've beaten:

Green Bay 7-3: 2. Best wins. At Philadelphia, at the Jets.

Saints 7-3: 2. Pittsburgh at home.

Eagles 7-3: 4. Best win. 31-17 vs. Atlanta at home.

Buccaneers 7-3: 0. And they've had two 25-point home losses against teams with winning records.

Bears 7-3: 1. Best win. Green Bay at home.

FOURTH DOWN:

At least one of my Super Bowl picks didn't go belly up. The Vikings are out, but the Chargers are doing what they always do: finish the regular season strong after starting weak. Hopefully, they won't follow it up with another thing they always do: Choke in the playoffs.