This page quite frequently is Predictions Central, and given I have worked in horse racing for 25 years, yeah, I am a functioning predictaholic. Into the season, I said the Vikings would be 6-and-2 after eight and people went to the cliched "homer" card and felt it just was a hope-selling venture by Vikes' Vox.

Wrong. I completely meant it, handicapped the schedule and missed by a home game when we flopped versus Tampa Bay a week ago. Close but no dice. The second big call I made was we would sweep the Lions this year, and non Elite Football Minds like WOBBLE and COMMON chided me and teased me and made it sound like the predicition was so outlandish I was assuming ROMNEY would beat OBAMA.

Again, wrong. I saw a regression to the mean for Detroit and knew we were better than many felt. Of late, though, they are surging on many levels and we may be circling the proverbial drain. Their run defense amazingly has improved and the Lions of all teams are being lauded for rushing offense and rushing defense. Dohkay. Since we shackled LESHOURE for two YPC our run defense has been as bad as I have seen it since I started on the mike in 2002. We run as well as anybody but cannot pass.

That has to change this weekend and I am looking to reassume predicting cred. We have to win this game Sunday at MOA Field to stop the bleeding and to keep the cushion soft for the rough-and-tumble final six this year. Putting Detroit on a 4-and-5 record with Green Bay next on the schedule would do serious damage to its playoff chances. Stop the run, please, and in doing so we might be able to batter MATTHEW STAFFORD, who is a quality QB and likes to stay in the pocket. We have done quite well versus pocket guys this year, but if Leshoure and BELL go to mashing on us we may be screwed.

In Detroit they are bragging about the eveolution of the running game. The Lions already have 10 rushing TD's, which is one more than they had all of last year. They rambled for four at Jacksonville. They have allowed just two rushing TD's all year, and that should piss off ADRIAN, who is on an influential run.

Sure, if PERCY doesn't play they'll have less to worry about in the passing game. This needs to be a spot where our TE's make them pay and keep them honest. This needs to be a win and we need it badly. I want to be accurate with my longshot prediction into the season and I want Our Favorite Team to stop this losing streak, to stop the run and for CHRISTIAN PONDER to find a way to have his best game of the year -- with or without 12.

I chatted briefly with Ponder as I left Winter Park today and didn't want to clomp too much because he was eating by himself.

Me: "You good for Sunday."

7: "Yep, very excited."

Me: "Big spot, Christian."

7: "I know; we'll be fine."

Let's go!