Ravens end Vikings playoffs hopes

BALTIMORE (AP) The Minnesota Vikings&#39; flickering playoff hopes were snuffed out by a barrage of precision passes from suddenly effective Kyle Boller.<br> <br> Boller went 24-for-34 for 289 yards and three touchdowns and the Baltimore Ravens eliminated the Vikings from the postseason hunt, 30-to-23. The Vikings loss gave the New York Giants a playoff berth.<br> <br> The 8-and-7 Vikings came up with their worst defensive performance in two months. Minnesota allowed the Ravens to convert ten of 15 third-down opportunities as Baltimore improved to 6-and-9.<br> <br> Baltimore trailed 20-to-17 before Boller threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason with 14:47 left. Then, after Minnesota punted from the Ravens 38, Boller directed a 68-yard drive that produced a 38-yard field goal by Matt Stover with one-55 to go.<br> <br> Mason had nine catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. He has 83 receptions this season, breaking the team record of 76 by Michael Jackson in 1996.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/12/119661