After tie with Packers, Vikings lament another lost late lead in season full of them

Green Bay Packers' Jarrett Boykin (11) catches a pass in front of Minnesota Vikings' Chris Cook (20) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. The game ended in a tie, 26-26. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps) (The Associated Press)

Green Bay Packers' Davon Housebreaks up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings' Cordarrelle Patterson during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. The game ended in a tie, 26-26. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) (The Associated Press)

The Minnesota Vikings have little left to play for, with a fan base largely focused on positioning for next year's draft pick.

Their competitiveness hasn't waned despite a 2-8-1 record, but their late-game command has sure been missing. They wasted a 23-7 lead at Green Bay that lasted until less than 12 minutes remained in regulation on Sunday and missed several opportunities to win the game after the Packers caught up.

Four times this season, the Vikings have held a lead inside the 1-minute mark and failed to win. If those four finishes were reversed, well, the Vikings would be 6-5 and tied for first place in the now-unremarkable NFC North.

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AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org