The Division Race Could Be Over Soon. Really Soon.
by Gonzo on Nov 11, 2009 8:55 AM CST
in Vikings 2009 Season
69 comments
How soon? Well, how does Week 12 work for you?
In an entry on his blog this morning, Kevin Seifert points out to us how the NFC North divisional race could be over before the calendar hits 1 December. How? Well, a few different things would have to happen, none of which are entirely unfeasible at this point. According to Seifert, the things that would have to happen are as follows:
1) Minnesota would have to win their next three games to move their record to 10-1.
Thankfully, Minnesota has a three-game homestand coming out of their bye week, and none of those games are against teams that are playing particularly well. After the Vikings (hopefully) beat the Detroit Lions on Sunday, they have games against the Seattle Seahawks (currently 3-5) and the Chicago Bears (4-4) at the Metrodome. The Vikings should be favored in all three of those games, and probably heavily favored in the first two. . .heck, I've seen lines that show Minnesota as a 16.5-point favorite over Detroit (for entertainment purposes only, of course). Seattle has been abysmal on the road this year as well, sporting an 0-3 mark thus far and losing those three road games by an average of 17 points.
2) Chicago would have to lose one of their next two, in addition to their Week 12 matchup against Minnesota
The Bears have to turn around on a short week and fly out to the west coast to take on the San Francisco 49ers tomorrow night. (I almost feel bad for. . .wait, no I don't.) The Niners are reeling a bit, having lost four straight after getting off to a 3-1 start, but the Bears are reeling as well, having given up 40+ points in two of the last three weeks. After that, Chicago gets a little bit of extra time to plan for a home game against Philadelphia, (tenatively) scheduled for Sunday night, part of the NFL's inexplicable "Hey, let's try to get the Bears on in prime time as much as possible" strategy.
In any case, a loss for the Bears to either of their next two opponents and a loss to the Vikings would leave them at 5-6, and incapable of finishing any better than 4-2 against the NFC North, thanks to their Week 1 loss to the Packers. Speaking of Green Bay. . .
3) Green Bay would have to lose two of their next three games
It's tough to determine how many "easy" wins are on the Packers' schedule right now, what with them just having lost to the last winless team in the NFL. However, this seems like the least likely of the three things we would need to have happen to occur. On Sunday, the Packers will host a Dallas Cowboys team that is leading the NFC East and is riding a four-game winning streak since starting the season 2-2. It's going to be some tough sledding for the Packers to win that one, and frankly I'm not sure if they can do it. A loss there would put us halfway to what we would need.
However, the Packers' two games after that are a bit easier, with them hosting San Francisco and then getting a trip to Detroit on Thanksgiving. The Niners will probably give them some trouble, and Thanksgiving in the Motor City for the Packers has always been a bit of a minefield, but there's a pretty good chance of the Packers winning both of those games, in my opinion. But if the Packers were to fall to Dallas and to either Detroit or San Francisco, they would also be staring at a record of 5-6, and they've already been swept by the Vikings head-to-head.
So, if all three of these things played out over the next couple of weeks, the Vikings could go 0-5 over the last five weeks of the season to drop to 10-6, and if either Green Bay or Chicago ran the table to get themselves to 10-6 as well. . .they can't both run the table, as they have a head-to-head matchup in Week 14. . .the Vikings would remain ahead of the Packers on the strength of head-to-head record, and they would stay ahead of the Bears on the strength of division record (a Minnesota victory over Chicago in Week 12 would mean Minnesota couldn't finish worse than 5-1 against the NFC North, while a Chicago loss in that game would mean they couldn't finish better than 4-2 inside the division). Hence, the Vikings would sew up the NFC North division title after their upcoming victory over the Bears in Week 12.
Basically, it's not a matter of if the NFC North division race is over. . .it's a matter of when it's going to be over. We're Niner fans for the next couple of weeks for sure, as they'll be taking on both of our "closest" competitors, so hopefully they can help us out a bit on that front.
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Counting chickens like this makes me nervous!
We obviously have the division in a headlock right now, but we’re only halfway through the season! I firmly believe that the Vikings will run away with the NFC North, but this can only anger the Football Gods. You should know better Gonzo—this is still the Vikings we’re taking about! Write this article in a few weeks when we’re certain of a title! :)
by ericj69 on Nov 11, 2009 9:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
We WILL be certain of a title
In three or four weeks, just like the post says. (-:
The Daily Norseman - The greatest Vikings' site on the Internet!
by Gonzo on Nov 11, 2009 9:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If the Vikes win the next three games
It won’t matter what the Bears or the Packers do. The division window will be all but closed, and the race for the NFC North would be pretty much over.
by Belarus on Nov 11, 2009 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1 for eric. The jinx factor surrounding this is making me queasy.
In the greatest tradition of theatre, a Black Adder skit and more recently a MADtv skit – I suggest we collectively hold a counter-juju ritual (after saying MacBeth or good luck, etc for those not getting what i’m saying). Probably something along the lines of saying skol while crossing axes and rhyming about plundering. :-)
We are the vikings.......resistance is futile.
by Hoss-Drone on Nov 11, 2009 9:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
along same lines
I thought all this was pretty well covered already in the “how to win on a bye week” thread, but …. ok. I guess if you want to ram the point home for anyone who missed it the first time.
by puddnhead on Nov 11, 2009 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
relax ericj69
Wait until the playoffs to be nervous. It really doesn’t matter if we win the division in week 12,13,14
etc. If we don’t win our division we aren’t going anywhere anyway. This team has the talent & many a Viking team in the past has had the talent to go all the way also. Its the playoffs where 1 game at a time determines your fate. Gonzo’s right the title is ours. It would not matter if Pack & Da Bears were right on our heals. We are the best team in this division. Haven’t you seen the Pack & Da Bears play? Relax enjoy the rest of the season & then you can get nervous.
Don’t start getting nervous now you’ll end up in the looney bin before the seasons over.
by iowaron on Nov 11, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hehehe....
We Vikings fans should be elated… but we won’t be.
One game at a time, play your guts out team…leave your entire being on the field… and let the chips fall where they may.
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Nov 11, 2009 9:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Here here....A bit of caution/humility...
That is the spirit we need as we move forward….
The division is ours….but that will not satiate our hungry Vikes…
We need to kill the next three teams…dominate and improve/fine tune…
Prepare ourselves for the war to follow winning the weekly battles over the next 8 weeks…
No sense in winning all these battles unless we go for the whole enchilada…
Absolutely SB W is end game…..but first let’s get these battles out of the way…
Here here ArizonaVikingFan!
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Nov 11, 2009 9:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Love the confidence/optimism......
but I have to agree with Ericj69 on this one. Lets take it one game at a time.
by PurpleCrush on Nov 11, 2009 9:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Capital E is fine too
My name is Eric and I’m using a sign-on name that I started using when I was 15 (13 years ago), so calling me Eric is just fine too. The 69 is a little awkward these days, but now I can just play it off for being a huge Jared Allen fan right?
by ericj69 on Nov 11, 2009 9:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
Maybe there are 68 more erics out there…..
Personally think 69 is fine…
; )
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Nov 11, 2009 9:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
HaHa
69 @ 15. Where was your young mind at?
"Skol pa fiskande"
by NobleSavage on Nov 11, 2009 1:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not to far away from where it usually is now
But I’m a little more discreet about it these days. Besides the gratuitous T&A pictures in my weekly picks articles of course. :)
by ericj69 on Nov 11, 2009 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
69 Jared Allen yeah right
We all know what 69 is about. I’m a 71 fan myself. That’s 69 with 2 fingers up her assterik.
by iowaron on Nov 11, 2009 3:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought we were supposed to keep politics off of this blog...
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Nov 11, 2009 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You guys are "cracking" me up : P
Oooof….
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Nov 11, 2009 8:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lions, & Seahawks & Bears OH MY
Please, Please, Somebody slap Purple Crush. Bottom line if we can’t beat these guys on our home turf then going to the Superbowl ain’t going to happen either.
by iowaron on Nov 11, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree iowaron........
we should beat all 3 of these teams, but I keep hearing about 10-1 in three weeks and I don’t think we should get ahead of ourselves. One game at a time. I also stated in a different post yesterday that the vikes would go 8-0 at home this year. That is what good teams do.
by PurpleCrush on Nov 11, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I like exploring the possibilities like this.
I also think that being “superstitious” or what-have-you about this kind of stuff is silly — the outcome of the season isn’t going to change based on blog posts on ESPN, DN, or any other site. It’s not like the pre-season predictions by the “experts” of the Packers being Super Bowl contenders has anything to do with the fact that they aren’t even close to Super Bowl contenders…. they just aren’t and never were this year.
It gives us something to talk about and is fun to think about. Seems totally reasonable to me that this could happen, too. I totally agree that the last scenario involving the Packers is the most difficult, but I think Green Bay will find a way to lost to SF following it’s loss to Dallas, especially if SF can stick it to Chicago tomorrow nigh. And if it doesn’t happen and we don’t get it by week 12, I’m sure at some point we’ll lock it up…. I don’t think there is any question there.
by Figgs on Nov 11, 2009 9:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Superstitious retribution
I don’t know, Figgs. You might want to be careful there. As often seems the case with real life religion, those that mock the football gods tend to suddenly become conduits for unexpected figurative lightning strikes.
by Jayrome007 on Nov 11, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good thing I'm not mocking and that I don't believe in football "gods" or superstition.
:-)
But, I do believe in the God of the Bible and His ability to humble the proud….. major difference though.
by Figgs on Nov 11, 2009 10:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
long story short
the proud and pompous get brought low. Best life strategy (personally vetted by TEP) is to work and strive for the best outcome and highest goal, expect nothing and be happy. Anything else is just begging for your personal world to be realigned. Which I hear is quite painful.
by TheEvilProfessor on Nov 11, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
expect nothing and be happy
Like thinking we’ve got the division locked up by week 12? As in, the whole point of this article?
by Jayrome007 on Nov 11, 2009 7:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If I was commenting specifically on the main point of the article
I would have had my post in a new thread. General point is focus on your real end goal (like superbowl) and what you need to do as a team to get there. And not simply win the division and lock up a berth, but how to play a better more complete game.
by TheEvilProfessor on Nov 12, 2009 8:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeppers....
Agree….
Now, having agreed, think if we focus week to week, while improving on the journey, we will be fine….Every game ahead is “winnable”….is a matter of taking care of the week at hand, again week to week focus….
Obviously we want to keep the overall long term goals (SB W) in eyesight as well…BUT all in all neither week to week nor SB concerns matter in reality….because…
This team makeup is better than the 70’s or the 90’s….and more-so than what I remember from the teams of those decades, our current Viking team has the determination/belief/will/skill/drive to… “go….all…the….way” – they are hungry, talented, and focused….
Having said all of the above, I DO hope they do not let themselves fall into the “legend in their own mind” trap….As Evil Prof states, can be quite a rude awakening if they begin to get swelled heads…TEP, myself, and probably half the world can attest on this point…
No worries…we have Favre at the helm….The guy who has been there, done that, and lived to tell the story/do it again/make believers of the younger team-mates/bring Viking fans to their closure….Because of him, and the talent we have, I am convinced this is the season, after sooooooooo many letdowns….SB W baby!!!!!!!!!!
But I also believe in Santa Claus…Could it be I am disillusioned/delusional?
No matter, this is a GREAT year to be a Viking fan…
: )
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Nov 11, 2009 8:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely a great year to be
a vikings fan. This will buy them a new stadium, which is why it wouldn’t suprise me if they do win the superbowl this year. Not to mention it would be in the NFL’s best interest if the Vikings stay in MN. Loyal fan base, great TV ratings (especially when we play the packers) and there is a reason that every team leaves LA.
Nothing sells a community on a new stadium like a Superbowl win. Get it done Ziggy.
by TheEvilProfessor on Nov 12, 2009 8:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If there's a 'fix' in the NFL...
there are plenty of reasons for the chips to fall the Vikings way…
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Nov 12, 2009 10:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
How short our memories can be.
We all remember the following:
Year Start Final Record
1997 8-2 9-7
2000 11-2 11-5
2003 6-0 9-7
2004 5-1 9-8
2006 4-2 6-10
If there’s any franchise out there who should not be counting their respective chickens, it’s the Vikes.
Granted the above scenario is not that unlikely, and this team is different than those teams in the past. Most of those teams were pass first and hope to outscore the opponent, while this team can play good fundamental football. Our ability to run and stop the run should help us in January, and the offense seems to get more dynamic every week. However, I am going to take a position of cautious optimism untill I see a few more quality wins.
That being said, this team is extremely fun to watch and I am loving this year so far. GO VIKES!
by OregonVike on Nov 11, 2009 10:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
that 2000 team was pretty damn good though
by clinton p on Nov 11, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Right up until they mailed it in in the Meadowlands
Everything they did that season was negated by 41-doughnut.
"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."
--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre
by MilCardFan on Nov 11, 2009 2:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Gods have been appeased...
The counter to the chicken counting has to count for something.
This team seems poised to continue to improve. The media and public at large is anticipating a late season Favre collapse, his goals are still largely unrealized. AP, though satisfied with winning can’t be satisfied with his YTD production; neither can or should B.B. Rice on the other hand is only finally cashing in on his potential, we still don’t know how good he can be yet. Harvin is a rookie role player, albeit he has an ever expanding role, he still has to play football every week to earn his keep. Shainco finds himself in a situation where he needs to take advantage of every opportunity he gets. On defense: Allen flat out enjoys what he does. The Williams wall is thankful to be playing. EJ is reasserting himself and Greenway is still making his own case as one of the best backers in the league. Winfield is the consumate Pro. Childress is mounting his best ‘told ya so’ case for a long term extension.
No one involved with this organization has reason to be complacent. I think the goals are well defined at this point. Looking at how this season has progressed you see the week in week out development and no evidence it will cease. Good things.
by LoveHate on Nov 11, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Superstitious or not
It is great to watch the Vikes this year. Personally I have counted the chickens.
by Belarus on Nov 12, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Joe O
Speaking of Super Bowl predictions, it’s nice to see at least one expert redress his prediction of the Packers heading to Miami. Don Banks of SI reminded readers that he did just that. That prognostication is not looking so good right now.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/11/10/midseason/
Joe O
Minnesota Vikings Examiner
Go Vikes!
by Joe O on Nov 11, 2009 10:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Who cares about the division
Personally, Im not the least bit concerned with winning the NFCN. I hate to get ahead of myself here, but one way or the other we will make the playoffs. What we do need to be concerned about though is prying homefield advantage out of the clenching grip of New Orleans. They have to lose eventually, right? If we can’t play them here in the playoffs, I don’t know if we can win. They are deadly right now.
by Jayrome007 on Nov 11, 2009 10:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
They’ve been giving up huge leads to not-so great teams. They aren’t invincible. When Brees struggles, they’re able to get by on their run game, which is one of our strengths on defense. I think we match up very well with them, actually. I think we match up well with anyone, really.
by Frost on Nov 11, 2009 10:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
key word right now
We will just have to wait & see. Any team can be beat. Any. Ask the Patriots about their 18-0 season. Oops 18-1
by iowaron on Nov 11, 2009 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Divisional Race is 100% Irrelavant
For the Vikings to lose the division they would have to finish awful. The only reason for this to happen would be a catastrophic string of injuries. This team is just too talented and well coached (yeah, I said it) and our opponents too weak for this thing to not get done.
For the Vikings to lose the division would mean that it doesn’t matter that they lost it. They’d have to suck so bad that I wouldn’t care if they went to the playoffs or not.
So yeah it isn’t a done deal but to lose it they’d have to be so bad that I wouldn’t care at that point anyways.
by Sand0 on Nov 11, 2009 10:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I just want a #1 or #2 seed
That’s one less game and if NO gets the other top seed, it assures that we don’t have to play outside until Miami.
by ericj69 on Nov 11, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
NO is a dome
I totally forgot about that. You’re right. How cushy (and awesome!) would that be to never have Ol’ Man Winter meet Ol’ Man Favre.
by Jayrome007 on Nov 11, 2009 7:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, except at Chicago, but I don’t mind losing that game at this point. Won’t matter much either way.
by Jayrome007 on Nov 11, 2009 7:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, that was the exact point i made on the “how to win on a bye week” thread, also that I had moved on to focusing on who’s winning or losing amongst our competition for the #2 seed, form caring much whether any divisional opponents won or lost.
In fact, I argued there that it would be better for Vikings if they did NOT mathematically lock up division that quickly, because that would mean that the other teams are losing more, and all that does at this point re: the division is to make them tougher next year due to higher draft picks. “Be careful what you wish for.”
by puddnhead on Nov 11, 2009 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
you nailed it
If we screwed up the division I’m sure we would screw up any playoff game also.
by iowaron on Nov 11, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
With the way the packers and Bears are reeling right now
contrasted to how well the Vikings are playing, this is more than feasible. I am as scarred and skittish a Vikings fan there is, going back to the early 70’s, but this team has a completely different vibe than any other, even the ’98 team.
The ‘98 team was the most entertaining, but this is the most…complete…team I’ve ever seen in the Vikes, at least through 8 weeks. They very much give off the vibe of the early and mid 1970’s Purple People Eaters. You knew they were going to win, they knew they were going to win, and their opponent knew they were going to win. Playing the game was just a formality in many cases.
When the offense needs a score, they get it. When the defense needs to make a stop, they do. When the special teams needs to make a big play to change momentum, they get do.
No, this division race was over when Favre signed. If they stay injury free, they might lose one or two more games because of the ‘Any Given Sunday’ theory, but this team has much bigger lutefisk to choke down than a division title.
It really doesn’t matter wht the Packers and Bears do at this point. They’re done.
"We're used to Favre-a-palooza now. We're engulfed in Favre-a-palooza. It's not even Favre-a-palooza anymore. He's family now."
--Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe, on Brett Favre
by MilCardFan on Nov 11, 2009 11:12 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
+ +
very true…
I BELIEVE...
by ArizonaVikingsFan on Nov 11, 2009 11:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
couldn't have said it better myself.
It’s Superbowl Champions or bust. We have a long history of or bust. Hey what can you say. Lets take another shot at it. We all know this team is the real deal. So quit whining about the division its in the bag. We have bigger fish to fry. Should be nice weather in Miami come February. Enjoy the ride boys & girls. Hopefully this one we can ride to the very end.
by iowaron on Nov 11, 2009 3:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Jim Marshall's Comment
Jim made a statement about the 1969 team that the other team would score and the Vikings defense would start laughing. The other team would say, “Why are you laughing? We just scored a touchdown!” and Jim Said, “Yeah, but we’re still going to win!” Classic.
by purplegrey on Nov 14, 2009 5:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
what do you mean over soon it was over before it started
no team can really challenge anytime they face a team with adecent record they get creamed especially da bears who are awful.the cards exposed them for what we thought they were.lol slow and terribly defense and no recievers.we just need to focus on winning as many as possible and hope the saints lose a few so we get home field through out.worry about our own games.
by clinton p on Nov 11, 2009 12:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It should be a race for the home-field advantage
I’d like to ask a terrifying question: can the Vikings finish with the best record in the NFC? :)
Forbidding a major meltdown, the Vikings should finish no worse than 13-3, and possible 15-1. I’d say they can face one “possible” loss and one “fluke” loss.
The possible one is at Chicago – divisional opponent, their field, cold outside.
The fluke loss can be vs. Bengals or at Arizona. Both these teams can show up on any given day (I hope they don’t).
At the beginning of the season I thought that the game vs. Giants would be a non-issue since they would wrap up NFC East by then. It might be a non-issue since they won’t be in contention. (I hope that’s the case).
Based on that, the Vikings should have a first round bye – NFC West is not too strong, and NFC East will slaughter each other’s records.
But by the same token, I’m guessing the Saints won’t finish worse than 15-1. Games vs. New England and Dallas are at home, possible away loss at Atlanta. If they do get a single loss, hope it’s Dallas or Atlanta – gives us an edge in the conference record.
by DZA on Nov 11, 2009 12:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It won't matter if Giants are already out of contention
They will play just as hard as if they were chasing a playoff spot. Maybe harder. No way those players don’t want to do something that will turn down all the overheated crap they’d get from the NY press the next 9 months.
by puddnhead on Nov 11, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
adrian peterson
has had some of his best games against bears im not concerned
I would have a signature... but it could cause a schism on this site
by Grape Drank on Nov 11, 2009 2:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I like the confidence....
but it’s still very very early. This whole scenario is blown up if the Vikings fail to beat the Lions. I know it seems like a given, but in the NFL anything is possible. Yes we have Favre, and this is a new year, but if any of you remember last year, the Vikings were very close to be the ONLY team in the NFL to lose to Detroit last season (twice!!!). So as a leery Viking fan I am excited for the second half of the season, but I will not count my eggs before they hatch.
by TSAX on Nov 11, 2009 12:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bears Season Is Over Already
Congrats to the new winners, not only of the division, but of the conference and the Super Bowl as well.
I was born and raised in Chicago and have been a Bears fan my whole life. But why bother playing the Vikes or anybody else for that matter for the rest of this year? Why don’t they just forfeit the rest of their games this year, start practicing now with a whole new team (including coaches), and concentrate on getting healthy? Then, MAYBE by the start of next year they will be ready to compete.
Seriously, though. Congrats on the way the Vikings have been playing this year. If the Bears can’t do it, I’d like to see the Vikes go all the way!
by Bruthabuz on Nov 11, 2009 2:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
thank you
I appreciate your candor and I feel for the Bears season as much as I like beating the crap out of the pack and the Bears, I enjoy beating strong, healthy teams much more than sacking a team beset by injury and on and off the field issues.
Actually I really feel for you because other than free agency I don’t see a way for you to fill the holes that have appeared in your defense. God help you with Cutler as well Lovie had better start taking the reins up with him or he’s going to be a big issue in a city like Chicago. The Broco’s fans might have boo’d him but Chicago’s fans might just leave him floating in a very large lake….
by Grime on Nov 11, 2009 3:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My sentiments exactly
First of all, thanks for the support….
Your take on the situation is similar to what I would have/have had in past decades/years….
If we can’t do it, and another Mid-West team can, when push comes to shove, by golly….
I would rather any of our teams win the SB over say New England, the Giants, or Miami, etc…..
Hope is what I have on the SB W you mention more or less presented as a given…let’s see!
See you in the Dome (figuratively of course, darn the luck for me)!
SKOL!
I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...
by vikingfanfrom afar on Nov 11, 2009 8:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
home field
We’ve got the division, what I want is home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
by kenbomc on Nov 11, 2009 2:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
So, in other words
It really really sucks to be the Bears or Packers! MUH HAHAHAHAHAHA
"That is the craziest sonofabitch I ever saw, how many more like him do you think are up there?"
by VikesFaninNM on Nov 11, 2009 3:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This is Great! Why you may ask?
Favre only has to play 3 more complete games until he can rest and prepare for the playoffs!
If this happens Favre will stay healthy and be playing 3 quarters max with T.Jack and Sage fighting for 4th quarter playing time. Wishful thinking i know, but it could happen.
By the way… skrew the jynx! This team is for Real and they are going to be battling the Saints and whoever gets hot late on the road to Miami.
by solafide on Nov 11, 2009 6:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Get used to #2
While contemplating how unfortunately easy it appears it will be for the Vikings to win the NFC North, I had to stop and quickly compare where we’ll be in comparison to the fast break Saints. When looking at the Vikings schedule the rest of the season you see the next two games as “easy” games. While we all know that there are no such games in the League you have to figure Minnesota makes it to 9-1. From there we start to really see what this team is made of. Despite everything that they’ve done so far, you have to figure the Bears are going to be more than ready to play this game. I think it turns out to be a much better game that some will anticipate but the Vikes get it done and get to 10-1.
The Saints get a pair of their own “easy” games the next two weeks as trips to St. Louis and Tampa should provide very little drama. That shiny 10-0 record will get it’s toughest test of the year in week 12 when they host the Patriots. Vikings fans, this is one that we need. If the Pats slay the mighty Saints we could pull even at 10-1. The Deadskins should get the Saints back on track, but a trip to the ATL may be just what the Vikings need to get a shot at that top seed. I say that Saints sit at 11-2 with three to play.
Being a realist I suspect that this final push through playoff calibur teams somehow ends up with Minnesota getting a push. Whether we lose in Arizona and beat the Bengals, or the other way around I still see us being tied with the Saints at 11-2 coming down the stretch. Now’s when the Vikings have to be careful. Coming off two straight playoff type atmosphere games and having to travel to Charlotte to play an out of contention, but talented Carolina team right before Christmas is a major slip up oppurtunity. If AP and company look past this game to the big Monday Nighter in Chicago then you can probably settle for being number two. I again think Minnesota takes the split and we head into Week 17 with a 12-3 record.
Circle Week 15 on the Saints schedule as perhaps their biggest game of the year. If they can come home after playing 4 of 5 on the road and beat Jerry’s Boys, then 14-2 seems to be given. Tampa Bay will having nothing to play for by the 16th week and Brees will see just enough action the last week to beat Carolina. Minnesota will know going into the Giants game that they still have a shot at homefield with both games being played at 1 ET. 13-3 heading into the post season will get them at least one home game, but unfortunately I think that Minnesota is going to have to travel to Bourbon Street if they want to get to the Super Bowl.
by Squints'Sox on Nov 11, 2009 10:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Fine by me
I wouldn’t mind a Vikings/Saints NFC Championship in the Big Easy. After all, that’s only an hour and a half drive from my place. (-:
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by Gonzo on Nov 12, 2009 7:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
History
Looking back over the years the Vikings have always seemed to have the Saints number. They went into New Orleans in the playoffs after the 1987 season as a huge underdog and came out with a big win. The game was never close. Last year was another good example and this year’s team is better.
by purplegrey on Nov 14, 2009 5:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
With a 3 game lead on the Bears and a 3 (1/2) lead on the Packers right now…. If they can somehow figure out a way to NOT win the division they don’t deserve and won’t be playing well enough to be in the playoffs anyway. We will see……
by ryanjm183 on Nov 12, 2009 5:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I believe the kids today would simply say
“This.”
If the Vikings somehow manage to blow THIS lead and THIS opportunity, then they don’t deserve it.
Not to say that it can’t happen, mind you. . .but I certainly wouldn’t expect it.
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by Gonzo on Nov 12, 2009 7:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Down to 7 in the NFC
While no one has been eliminated yet, I think it is clear that this year there are only 7 teams competing for 6 playoff spots in the NFC.
The VIKES, SAINTS AND CARDS ALL IN AS DIVISIONAL WINNERS.
Remaining for winners: Dallas, NYG and Phili fighting it out for the east with the losers fighting Atlanta for the 2 wild cards spots. The rest are in one of the other three catagories.
1. Never Got Started: Skins (Florio’s PFT pick for the Superbowl), Lions, Bucs, Rams
2. Done: Bears, Packers
3. Not Bad enough to be eliminated yet, not good enough to overtake the remaining four winners. Panthers, Seattle, 49’s ( 49’s should be at 2. but their coach puts them at 3.
Some years with 1 or 2 weeks to go almost everyone has a chance I think this year most of the drama will be gone. Of course the focus for the VIKES (after they wrap the division up in week 12 or 13) is to try to get the bye.
by ZygiZag on Nov 13, 2009 1:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
As I see the second half of the NFC Season......
Week 10
Chicago 6, San Francisco 10
Dallas wins @ Green Bay
Week 11
San Francisco toss-up @ Green Bay
Philadelphia wins @ Chicago
Week 12
Chicago lose @ Minnesota
Green Bay wins @ Detroit (Detroit is not a Tampa Bay waiting to happen)
Week 13
Baltimore wins @ Green Bay
St. Louis lose @ Chicago (NFL should allow mercy killings)
Week 14
Green Bay toss-up @ Chicago (is it possible for both teams to lose?)
Week 15
Chicago lose @ Baltimore
Green Bay lose @ Pittsburgh
Week 16
Minnesota wins @ Chicago (hope the NFL makes this a noon game, as the Chicago are not worth any more prime time)
Seattle lose @ Green Bay
Week 17
Green Bay toss-up at Arizona
Chicago wins @ Detroit
I see Chicago winning 2, losing 5, with 1 toss-up that can go either way!
I see Green Bay winning 2, losing 3, with 3 toss-up that can go either waty!
Everyone we meet in life give us happiness, some by their arrival, others by their departure!
by Parnelli on Nov 13, 2009 2:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
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