FELDY: Phersy, our favorite NFL club hits its bye week at a crisp 7-1 this week. Since it feels to me like you're on a bye every week, this would be a good time to talk Purple. How do you feel about the Vikings' new, old quarterback at the halfway point of his 19th season?

PHERSY: It's tough to complain about the quarterback. He looks like he did back in the day, when Feldy was still in diapers (1996-97). Of course, that doesn't mean I've changed my mind about Ego Boy off the field. But I sure do love the results he's providing on the field. Mostly, I love that he's now more game-manager than gunslinger. On a side note Feldy, I'm ready to admit I was wrong about Percy Harvin. We knew he was talented, but his injury history and off-field problems made him a giant gamble. It appears Chili finally hit the jackpot. If Ego Boy isn't the team's mid-season MVP, that award should go to Harvin.

FELDY: Had Favre made his pre-Vikings legacy anywhere other than Green Bay, there would have been far more buzz about Harvin after Sunday's victory over the Packers. He took control of that game and he showed he can take a hit and bounce right back. We knew he was fast, we knew he was a playmaker, but what many of us didn't realize about Harvin is how tough he is. He may hit the rookie wall, but he has earned respect of the fans, coaches and his teammates. He has had a bigger impact for the Vikings than Devin Hester did as a returner for the Bears. But, Phersy, what do you make of the running game at the midway mark?

PHERSY: The Vikings rank 12th in the NFL in rushing yards per game, and their 4.1 yards-per carry average ties them for 17th. Those numbers are fairly pedestrian. So what's going on? With Adrian Peterson and an above average offensive line, most thought AP could rush for close to 2,000 yards. We also were told that their new (old) QB was going to take pressure off Peterson, because teams weren't going to be able to stack the box. It's tough to complain when they're winning, though. If the team was 3-4, then it would be easier to criticize the team's average running numbers.

FELDY: Speaking of 3-4, I wonder if that's part of the problem. The Vikings have faced six 3-4 defensive fronts this season and they maybe have one or two left on their schedule. Favre was able to pick apart those blitzing schemes because, as the Packers' d-backs said, "he knew what was coming and pointed out exactly who was coming." I guess he didn't need training camp after all. Switching sides of the ball, how badly does this team miss Antoine Winfield?

PHERSY: Really badly. Winfield's replacements have been completely inept. Karl Paymah is awful, Benny Sapp isn't much better, and we've seen Asher Allen make some poor plays, too. The bye is coming at the right time, and hopefully Winfield can return healthy next week. While Winfield's replacements have been disappointing, my biggest concern has been the play of the safeties. Those guys, Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams, have to be better. Fans are dreaming big, but can you imagine the Vikings secondary going against New Orleans right now? It would be a blood bath.

FELDY: That could be a 50-48 game with both teams combining for about 20 rushing yards. If they played today, the Vikings would have to play without Paymah, who is still chasing Greg Jennings down the sideline while Aaron Rodgers runs right behind him. The good news is teams aren't going to try to run much against the Vikings' front seven, so the secondary will get plenty of practice over the final eight games. Close it out, Phersy: How deep does the Purple go in the playoffs?

PHERSY: Super Bowl, home boy. Need more? Actually, in my preseason Pigskin Preview picks, I put the Saints in the big game. I'm feeling pretty good about that now, and I'll stick with them beating the Vikes in the NFC title game. But I'd gladly accept being wrong (like usual) if it means a Purple win.

Ben Pherson and Jason Feldman are Post-Bulletin sports writers.

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