Chris Doleman came out of retirement to spark the Vikings' pass rush.

Yet, they're back in the playoffs in spite of that, largely because they coaxed pass rusher Chris Doleman out of retirement and converted receiver Robert Tate to nickel back.

Both turned into unlikely heroes for the Vikings (10-6), who enter the playoffs having won eight of their last 10 after stumbling to a 2-4 start. The Vikings host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

Doleman recorded eight sacks and joined Reggie White, Bruce Smith and Kevin Greene as the only players with 150 career sacks since the league began keeping the statistic in 1982.

"I'd give up all 150 just to win a Super Bowl," said Doleman, 38, who retired after a 15-sack season in San Francisco last year only to come back to Minnesota, the team that drafted him in 1985, for one final shot at a title.

Doleman quickly worked his way back into shape and once he became an every-down player, John Randle went back inside to tackle, where he ended with a flourish, recording three sacks Sunday to finish in double digits for the eighth consecutive season.

Doleman's play also helped a makeshift secondary that includes strong safety Robert Griffith, rookie cornerback Kenny Wright, second-year player Anthony Bass, who replaced Orlando Thomas (knee) and Tate, who was converted from receiver just a month ago.

Tate, languishing on the bench behind Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Jake Reed and Matthew Hatchette, is now one of the team's big playmakers as both a defensive back and kick returner.

On Sunday, he had his best game yet in the Vikings' 24-17 victory over Detroit that secured home-field advantage for the first round against Dallas.

He made six tackles, broke up two passes, including a lunging swat that saved a touchdown after Griffith, playing deep, was beaten by Germane Crowell, and he made his first career interception, also saving a TD.

Plus, he had kickoff returns of 37 and 47 yards.

"He can electrify the crowd in a lot of different ways," coach Dennis Green said.

Defensive coordinator Foge Fazio said Tate, who impressed his coaches and teammates with his special teams tackling, has injected the defense with an energy that had eluded them most of the year.

"He competes like hell, and he's just a fun guy to be around," Fazio said.

In three games as the left cornerback when the Vikings go with five defensive backs, Tate has made 16 tackles and broken up five passes and has yet to be burned on a big play.

Yet, Tate knows he'll be targeted in the playoffs. As a former offensive player, he said it's the right move to attack the newcomer.

"Any time a wide receiver moves to DB, you have to try to test him," Tate said. "If you keep playing your cards right, they are going to leave you alone sooner or later."

Tate said the improved pass rush, led by Doleman, who had a team-high and season-best seven tackles Sunday, has taken some pressure off him.

"It's great to have that pressure up front from him," Tate said. "That makes our jobs much easier. Chris Doleman is amazing to be playing this well since coming out of retirement. He's a real leader by example."

And Tate has made his own impact with his solid play at nickel back.

Cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock said Tate is playing on pure instincts and doesn't even comprehend some of the things he's doing so well.