To me, the two most significant moves of the offseason to date have been the Patriots' re-signing of WR Randy Moss and the Vikings' trade for Chiefs DE Jared Allen. The Moss re-signing means the Patriots' offense again has the ability to be special. If they don't win the AFC East by daylight, it would be a major upset.

The Allen trade isn't quite on the level of Moss' return; Moss is a Hall of Fame talent, while Allen has a ways to go before we start using that adjective to speak of him. But Allen was, without a doubt, the best pass rusher in football last season, and perhaps the best defensive player in the game.

Now he joins a defensive line that stuffs the run like nobody's business but wasn't a top-flight QB-pressuring group.

Now it is, especially if another D-end, perhaps Ray Edwards, steps up, too.

How are you going to run on the Vikings? Passing on them has been the way to go, but any improvement in that area would make Minnesota's defense all the more tough.

In my view, they are in good position to grab at least a wild-card spot, and maybe more, in the NFC.

At last check, the Over/Under on Vikings' wins at the Venetian was 8, and bettors only had to lay -105 if they wanted to bet on Minnesota to make the playoffs. I'd have to think sharp bettors would have to like the Vikings' postseason chances a little more after Allen was added to the fold.