As trite as some believe it is, winning the turnover battle is every bit as important as what ADRIAN PETERSON (212 and 1) did today. In our four most impressive games this year (wins versus Detroit, Chicago and San Fran.at home and today vesus the Rams) we have won the take-give, and that we are scoring on defense is huge this time of the year.

Adrian obviously is BOSSBERG'S "A Topic" out of the game because he has gone eight consecutive with at least 100 yards and has a big shot at eclipsing ERIC DICKERSON'S 2,105 set in 1984. When he split the Rams' defense for the 82-yard score he was stuck on eight runs for a paltry eight yards. Then he tilted the game and momentum the way of Our Favorite Colors with the visually impressive burst. Love the kid, love calling his games and love that he's a legit MVP candidate with two to go.

The Rams front seven is very good and tough and we dominated it today. We are dominating everybody we face in the running game no matter their stats or level of play. This rush offense is the greatest in Minnesota Vikings history thanks to the OL , the TE's and FB JEROME FELTON, who should go to the Pro Bowl.

That we didn't give the Rams the ball via turnover was huge, too, and analyst PETE BERCICH was loving on our defensive schemes all game. He obviously knows what he's talking about given he played and coached defense, and in my six years of calling games with him never have heard him praise a defensive approach the way he did today's.

We dropped EVERSON GRIFFEN into coverage from the LDE spot and he picked SAM BRADFORD for a TD. We blitzed WINFIELD from all over the place, and it worked. DC ALAN WILLIAMS called a terrific game, and our defense most of the last three games has been playoff-sound. Likewise for the running game and kick coverage, which allowed an average return of 14 yards. That amazing.

BLAIR WALSH not only is the best rookie kicker in the NFL he's arguably the best, period. He is 8 of 8 from 50 and beyond and will set an NFL record for most made FG's from 50 or longer (currently tied with MORTON ANDERSON and JASON HANSON with eight).

Then there's THE QUARTERBACK, who did exactly what was expected of him for a second consecutive game. I defended him on the radio last week against those who refused to appreciate the nuances of the game and strictly settled in on the 91 yards passing and the bad pick. Christian was better against the Bears than people credited him for and was terrific today. His fortitude on the five-yard TD run -- he bounced off ROBERT QUINN -- was gritty and game, and that he didn't thow a pick is very important.

The kid took a step in the right direction for our season and his future with the team. He silenced The Negatives because he's doing almost exactly what the coaches' want him to do, and buying into that plan is important.

Our third-down convertiing stunk, we gave up too many passing yards late and allowed STEVEN JACKSON too many YPC, but the win kept us alive in the NFC playoff race, and off the diseased 3-and-13 last year fans should be proud.