Things are now a little more interesting in a train wreck of a NFC North Division after the Vikings triumphed, er, won 28-27 against the Packer Sunday.

It was an underwhelming game outside of Adrian Peterson having a mammoth day, rushing for 192 yards and scoring the game winning touchdown. But more importantly it opened up the division again.

The Vikings were in danger of falling completely out of the race with a loss because they wouldn’t hold any tiebreakers over any team in contention.

Minnesota has one more tilt against Chicago, which will be important for that tiebreaker if it comes down to that, which it may not considering the schedules the Bears, Packers and Vikings have.

The Bears get Green Bay this weekend and then travel to lowly St. Louis, face Minnesota at the Metrodome, host Jacksonville, New Orleans and Green Bay before finishing against Houston on the road. The Vikings are the only team Chicago has left to play that is above .500, but Green Bay, Jacksonville, and New Orleans are all at 4-5 right now.

Green Bay finishes with four home games over the final seven games. The Packers (4-5) have Chicago at home, travel to New Orleans, host Carolina and Houston. Green Bay travels to Jacksonville and Chicago before finishing with Detroit.

Minnesota may have the stiffest test of all, beginning with Tampa Bay Sunday. The Bucs are 6-3 and are playing top-notch run defense. Tampa is allowing 99.3 yards a game, but has given up one rushing touchdown this season. That doesn’t really bode well.

The Buccaneer pass defense is ranked No. 5 in the league, the Vikings pass offense No. 20.

This week is about as crucial as it gets for the Vikings. A Minnesota win and a Chicago loss would go a long way. If that doesn’t happen, then the Purple falls behind a game it might not be able to make up in time.

The Bears and Vikings meet again in three weeks, but Chicago could be two games up by that point, assuming the Bears defeat Green Bay and the Rams. Minnesota would be faced with another tall task with Jacksonville after Tampa Bay. Despite its 4-5 record Jacksonville is still a dangerous team. All five of the Jags’ losses have come by seven or fewer points.

The Bears have the probably the soffest schedule with St. Louis and Houston left, but quarterback Kyle Orton’s return remains in question. He may be able to return Sunday against the Packers — it would be a big boost for Chicago.

Still who knows what becomes of this division. Each division opponent the Vikings has faced has been decided by a touchdown or less. The Bears had a tough first seven weeks to the season and came out 4-3 — not great, but each loss was by three points or fewer.