{image1} The Packers' win in the Metrodome on Christmas Eve gave them the NFC North title and a fighting chance in the playoffs.

With the 34-31 thriller over the Vikings, the Packers earned the No. 3 seed in the NFC post-season, which means they get a game against a wild card team on Jan. 8 or 9 at Lambeau Field. The opponent will be determined in the next week.

When you consider the Packers are 4-4 at Lambeau this season and 5-2 on the road, you have to ask if home field advantage is really an advantage at all. But, most Packers will tell you they prefer to play any big game at home, especially against teams that might not be acclimated to the weather you can get in Green Bay in January.

Certainly, a third straight division championship is something for the Packers and their fans to be proud of, even if the NFC North is a weak division. But, the win over the Vikings meant more than the title and even home field advantage.

"We haven't done things perfectly this season, that's for sure," coach Mike Sherman says. "We've lost four games at Lambeau Field, and it still sticks heavily in my heart. We had to win this game not only for a division championship, but to get ourselves going in the right direction."

If the Packers do head in the right direction, they could surprise teams in the playoffs. As quarterback Brett Favre, who engineered the winning drive that ended with a Ryan Longwell field goal, says, "When we play up to our standards, I like our chances against anybody."

The offense played up to standards against a weak Minnesota defense. Only one interception, which could have been deadly, marred the offensive performance.

Defensively, the Packers couldn't stop the Vikings most of the day. They did rise to the occasion to stop the Vikes in the second-to-last drive of the game, but the men in purple did as much to stop themselves with two straight penalties in that series.

It's hard to imagine the Packers getting by either the Atlanta Falcons or even the depleted Philadelphia Eagles, playing defense the way they have been. And, it's also hard to imagine them turning it around on defense in just two weeks.

But, the win on Christmas Eve gave the Packers another division title, home field advantage for one game and at least a fighting chance in the playoffs.

Players of the Game

Longwell and Favre get the main honors. It's the fourth time this season they have combined to pull out a win in the closing seconds. Favre has 22 comeback

wins in the last two minutes or overtime in his career.

Favre rates the winning drive right up there with the many thrills he's had in a long, illustrious career. "Right now, it ranks No. 1," says Favre, who was 30 of 43 for 365 yards and three touchdowns.

"I'm going to have to let it soak in. I've played a long time. As disappointing as last week was, I've played long enough just about everything will happen. There were times I thought we couldn't pull it out. That drive right there, it's sort of what our season's all about. We've had ups and downs, but we find a way to endure."

Wide receiver Donald Driver stepped up in the absence of injured Robert Ferguson and had 11 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown.

For the Vikings, former UW player Michael Bennett gained 92 yards on 17 carries and linebacker Chris Claiborne had that interception and return for a TD that at the time looked like it could be the key play.

Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper was 16 of 23 for 285 yards and three touchdowns and has had an overall great season. But, you could see the difference between Culpepper and Favre in the final two drives. The Vikings foundered in what could have been a game winner, and Favre proved that he ranks with Joe Montana and John Elway as the greatest quarterbacks in two-minute drill comebacks in NFL history.

Plays of the Game

Longwell's 29-yard game winner has to get the top award. Favre's completions to Driver, Javon Walker and Tony Fisher in the final drive also have to get high ratings.

The two penalties in the Vikings' last series -- on All Pro center Matt Birk and fullback Sean Burton -- were key.

A wasted challenge by Sherman in the first half could have been a key play because it prevented him from challenging another play in the second half when a Viking seemed to step into the end zone while downing a punt. The Packers were out of challenges, so the play stood. Pinned near his own goal line, Favre threw the interception for a TD.

Goats of the Game

Birk and Burton certainly get a set of horns for their costly penalties. Secondary players on both teams couldn't keep up with receivers and tackled poorly.

Minnesota's receiver Randy Moss was a virtual non-factor and even drew the attention of the FOX announcers, who said he must have been injured or dogging it.

Vikings coach Mike Tice also deserves a set of horns. Some questioned why he punted after the Vikings stalled in the second-to-last series. Why give the ball to Favre with slightly less than two minutes left, especially when he beat the Vikings in a similar fashion earlier in the season?

The Vikings struck early with passes to Nate Burleson and then moved away from those plays to a more conservative play scheme that bogged down. Also, Marcus Robinson, a talented receiver, went virtually ignored all day. Tice, whose job is in jeopardy, has not done enough with the talent the Vikings have.

Next Week

The Packers undoubtedly would like to get some revenge for a loss to the Bears in Lambeau when they wrap up the regular season at Chicago next Sunday. A win also would give the Pack 10 wins for the season.

But, now that the Packers' playoff position is secure, Sherman might be better off resting some players who are dinged up and giving at least part of the game off to Favre, Ahman Green and other players who could be key in the playoffs. Watch for coverage of the Packers in Chicago and in the playoffs in OMC's On the Pack.

Tribute to Reggie

Although this column deals with coverage of the current Packers, this writer feels a tribute to former Packers star Reggie White, who died at 43 over the weekend, is merited.

Brett Favre has been a lasting part of the Packers' success over the last decade or so, but it started with White, already a superstar who decided to sign with the Packers as a free agent. For several years before that, players, especially African American players, avoided Green Bay. Reggie almost single-handedly changed that.

White also became a leader on and off the field of rare magnitude. Whether you were a believer or not, or considered some of his comments politically incorrect, there was no doubting the sincerity of Reggie's beliefs.

This writer was privileged to interview White in his role as a player several times and once about his religious beliefs and desire to have an impact on society beyond his role as a football hero. He was a gigantic man whose heart and sincerity matched his physical stature.