Early this summer, it seems the "it" team, so to speak, is the Minnesota Vikings. The fellas over at WhatIfSports, who specialize in simulating seasons and games over and over and over again until a suitable sample size is reached, have the Vikes going to the NFC title game. Paul Zimmerman, SI.com's respected "Dr. Z," has pegged Minnesota as the cream of the NFC crop.

I write today in a state of shock, surprised that the Vikings are that highly regarded in NFL circles, mainly because their quarterback situation -- you know, typically thought of as the most important position on the field -- is so ... iffy? Is iffy the right word? Unimpressive, perhaps?

Tarvaris Jackson, the third-year pro from Alabama State, completed 58 percent of his passes last year, and tallied nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions. In his third year, these folks want us to believe, he'll make The Leap and lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl?

Says WhatIfSports: "The team seems confident in Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback, and Bernard Berrian was a great pickup, so this phase will be improved. Jackson has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns and his career 58.1% completion rate is not spectacular. Plus, with the best defense and rushing attack in the league and a very strong special teams, the passing game would have to be on par with that of the Colts or Patriots not to be mentioned here."

Not exactly a ringing endorsement, eh?

Says Dr. Z: "There aren't many better situations for a young quarterback than the one in which Jackson now finds himself. (Vikings coach Brad) Childress played the position. He coached on the offensive side for 29 years before getting his head coaching shot at Minnesota two seasons ago. For seven years he was the Eagles QB coach and offensive coordinator. Donovan McNabb made the Pro Bowl in five of those years. When McNabb was hurt during the 2002 season, Childress' offense set a team record for points, using three starting quarterbacks. In 2005, when McNabb tried to struggle on with a sports hernia, Childress practically talked him through it."

Uh, alright.

It seems to me that the Vikings' big trade for the Chiefs' Jared Allen, expected to help the 32nd-ranked pass defense, and "All Day" Adrian Peterson are supposed to be enough to carry the Vikes.

I'm still dubious, so I decided to compare quarterbacks. Keep in mind Jackson's 58% completion percentage and 9/12 touchdown-to-interception ratio, and take a look at last year's playoff starters:

• Tom Brady: 68.9%, 50 TDs/8 INTs
• Peyton Manning: 65.4, 31/14
• Philip Rivers: 60.2, 21/15
• Ben Roethlisberger: 65.3, 32/11
• Vince Young: 62.3, 9/17
• David Garrard: 64, 18/3
• Tony Romo: 64.4, 36/19
• Brett Favre: 66.5, 28/15
• Matt Hasselbeck: 62.6, 28/12
• Jeff Garcia: 63.9, 13/4
• Eli Manning: 56.1, 23/20
• Jason Campbell: 60.0, 12/11

On one hand, you could argue that Jackson compares favorably to a regular-season Eli Manning; on another, you could argue comparing favorably to a regular-season Manning, or Vince Young, is not a good thing.

Like, at all.

If the Vikings' pass defense gets better, their defense could be historically good, and they already have a great running game. Jackson, quite obviously, is the key.

And the 2007 version won't get it done.