Week 3 Preview: The Godfather Game
by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 23, 2011 8:00 AM CDT
in Minnesota Vikings 2011 Season
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The Vikings are supposed to lose on Sunday.
The Lions are 2-0, riding high after flat out de-pantsing the Chiefs last week. The Vikings are 0-2, coming off games where they pissed away a combined 27 points of halftime leads. The Lions handled the common opponents (the Buccaneers) on the road, while the Vikings couldn't take care of business against them at home.
The Lions have one of the scariest young front sevens in the league with Ndamukong Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and DeAndre Levy making plays. Not to mention Nick Fairley looming after he returns from injury. The Vikings had to get rid of their incumbent tub of lard left tackle during training camp. Their offensive line has had more holes than Spongebob Squarepants in the first two games.
The Lions have a rising star at quarterback (Matthew Stafford) and a certified stud #1 wide receiver (Calvin Johnson). The Vikings have a fallen star at quarterback (Donovan McNabb) and a #1 wide receiver that is only on the field about half the time (Percy Harvin).
Even Vegas knows the Lions are supposed to win on Sunday. For the first time in the history of the old, decrepit, sorely-needs-to-be-replaced-or-else-we-don't-have-a-franchise Metrodome, the Lions are favored to win. Yes, it's that bad: the historically downtrodden franchise from Detroit that has lost in the Metrodome every single year since 1997 is considered the "safe bet" this week.
And yet I'm still picking the Vikes to win. Not because I'm a homer that always sees the world through purple-tinted glasses; after all, I picked the Chargers in Week 1 of the Survivor Pool. No, I have a much better reason.
That reason? "The Godfather", of course.
"Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in!"
--Michael Corleone, "The Godfather III"
You all remember that famous line, right? It was probably the only good thing to come out of the awful last chapter of the Godfather trilogy, but I digress. If you think about it, doesn't that line perfectly sum up what the Vikings usually do to their diehard fans?
Here's an example: think back to the 2009 NFC Championship Game. (Sorry, that was cruel of me, but I'm making a point here.) There were at least five or six times during that game where I emotionally checked out, only to get suckered back in. After each fumble late in the game, I said to myself, "Whelp, that's it, we're done. We effed it up, no Super Bowl for us." But what did the Vikings do? They fought back and got our hopes dangerously high...only to crush them one final time. They couldn't just get blown out by the Saints after all those turnovers; nope, they had to string us along and hurt us even more when we had our guard down.
There are so many times throughout this team's history when we've collectively sworn the Vikings off as fans...and then they showed us a flash of hope...and then we ended up hating ourselves for thinking we had a chance. Like when we were backing into the playoffs in 2003 only to have it spoiled by future Hall of Famers Josh McCown and Nate Poole on the last play of the season.
I could go on, but I think you get the point by now. (Plus I don't want to be responsible for any more broken furniture from this gloomy trip down memory lane.) It would be so much easier for us to call 2011 a lost season if the Lions come to town and whoop up on our hometown team. A lot of us fans almost want the Vikings to get blown out by Detroit this week, if only to prove that we never should have picked up McNabb and we can start looking at exactly what we have with Christian Ponder. Some commenters on this site almost seem to prefer when this team is in shambles so they can offer tons of theories on how to make the team better. Heck, part of me even thinks it would be easier to write about the Vikings if they lose this week so I can go into full-on sarcasm/parody mode.
But if you've followed this team at all, you know that's not how they operate. It's never that cut and dry. You can throw out all the statistical analysis you want to show with near certainty that the Lions will win; I won't be able to argue with most of it. But somehow I just feel that the Vikings pull off the win this week, and look good enough in doing so to sucker us into thinking that we could go somewhere in 2011. I think the coaches will use Harvin much more, McNabb hits the throws he's been missing so far, and the defense makes just enough big plays to pull out a sadly unexpected victory.
Just when we thought we were out...
Prediction: Vikings 27, Lions 20
Now for the rest of my Week 3 NFL picks (home teams in ALL CAPS):
Patriots over BILLS: I'm starting three Bills on my 2-0 fantasy team this week. I can guarantee you that's the first time that sentence has ever been typed. That said, Buffalo will get a wake-up call against the Pats this week.
49ers over BENGALS: Huge playoff implications in this game. Wait, did I say playoffs? I meant Andrew Luck.
Dolphins over BROWNS: Miami finally finds some rhythm after they return to the friendly confines of...any stadium other than their own.
TITANS over Broncos: The paper cut-out 1987 Broncos from the old South Park episodes could probably do more damage than the current iteration in Denver.
That's more like it. Bring on them Titans!
SAINTS over Texans: Houston is another good example of my "Godfather" theory. Peyton Manning is out for a long time, they're in a crappy division, they started 2-0 and looked good doing so...everything is looking up for them. But Texans fans should know better by now.
EAGLES over Giants: It sounds like Michael Vick is going to play, and it sounds like half of New York's team isn't.
PANTHERS over Jaguars: Hey Carolina and Jacksonville--it isn't 1996. Those awful shades of teal your teams wear aren't cool anymore. In order to get the awful image of those jerseys out of your head, I present to you the triumphant return of the Gratuitous Picture of the Week!
OK these uniforms are just fine. But quite frankly I'm a little upset with you readers for not reminding me to include one of these during the first two weeks.
CHARGERS over Chiefs: Roger Goodell should probably instate a Mercy Rule before this game kicks off. You know, just in case. Does the scoreboard go to triple digits in San Diego?
Jets over RAIDERS: I could totally see Oakland pulling out one of their trademark inexplicable wins over a good team here...but naaahhhh.
Ravens over RAMS: I'm done picking the Rams to upset until they learn where the end zone is. Since I have nothing else to say here, shout out to St. Louis safety Craig Dahl! I hope he gets to watch our North Dakota State Bison beat up on the Gophers again on Saturday night!
Falcons over BUCCANEERS: C'mon. We saw first hand last week that the Bucs aren't that good.
Packers over BEARS: As I always say when I pick this matchup twice a year--it's only because I can't pick both teams to lose.
Cardinals over SEAHAWKS: Do you think Pete Carroll just glares at Darrell Bevell during meetings, thinking "How in the world did I let this guy convince me to sign Tarvaris Jackson?! This a-hole is going to cost me my job!" Or do you think he just daydreams about how good Andrew Luck will look in a Seattle uniform?
Steelers over COLTS: I try not to pick road teams for my Survivor Pool, but...this one's a layup. (Still alive after the Jets won last week.)
COWBOYS over Redskins: Drink every time you hear the ESPN crew talk about Tony Romo and his toughness or ability in the clutch. If you watch the pregame show, you'll be in a coma before kickoff.
Last week: 10-6
Season so far: 17-15
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Raise your mugs
The Vikings will win this game.
…and that photoshop is AMAZING! lol
by Odin'sDrunkenSon on Sep 23, 2011 8:24 AM CDT reply actions
I HATE TO BE
The one too sy this. I love the vikes but the lions have a better pass rush than the charges do can you so 0 and 3?
I thought you love the Vikes :'(
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle."
by Winchestertonfieldville on Sep 24, 2011 5:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Definitely drinking the purple Kool-Aid this weekend
I guess I just love getting my heart broken but it comes with the vikings territory(and apparently this year, Twins and soon to be Timberwolves too) But that’s just how it goes. On that note, I always feel the Vikings can win every week and I truly believe if they get everything clicking, they are a very tough team capable of beating anyone. Especially when they’re the underdogs. Anyone else notice that the competition seems to play to our talent level and vice-versa. If it’s a team we’re supposed to destroy it becomes a close game and if we’re supposed to get blown out we always seem to play lights out or our D shuts the other team down(for a little bit anyways, see: San Diego) I think that’s why I’m a Vikings fan, they’re constantly surprising you and win or lose, it’s usually exciting. SKOL! Oh and the vikes will win by at least 7
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 23, 2011 8:39 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
What he said....
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 Sep 23, 2011 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
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by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 23, 2011 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Hope you're right
but I don’t see it. this is not the same team that went to the nfc championship game. it’s almost like that game sucked the life out of the players. they haven’t played with the same heart or determination since.
Of course this isn't the same team that went to the championship game 2 years ago
Doesn’t need to be. We’re playing Detroit…..the Lions is their mascot. Remember? If you’re trying to tell me that Detroit is going to the NFCCG this year, I’m going to throw up. I think you’re watching too much ESPN. The Lions won 6 games last year. How are they now just guaranteed the playoffs and far superior to us? They’ve beaten TB this year. Hats of to them for that, but it’s not like they blew them out and TB was coming back just like they did against us. Detroit has a LONG ways to go. I remember a few years ago they started like 5-1 or 4-2, something like that and people thought Joey Harrington was going to be the next Montana and lead them DEEP into the playoffs. I think they finished 6-10 that year? My point: when they’ve had such bad teams for such a long time, ANY improvement feels like they’re winning a SB. Conversely, we almost always have a solid team(playoff contender) so last year and the start to this year feels like we’re only going to win like 3 games(even though we could win anywhere from 6 to 10 games, IMO)
Skol!
i'm not saying detroit
is going to he nfccg. i’m not even saying the vikes will lose with any certainty. obviously some
ot the vikings players and coaches have changed from 2yrs ago. most of the core players are still there. when I watch the 2009 season and then watch last season and these first two games, there is such a huge difference in the energy and the determination.
amen!
For the record, it was Jon Kitna not Harrington. And Mike Martz was the OC.
Perfect example would be the Houston Texans. You got Shaub, Johnson, Foster, Daniels, etc.
Explosive offense! But they still have to make it in the playoffs.
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle."
by Winchestertonfieldville on Sep 23, 2011 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I just love the argument that "the Lions have been bad for so long that they can never be good"
Especially when it comes from fans of a team that collapsed so totally last year.
There is very little about the Vikings this year that resembles the 2009 team. First, you don’t have a white-hot Favre playing out of his mind. You have Berrian trying to take the place of Sydney Rice. Shiancoe is not going to repeat that year by catching 10 TD passes. Pat Wiliams is gone. Cedric Griffin is trying to come back from two knee surgeries. Your safeties aren’t all that hot. McKinnie was still a a better pass blocker than Johnson. The only thing that is still pretty good about your team is your LBs.
If anything, I’d say it’s the Vikings that have a LONG way to go before they can talk about getting back into the playoffs.
No slogans. Just win!!!
Good Job. You completeyl missed the point.
The point: Detroit’s had good starts before and completely collapsed. How in the hell can detroit fans claim supremacy with 2-0 against one middle of the road team and the other against quite possibly the worst team in the NFL.
Where in the hell did I say the Vikings would make the playoffs? I said the Vikings are annually at least a borderline playoff team(past). Basically, it’s pretty rare that we get a top-5 pick like the lions did for like 10 years straight. Detroit on the other hand? That’s a different story. History tells us a few things, but not everything. The reason I bring that up is because Detroit’s been bad and haven’t made the playoffs in quite some time. I understand the fans are excited(and rightfully so), but I’m saying don’t get too excited when you still haven’t even made the playoffs yet.
Cheers to 14 straight W’s in the dome and i believe 20 out of 22 overall VS the lions.
Skol!
I would like to blow them out
but it would be nice to see our Defense step up in the clutch and take the ball away from them late.
Skol!
It would be nice for our offense to step up 2nd half
Score enough points and control the time of possession. Keep the ball out of stafford and megatron’s hands..let’s see if we can tire their defense out for a change
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 24, 2011 7:22 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
In your story I'm pretty sure you mean Bevell not Fraiser
and I don’t think he’s glaring anymore I’m pretty sure it’s gotten to the point where he’s throwing things at him. Unfortunately they all land at Bevells feet and the QB coach keeps telling Carrol to stop jumping when he throws…
I'm like the Dali Lama of kicking ass
Oops!
I did mean Bevell. It’s corrected now. Don’t write under the influence of NyQuil.
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by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 23, 2011 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions
You guys are way off. Pete Carroll’s an evil cyborg incapble of displaying self-awareness…
By the way, if Carroll is fired, I think Seattle should just go whole-hog and hire Childress to replace him. Maybe let him then poison pill the Vikings for John Sullivan or something, and finally end this weird tango.
This is such a refreshing change from talking to Chiefs fans.
All respect to KC fans, I love those guys and they’re the classiest, coolest bunch of fans I’ve had the pleasure of talking to, but it’s way more refreshing to read this.
I wouldn’t consider you any sort of Vikes fan if you weren’t confident in your team’s chances. Even if it’s just one of those “gut feelings,” this is a divisional rivalry and we haven’t proven anything. All history says you win. So good.
It’ll make our victory that much sweeter, mwahaha. :)
Come on, you know I had to do it. Let’s all hope for one damn good sixty minutes of football!
"You've got to respect your opponent, no matter who it is. You respect him best by going out there and beating him up." - Calvin Johnson
no sarcasm here, Mavyrk
It’s just nice seeing The Lions back.
I have a buddy that’s a Lions fan and his suffering was never fun to watch.
It was actually kind of depressing when the NFL was talking about removing The Lions from the Thanksgiving schedule going forward. Just didn’t seem right to me, so I’m glad that didn’t happen.
Good luck, Lions.
You guys deserve a warm stretch of the sidewalk for a change. :) (and when you play The Packers and Bears, show no mercy :D)
by Odin'sDrunkenSon on Sep 23, 2011 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions
I absolutely agree with the premise, but I have a question.
You’re saying we would be true to form if we do win… Is that a bad thing? or a good thing?
Um, both?
A win is never a bad thing. But it will get our hopes back up, and we know where it always goes from there with the Vikings…
Overall, I’d say more good than bad. If we lose, there’s no real upside outside of the fact that we can all agree we’re hosed.
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by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 23, 2011 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions
you forget something...
yes we Viking fans know what it is like to getting our our hearts broken… but most Lions fans have a PHD in it.
Vikings Valhalla .com
by Admiral BigGun on Sep 23, 2011 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
I sort of agree.
The Lions have just flat out sucked for most of the past 15 years…we’ve flirted with greatness numerous times only to be let down at the very end. Sort of the apples and oranges of heartbreak. I’m not saying one is worse than the other…I’m just saying they’re different kinds of heartbreak.
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by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 23, 2011 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions
15 years???
How about the last 50??? Short span of decency with B. Sanders and 1 NFC title game. Otherwise dreadful since Bobby Lane.
by Siegfried59 on Sep 23, 2011 1:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I think Vikings fans have it worse
4 lost Superbowls and 5 lost NFC Championships is a lot more heartbreaking than just a long history of losing seasons without a playoff appearance.
Not to say it’s easy being a Lions fan either, but I believe ESPN did a piece on this a couple years ago and determined the most tortured fanbase in all of American sports were the Chicago Cubs…..the 2nd most tortured fanbase was the Minnesota Vikings.
I agree with Eric. different kinds of heartbreak
I would prefer the Vikings’ version because we’ve been competitive and it’s nice to go to a game and actually have some hope of winning it. It’s tough to go to almost guarantee losses every year. Detroit hasn’t had much to root for and that almost makes you feel cheated as a fan because that’s a large portion of sport that they’ve missed out on. You could almost feel how hungry they are for success a couple years ago when Stafford dueled Quinn and came away with the win. That was where the Lions lit the fuse and we don’t know when they’ll go kaboomy. Might have been last week or that could have been a much-improved team playing a team that is realizing they’re going to have a rotten season missing the core of their team. If the Lions manhandle the Vikes this weekend, I’ll be a believer.
Skol!
Last year's Eagles game.
Another example of pulling us back in.
Favre broke his streak. Morale was down. Joe Webb(3rd string rookie QB) starts. We’re playing outdoors in TCF. Vick was invincible.
Lo and behold! The Vikes pulled an upset.
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle."
by Winchestertonfieldville on Sep 23, 2011 10:16 AM CDT reply actions
Bingo
Another perfect example.
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by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 23, 2011 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Actually that game was in Philly..on a Tuesday because of weather
We played the bears at TCF with Webb getting the start..and we got our butts whooped..but you’re right we are an under the radar type of team
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 23, 2011 2:24 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Actually, Webb didn't get the start at TCF
Favre did. But he went down early with an injury, which brought Webb in.
I meant the Eagle's stadium. My bad.
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle."
by Winchestertonfieldville on Sep 23, 2011 6:33 PM CDT up reply actions
oh yeah..I forgot about that..
That game pissed me of because if I remember correctly, Webb drove us down the field and Sidney Rice had a huge drop..I’m thinking it would’ve been a TD..anyone know what I’m talking about?
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 24, 2011 7:28 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
My bad! You're right.
Even worse then. Playing on opponents field.
"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle."
by Winchestertonfieldville on Sep 23, 2011 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions
From the Vikings standpoint, I think a fast start is critical (insert easy joke about first-half/second-half Jeckle and Hyde here).
a) They’re going to struggle to play catch up this year, so scoring early first would help them establish some control and tempo, at least inititally.
b) I know Detroit fell behind a little bit early in Tampa, but outside of that they haven’t yet faced a ton of adversity. It’s one thing to look brilliant when you’re riding high on a wave and everything’s going right; but it’s different if you’re down 10-0 early on the road against a division foe in a game everyone thinks you’re supposed to win. And I’m not saying that to goad any Lions fans or anything. But it’s inarguable this is brand new territory for that franchise: Playing important games they’re supposed to win (as here) and/or be competitive in (say, later in Green Bay), and responding in those situations when things don’t go according to the script. Maybe it won’t happen Sunday in Metrodome, maybe they win in cruise control, but eventually it will. From an objective standpoint (e.g., leaving aside rooting interest), it’ll be interesting to see how Detroit would react in that situation. Again, not saying they can’t handle it or won’t or will; not saying it’s going to happen Sunday. We just don’t know yet. And as one of the up-and-coming teams in the game, I’m genuinely interested to see how they do.
c) There is a probably heavy boo-bird potential if the Vikings stumble early.
d) Minnesota still seems to be sleep-walking, at least more than you’d think. Most of the talk out of the Vikings camp seems to be along the lines of “give it time,” “lot’s of football left,” “need to gel.” That’s fine, but at the same time…Perhaps a fast start in this situation will get them some swagger again.
Anyway, we’ll see. Always remember the old adage of “never as good as you look when things are going great; never as bad as you look when they aren’t.”
I think the Vikes can and should win this game
but based on how they’ve performed, I’ll be beating heavy for them in the first half, then I’ll be calling vegas at halftime to bet heavily AGAINST them.
Until they can show they will play an aggressive game in the second half instead of standing around on defense and conservative 3 and out drives on offense, I’m not buying them.
Personally....
I will be “belting” ‘em down in BOTH halves (as in drinking the purple drank…errr kool-aid….errr beer…somethin’ like that…..)…Think you can catch my drift here where I’m goin’ with this…..
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 Sep 23, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
The uniforms/what's wearing them in the pic (no 2 pic) ARE great....
I feel myself rising to this occasion already….
Come On Sunday!
I feel a W is in the air for our Vikes….
Posts with upbeat forecast for us, appropriate girlie pics, and beer….
What else is there in life???
GO VIKINGS!!!
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 Sep 23, 2011 11:19 AM CDT reply actions
You broke my heart, Fredo. You broke my heart.
"I'm crazy? Cyril, you're the one who killed a perfectly good hooker!"--Sterling Archer
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Is that McNabb at the front of the boat?
"Filling a need doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a good player," said Schwartz. "It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that best fits; it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re getting a player that’s better than what you have already."
by NorthLeft12 on Sep 23, 2011 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Haha
Rec’d!
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by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 23, 2011 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Looks like Daunte Culpepper in back, to me
"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short
by YpsilantiJeff on Sep 23, 2011 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Cant be Daunte
No prostitutes on that boat
by PURPpplEATER on Sep 24, 2011 7:30 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
you know viking fans
A win isn’t totally outta the question for the Vikes. I mean, you’re at home, the Lions have a history of losing there, you have the best back in the league, and the Vikings are better than their record indicates.
With that being said, the reason I dont think the Vikes can win is because of your secondary. Winfield is aged and short and will be lining up against 6ft 5in Calvin Johnson. Griffin is a decent #2, but the safetys leave a lot to be desired.
It will be really hard to stop the passing attack of the Lions without getting to Stafford and even if the D-line does get to him, he has Aaron Rodgers like mobility and can avoid sacks, as evident by him being the only qb not sacked yet. Blitzing him like the Vikes like doing with bringing 2 extra guys leaves the secondary even more vulnerable and isn’t a good idea, so the hope is K Will will bring some needed penetration to a good offensive line in Detroit’s.
Its possible I’m wrong, but the matchup problems the Lions will give the Vikes is too much for them to overcome. The Lions D has also only given up 1 touchdown and has held both teams (Tampa and KC) running games in check, whether it was all game or when an adjustment was made, Blount and the KC backs even without Charles is a potent weapon on offense.
Good luck guys, Vikes have a chance, but I’m just not so sure how much with this Detroit team coming into town.
From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!
by DLions4Eva on Sep 23, 2011 1:42 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Acatually in nickel Cook will be lining up against Calvin
Worried be a bit last week because he went out in the second half with a groin issue, but it looks like he’ll be back for the game. Cook is 6’2" and was the guy who was responsible for Steven Jackson in the San Diego game I believe.
I'm like the Dali Lama of kicking ass
I think he also shut down Mike Williams this last week too
I know Mike Williams isn’t as good as CJ, Lions fan, I get it.
Skol!
This is exactly the sort of game that the Vikings do best in
Over the decades that I’ve been a Purple fan, it’s games like these where you never, ever, count the Vikings out of the match. It’s one of the reasons I love this team so much, their historical capacity to ride in as underdogs and spit in the eyes of the odds-makers by rising to the occasion and winning.
This team has it in them to win. I believe in them.
And you Lions fans out there… win or lose, you guys are some of the greatest fans in any sport, for hanging tough with your team through the long dark of mismanaged rebuilding (sort of like what we’re facing now). More, I will never forget the welcome you gave the Vikings last year when our stadium fell apart and you let us play in your house.
But I’m still hoping the Vikings beat you soundly, in a good, fair, hard-fought game on both sides, doing all of us justice :)
Ah, ah,
We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,
To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!
SKOL!
^^^ This
SKOL!!!
Vikings Valhalla .com
by Admiral BigGun on Sep 23, 2011 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Old school black and blue division game
Low scoring, tough D, won by the team that has the least turnovers and it may very well come down to who has the ball last. Whomever wins, lets just hope both teams come out healthy.
"Common Sense, isn't" Solomon Short
by YpsilantiJeff on Sep 23, 2011 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions
lol.
Come on man. Comparing your rebuilding to ours isn’t even fair. Matt Millen ruined our team and lives. I hope the F*cker burns, he’s so god damn football retarded he lost his job as an analyst recently. HE DISMANTLED our team, WASTED 90% of our picks, and set the team back 3 years and counting… Believe me, the Vikes haven’t felt 1% of the desparity we felt here in Detroit.
When Dominic Raiola jumps in a lake he doesn't get wet. The water gets Raiola'd.
by Amendola dolla billz y'all on Sep 23, 2011 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Losing
two consecutive games in the same manner is a pattern
Hopefully turns into a good game
Both teams have a lot riding on this game, for the Vikings if they don’t win we’ll here the calls for Ponder and they might as well go full rebuilding mode. For the Lions the first test of legitimacy, to win on the rode against a division opponent where they haven’t won since 97.
My prediction is the Vikings win but it’s really ugly 23-21, the Vikings offense gets in the end zone once, the other is a kick return and the rest are field goals. The lions dominate statistically and lose on a last minute field goal.
In the end the Vikings win but we are left with more concerns and questions then before the game.
by Simply_Greatness on Sep 23, 2011 6:02 PM CDT reply actions
Doomed! We're doomed, I tells ya!
Detroit 33, Minnesota 17. Harvin is not used as he should be ( AGAIN ) and AP and McNoob have horrible games. We end up 0-3 and the ship begins to founder.
I’m sorry, fellow Vike fans, but as I’ve said before, this is a rebuilding year. And rebuilding years are bloody and ugly. There will be no one more happy than I should we win and right our sinking ship. And I’ll eat a barrel of crow to boot. But I have a premonition of doom approaching, and it’s gonna be bad, bad, bad.
Even so, go Vikes!
Hey tex just go to your profile page and down load a pic or what ever u want and u heard it here from me we will beat the lions watch any how SKOL VIKES !!!!!! BUT WHEN U GET TO YOUR PAGE IT WILL TELL U HOW TO LOAD YOUR AVATAR FROM THERE GL !!!!!
Going to be an interesting game.
I’d like a nice boring Vikings’ win, but I think that the Lions are going to keep things very interesting.
Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin
The Daily Norseman
If you want Godfather Game it was Favre first trip to Lambeau as
a Viking. I’m pretty sure this is the game I remember seeing the following:
A poster being held by a Packer fan. On the poster? A picture of Brett Favre being kissed by Michael Corleone, captioned, “You broke my heart, Favre.”
You mean this one?
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by Eric J. Thompson on Sep 24, 2011 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Okay the thing about favre for me...
When I began watching football, Favre entered the league. I grew up making Favre public enemy number one. In fact when he joined the Vikings, I was convinced he was ordered by the pack to infiltrate and destroy us. However, as a WI resident, I became the biggest Favre supporter, as he basically stabbed all of of WI in the back. It made me incredibly happy, especially since they began showing more Vikings games over the air because “brett” was on the air. Long story short, I enjoyed his time here, despite my initial feelings. He gave us some magic, and forever pissed off wisconsin (under-case intentional) The best part was, during the 2009 NFCCG, I knew a lot of pack fans, who converted to purple bleeders because they wanted the ol’ gun slinger to do it again. Any time a packer backer becomes a temporary Viking Fanactic is all good with me!
by redhearring on Sep 24, 2011 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Couldnt Agree More
If we lost, well, we’d be happy knowing where we stood. However, this team has a great history of heartbreak. I’d bet on the Vikings with a huge win just to sucker punch us again in two weeks (who really thinks we cannot beat the chefs?)
My prediction: Vikings 34, Lions 6
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