It will be the most surprising loss yet if the 1-3 Vikings don’t defeat 1-3 Dallas on Sunday at Mall of America Field in a game that’s been called the “Panic Bowl.”

Road losses to New Orleans and the Jets, two of the NFL’s better teams, weren’t surprising.  The Vikings’ third loss of the season, against Miami, was unexpected to many observers.

But the loss to Miami came in the second game of the season, or something like pre-season for quarterback Brett Favre who reported late to training camp and found injured star wide receiver Sidney Rice out indefinitely. The Vikings’ offense has lacked consistent productivity in four games, including the team’s win over Detroit, but more practice and game time by Favre, and the addition last week of wide receiver Randy Moss to the roster, should have this unit living up to potential and scoring points on Sunday.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was asked what’s on the line Sunday. “Just finally getting the ball rolling,” he said.  “Even though it was a tough loss on Monday night (Jets), just coming out that second half and being productive offensively really gave us something to look at and compare. This is what the Minnesota offense is all about. We are just focusing on that this week with our preparation and just coming out Sunday and get the job done for four quarters.”

The Vikings are a better team than Dallas and aren’t carrying the burden of heat on the coaching staff where the Cowboys’ Wade Phillips sits on a warm seat. The Vikings beat the Cowboys at Mall of America Field in the playoffs last January and that memory should help their confidence.  So, too, should the support of the Vikings’ crazies in the stands.

“We’re getting ready to face an NFC opponent at home,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. “We really need our crowd to be energetic and loud, even louder, maybe, than the NFC playoff game. That would be outstanding.  Looking forward to it, should be a great game for our fans.”

Before the season the Vikings and Cowboys were supposed to be near the top of the NFC standings, not the bottom.  ESPN sportscaster Mike Tirico has labeled Sunday’s game the “Panic Bowl.”

The team that loses on Sunday may have to forget about playoff dreams and face this reality: a remaining schedule of “Losers Bowls.”

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Interest in Deanna Favre’s 2007 book “Don’t Bet Against Me” has increased during the last several days.  Web sites report the book includes references to past struggles in her relationship with husband Brett, the Vikings quarterback.

The 41-year-old Favre, who has been dealing with pain in his right elbow, has thrown for more than 70,000 career yards.  He has 30 touchdown passes since his 40^th birthday.  In NFL history only Warren Moon, with 37 touchdown passes, has thrown more touchdown passes among players 40 or older.

Running back Adrian Peterson needs 36 more yards on Sunday against Dallas to total 5,000 for his career.  If he does, it will have taken only 51 games to reach 5,000.

Former Vikings quarterback Wade Wilson is the Dallas quarterbacks coach.  Ray Sherman, the ex-Vikings assistant coach, is the Dallas wide receivers coach.  Former Gopher Marion Barber now with the Cowboys has rushed for only 144 yards on 42 carries in four games.  During preseason he saw limited time, too, gaining 23 yards on 12 rushing attempts.

Former Cretin-Derham Hall prep All-American Seantrel Henderson has been starting for Miami as a freshman offensive tackle.

It appeared earlier in the week that a hip flexor injury might prevent Eric Ellestad from kicking extra points and field goals tomorrow when the Gophers play at Purdue.

Troy Stoudermire, a wide receiver earlier in the season, is likely to play as a defensive back tomorrow after a couple weeks of preparation.

Gophers linebacker Ryan Grant talks occasionally with his grandfather Bud Grant but the legendary coach doesn’t attend his games regularly.  Ryan’s dad, Eden Prairie coach Mike, is among a group of “eight to 10” family members who watch him play at TCF Bank Stadium.

Ryan said he often sees his grandfather at family gatherings.  “He has a lot of wisdom about him,” Ryan said.  “If you ever need advice he’s always got something good to say.  He understands things, looks at things a little different than most people do. ..”

The October 11 issue of Sporting News Magazine rates Minneapolis-St. Paul No. 13 among best sports cities.  Chicago is No. 1.

Anticipation is building for the Bethel at St. Thomas game a week from Saturday.  Bethel, 5-0, and St. Thomas, 6-0, are nationally ranked and favorites to win the MIAC.  St. Thomas is at Hamline tomorrow while Bethel plays at home against Gustavus.

Bethel senior linebacker Ross Petterson is the MIAC defensive player of the week after seven tackles and a 28-yard interception for a touchdown helped the Royals defeat Saint John’s last Saturday.  Garrett Engelhardt of St. Thomas is the special teams player of the week for his performance when the Tommies defeated Augsburg.  His blocked punt was a momentum changer on Saturday.  Freshman running back Jeffrey Dubose is the offensive player of the week after gaining 202 yards in Gustavus’ win over Hamline including an 85-yard touchdown run.

You won’t have to wait for future years to see Nebraska at TCF Bank Stadium. The University of Minnesota rugby club hosts Nebraska at the stadium tomorrow afternoon.  More at www.gopherrugby.com

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Former Vikings assistant coach Dean Dalton believes there is a “scenario” in which quarterback Brett Favre returns to play another season for Minnesota.

Favre, who turns 41 Sunday, indicated in August this will be his last season in the NFL.  He struggled to make a decision about playing during the off-season but his competitiveness made him return to a team that was a couple of plays away from making the Super Bowl.

“Will he play or not?”  That’s become an annual question in recent years, first with the Packers and now with the Vikings.  The Vikings, with a disappointing 1-2 record, have 13 regular season games remaining and then presumably the playoffs, too, before we know better what Favre’s future will be.  But Dalton, who follows the NFL closely and hosts a show on Sirius Satellite Radio, told Sports Headliners don’t believe No. 4 is for certain finished wearing purple after this year.

“There’s probably three different types of scenarios,” Dalton said.  “Two of the three, I don’t see Brett coming back.  I think if they win the Super Bowl and hoist the Lombardi Trophy, I think No. 4 will then ride off into the sunset once again a champion.

“I think if they (the Vikings) have a miserable season, or if he physically gets injured to any extreme, I think he’ll just shut it down and drop the flaps on the tent and move back to Mississippi.

“But I do think if they mirror last year, create momentum, have a lot of energy (going) into the playoffs and they’re knocking on the door, or they get to the Super Bowl but they don’t win it, they get close, I think the competitive intensity will be triggered inside him.  Given that he’s healthy, that he would then consider coming back.  Because I think right now he’s frustrated because they haven’t performed as well as they should.”

Dalton’s scenarios and the Favre storyline will develop week to week starting with Monday night’s game against the Jets.  It will be the first game he will play with newly acquired wide receiver Randy Moss.  Favre watchers can know this for certain: the quarterback is happier than a million dollar lottery winner to have Moss for long distance bombing, and also Favre’s not even thinking about next year.

If he were contemplating the future, he probably would be undecided.

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