The Minnesota Vikings finally fired head coach Brad Childress on Monday. Childress had led the Vikings to a disappointing 3-7 record, and it seemed like he lost control of the team weeks ago. That's part of why it's so surprising it took this long for Childress to be fired, but the move only happened after the coach-killing Green Bay Packers came to town and destroyed Minnesota at the Metrodome.
The Lions host the Vikings in the final game of the season on Jan. 2. It could very well be Brett Favre's final game if he actually makes it to the end of the season, which I don't expect. I would bet on him retiring in the next couple of weeks, as it's probably only a matter of time before interim coach Leslie Frazier benches him. At this point it just makes more sense to start Tarvaris Jackson and build toward the future, especially since Favre has looked like crap most of the season.
When the Lions play Minnesota, it will be their second game against a team with an interim coach. As you all know, Detroit played Dallas and interim coach Jason Garrett on Sunday. Garrett replaced Wade Phillips and the Cowboys have won two games since, so I'm sure the Vikings are hoping for the same thing to happen with Frazier now at the helm.
Minnesota plays at Washington on Sunday, and with the Lions not having a game since they play on Thanksgiving, it will be interesting to sit back and see if Frazier replacing Childress does have any effect on the Vikings. I have a feeling it won't as long as Favre is still starting at QB, but I guess we shall see.