Brian Murphy: Vikings ride unselfish, anonymous defense to another victory

Tension was palpable in the Vikings' locker room before Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears, playoff destiny in the same hands trying to wring out anxiety borne of a two-game losing streak and the magnitude of the moment.

Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn could sense his teammates tightening. The team's court jester was having none of that.

"Put a smile on your face!" Munnerlyn ordered. "Let's fly around and have fun. It's just football."

He sanded off the edge by reminding anyone within earshot this was exactly where they want to be in late December, circling the wagons, playing for postseason stakes and embracing their opportunity.

"Yeah, they smiled," Munnerlyn reported.

There was plenty to…