Desparation… true enough… But I’m going with the Steelers on this one.
Bears go 0-2 and the meltdown commences.

Really? You really think the Bears will win on Sunday?

that CHI pulls this one out. The Steelers D almost always find a way to bail out their mediocre offense which may be lead by Mewelde at RB this week. Steelers 24 Da’ Bears 20 in a squeaker.

New York is the class of the NFC, and Dallas gave up 174 rushing yards to the Bucs. How will Brandon Jacobs fare?

Brett Favre, he isn’t going to be a gunslinging QB like he was in past years. True that he will NEED to do that when we are playing better teams (PIT, NYG, etc..) and playing from behind, but until those games, 110 yards and only 21 attempts (whatever the stats were last week) is just fine with me.

I’m with your concerns this weekend, eric. Playing down to our opponents is the Viking curse, and I’d need to see a long streak of not doing that, to believe it’s been well and truly broken. The Vikes need to take the Lions seriously, if for no other reason than that it’s the only way for them to come out even. You’re right, winning proves nothing and a close game, or not, well, you know, just makes us look bad. Maybe that’s not such a terrible thing, could result in being underestimated for a few weeks, but really, self-respect doesn’t accord with it.

while Brett Favre will steal Jim Marshall’s record for consecutive starts on Sunday. (That’s right, I said steal. Two hundred seventy consecutive games as a defensive lineman in the 1970’s is infinitely more impressive than 271+ by a quarterback in today’s age.)

That’s a point I tried to make before but a lot of folks still think it’s a fair comparison. Personally, Favre would go a long way towards showing that he’s not a records-monger if he doesn’t start the game, and comes in for the second series. Knowing that Jim Marshall is a Viking icon, to do it deliberately would be one heck of a gesture of good faith and respect, and win over a lot of the hold-outs to appreciating him.

We need to put our boot-heels into the Lions and leave spur marks up and down their backs. Let’s root for the Vikes to do it!

that our wonderful front four dominated last year, and I expect the same thing this time. The only difference is the QB behind center, and I don’t think he’s much of a scrambler like Culpepper (Who Jared Allen completely chased down and made a fool of).

If anything can be expected, it’s a quick collapse of Stafford’s o-line.

not too scary. Just hope chilly knows what’s coming…

Blitz blitz blitz and 8 man in the box.

Each year is different in the NFL. The problem last year in the first game was turnovers. They moved the ball well but shot themselves in the foot repeatedly. Same for the game in Detroit. AP fumbled inside the Detroit 5 in the first quarter, Longwell had a FG blocked, and essentially the Vikes almost beat themselves.

This team doesn’t give off that vibe. This team gives off a confident ‘if we’re supposed to win by 10, we’ll win by 14. Then we’ll hit on your girlfriend, and you can’t do shit about it."

Well, except for Favre. He’ll be at Sears, trying to decide on that damn TV.

There is no way Chicago will beat Pittsburgh. Look at Jay Cutler for example. He sucks.

Sucky QB+Amazing Defense=Amazing Defense Win

Call me crazy, but I see Culpepper getting a chance to play on Sunday and lighting us up in revenge.

Chiefs over the Raiders
While they did lose against Baltimore, they did rack up a team record 500+ yards against them. While not loaded with talent, neither is the Raiders. And I will give credit to the Raiders agianst the Chargers to an extent. Chargers should have had it sown up in by the end of the 1st Q. But something tells me might just be a change for the better in KC. Still not sure on Russell as a top QB.

Jets over the Patriots
I was impressed with Brady coming back and showing a bit of his old form on Monday Night. Tho I was a bit distracted by watching the game at Hooters here in Albuquerque ;-). The rest of the team I wasnt impressed with at all. Not even Moss who I am beginning to think at this point is a little over rated. The defense didnt throw me a bone and if the pundents were right, should have blown out Buffalo by the half. Yet, it took a greedy for yards idiotic fumble to hand the win to the Pats. The Jets, yes, might have a new coach and rookie QB, but same solid D and good supporting cast on the O that makes me believe the Jets just might be there at the end of the season and the Pats might be seeing the beginning of the end unless they do the youth movement soon.

Steelers over the Bears
Not sold on Cutler, glad the Vikes didnt go after him. While I dont think he will be as bad as he was this past weekend, still dont think he is coming out smelling like roses either. While the Steel Curtian is missing it’s heart in Palomalu (spelling?), they should be able to hold failry steedy and should force Cutler into several mistakes via forced plays. Also, the Bears have an aging D and now without it’s soul in Urlacher. Another D struggle, but by the end of the 3rd, we know the Steelers will be coming out on top of this one.

Giants over the Cowboys
The hockey style screen might be their only homefield advantage, but the Cowboys have a D that got peppered last week against a rather anemic Bucs O to the tune of 450 yards. The Bucs also out rushed the Cowboys 174 to 118. The Cowboys O looked good and not really missing Terror Owens, but will Romo have another decent week or erratic week? The Giants on the other hand didnt give up a passing TD till the game was decided with 1:30 left in the game. Gave up only 85 yards rushing and a total of 272 yards total. While Romo has had luck against the Giants in his career, I think this season that luck finally runs out.

I don’t know how they do it, but the Lions always seem to play our Vikes to the end. Doesn’t seem to matter who is favored, or the what the point spread is. The Lions seem to keep it close enough to win it with one or two fast TD’s. This Sunday wont be easy by any means.

But now we have a QB (Favre) that can play tricks of his own, on the Detroit “D”. So, if our defense plays all 4 quarters and not let up, I feel the Lions will be passing more than they like to. This gives our guys a chance for 1 or 2 interceptions, wit a run back or two.

Vikings need their passing attack to get on track. I’d like to see at least two long passes for TD’s. One to Rice, and one to BB. I also expect to see several screen passes for good yardage.

AD always draws a crowd, so some play action plays should also, get things moving for our Vikes.

The “overloaded box” wont work as well this year for the opponents defenses. The old man wont let that stop him or his new weapons from scoring. The Vikes will simply go over the top of it.

Vikes – 31
Lions – 17

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It’s an old gambling rule called “run to the smell.” If everyone is saying how one team stinks and has no chance, choose that team. Everyone thinks I’m crazy for picking the Bears…which means they’ll probably win.

(But if you guys ARE right and I am crazy for picking the Bears…well then all the better for the Vikings!)

eric and others, the final score won’t be close. The Vikings will destroy the Lions something to the tune of 35 – 13. Shake off your urge to see trouble around every corner and enjoy the ride.

Milcardfan and Chuck forman, I agree. AP is taking the Viking’s by storm. This is his team and the Vikings team personality is changing because of that. Adrian’s intensity and fierce competitiveness are rubbing off. I see it too.

Favre 16-21 187yds 1 TD 1Int
TJack 4-11 61 yds
A.P. 147 all purpose yds
C.T. 85 all purpose yds
B. B. 73 yds rec
Rice 43 yds rec
Harvin 68 all purpose yds
Vincente 4-39yds

Am I still crazy for picking the Bears?