Sizing up the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings offense finished the season ranked 17th overall while the defense was sixth, the highest since the 1994 season.

The Vikings pass offense, though, was just 25th and the run offense was fifth.

The Vikings pass defense was 18th -- the highest since 2001 -- and the run defense was first for a third consecutive season.

Meanwhile, the Eagles finished the season as one of the league's most balanced teams. The offense was ninth overall, while the defense was third.

Vikings key players:

QB Tarvaris Jackson - Think DMac is inaccurate? Watch this guy.
RB Adrian Peterson - Best pure runner in football.
RB Chester Taylor - One of the better third down backs in football.
FB Nafu Tahi - Good blocker; little threat as an outlet receiver.
LG Steve Hutchinson - Best guard in pro football.
LT Bryant McKinnie - Can struggle with speed rushers.
OC Matt Birk - Six-time Pro Bowler is not quite what he used to be.
RG Anthony Herrera - Road-grader in the running game.
RT Ryan Cook - One of the worst tackles in football; Eagles need to exploit him.
WR Bernard Berrian - Big play machine, averages over 20 yards a catch.
WR Bobby Wade - Good from the slot; not much of a threat on the outside.
WR Sidney Rice - 6-foot-4, red zone threat.
TE Visanthe Shiancoe - One of the most improved players in the NFL; good dual-threat tight end.
TE Jim Kleinsasser - One of the better blocking tight ends in the NFL.

RDE - Jared Allen - One of the top pure pass rushers in football.
DT - Kevin Williams - Best two-day DT in NFL.
NT - Pat Williams - Key to the Vikings No. 1 run defense. Has been out with a broken scapula but says he wants to play. Watch the injury report.
LDE - Ray Edwards - Underrated but banged-up.
DT - Ellis Wyms - Inside pass rusher on nickel downs.
DE - Brian Robison - Good edge pass rusher.
SSL - Chad Greenway - Former first round pick is a very good all-around linebacker.
WSL - Ben Leber - Took over calling the defense after EJ Henderson got hurt. Another good all-around 'backer.
LC - Antoine Winfield - Pro Bowler, best tackling corner in the game. Can be beat on double moves.
RC - Cedric Griffin - Weak link of the Vikings defense.
FS - Madieu Williams - Excels in pass coverage.
SS - Darren Sharper - Veteran centerfielder; can take bad angles.
NB - Benny Sapp - Overaggressive, penalty prone.