The Vikings' record for fewest passing yards in a game took place in 1971 when they generated just 21 against the Green Bay Packers. I swear, as this bad boy today was being played out and CHRISTIAN PONDER was stuck on 36 it felt like some mark for futility was being established. After going 5-for-5 on the TD drive closed by a RUDOLPH grab the kid didn't complete a pass for like one-half the game.

In fairness, with RUSHING IMMORTALITY doing what he did (210 yards) there weren't many chances, but Christian had two of the worst misses of his career today, and they both played into us blowing an opportunity to win where few leave victorious.

The pick to MORGAN BURNETT in the back of the end zone is the worst pass CP has thrown in his NFL career. Two plays after the 48-yard run by Adrian he rolled right, looked for Rudolph, who was covered, and tried to loop one to MICHAEL JENKINS. It never should have been thrown and, if anything, should have been thrown higher and/or out of the back of the end zone.

A TD there puts us up 11, GB becomes "left-handed" in that the running game would have become null and void, JAMES STARKS never would have had that 22-yard TD run and, quite honestly, we would have won the game. If he throws away that ball and we eventually find a way to get a TD Adrian, too, might have broken his own single-season rushing record of 296.

The other awful miss came on a play known as a "wheel route" where Adrian exited the backfield, scampered in front of our bench and scooted by an overmatched LB. CP chucked it up, put too much air under it, under threw him and it went incomplete. That should have been a TD and still bugs the hell out of me.

Just chatted with Ponder on the plane a bit and, obviously, he feels terrib;e and feels he completely cost the team the game. I talked extensively with Adrian in the locker room after the game and the two things he said resonating with me were (a) "I should have done more to carry this team" and (b) that "CP is my guy and I'll do everything to pump him up."

Adrian could not have done much more to help the team win today. Analyst PETE BERCICH and I argued a bit outside of the bus re: our pass rush because I thought it was okay given GB held like every play to keep us from AARON RODGERS while his learned NFL mind felt we did poorly in letting him leave the pocket too frequently. I hear him on that one.

Rodgers was terrific today. No stats in front of me but it felt like he hit on 80 percent of his throws, was as cold-blooded as ever on third down and always was in control. That OL they are putting out there is the main reason they will not be going to the SB but like the colors or not, Aaron Rodgers is the NFL's best QB and is as crafty as they come.

So, we have to win out to make the playoffs and obviously that looks like a longshot. Much to analyze tomorrow 9-to-Noon. Green Bay has won 18 of the last 19 at Lambeau and we blew a chance to win today. Missed opportunity, indeed.