What do the Vikings, Cardinals, 49ers and Falcons have in common, besides their combined record of 16-35-1?
Answer: They are the only teams in the NFL without a victory over a team that now has a winning record. That's right. These, indeed, are desperate times at TCO Performance Center.
The Vikings have three games left against the Dolphins (7-6) at home, the Lions (5-8) in Detroit and the Bears (9-4) at home.
Right now, the combined record of the six teams the Vikings have beaten is 27-50-1 (.353). The combined record of the six teams they've lost to is 53-25 (.679).
They've beaten no one they weren't expected to beat. And they lost to Buffalo as a 16½-point favorite in one very memorable game they were supposed to win.
Meanwhile, around the league — except for Arizona (3-10), San Francisco (3-10) and Atlanta (4-9) — unexpected wins have been more plentiful.
MARK CRAIG