Since the beginning of 2008 Visanthe Schiancoe has scored 13 TDs. Amongst all TEs in the NFL, that is second only to Tony Gonzalez who has 14 TDs including his score against the Redskins today.

There was a time back in 2007 when it looked like Visanthe was just another TE who had trouble catching balls thrown to him. I remember being at games where he was booed for letting passes go through his hands. However, over the past two seasons he has become the Vikings most dependable target down close to the goal line.

 He'll never compete for the TE lead in most catches or yardage. The Vikings offense is not designed for having the TE be a target 8-10 times a game. But Brad Childress was correct in his assessment of Visanthe's talent and what he could men to our offense. Visanthe has 6 TDs in the first half of this season. Another 4 TDs and he is derserving of Pro Bowl consideration.

Sunday November 8th the Vikings enjoy the bye week taking advantage of the time off and yet they still increase their division lead over both the Packers and Bears.  Could it get any better?

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Being a bit of a car nut myself, may Pontiac R.I.P. long live the legend and GM burn in hell!, and seeing MilCardFan's avatar with my favorite brand of truck, I was wondering, what has anyone done to "SKOLinize" their vehicles, or plan too? As for me, I've recently purchased a 1995 F-150 XL for $100 (no rust here either hehe) that I had to swap out the tranny (5spd) for another measly $400 (did the work myself). Once I replace the bed, pretty beat up, thats when the SKOLinization will commence. Right now, it's your dull white. Plan's so far include:

31 inch tires (it is a 4x4) with a 2" lift (aggressive look but won't kill my mileage, almost 20 on the highway)

The lower 1/4 being painted metallic purple, gold stripping to transition from purple to white

rear bumper being painted metallic purple (factory grey right now)

Headlight trim and grille dyed purple (has charcoal grey XL trim on it)

Tinted windows with a mirrored purple hue to them.

Large tailgate Vikings emblem augmented with a Twins and Wild decal as well.

Since the state of New Mexico only requires a rear license plate, the front already sports a Vikings plate.

The rear plate holder is reserved for Tony "Smoke" Stewart #14.

So, thats what I've planned for the truck. Sorry, my 1991 Firebird will remain black, but that will soon sport the classic gold treatment as well. hehehehe So speak up, what have you guys done or plan to do? And yes, I am bored this morning and procrastinating doing work outside, though it's almost 70 right now! ;-).

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Brett Favre is the Greatest QB in NFL History! Brett Favre will lead the Vikings to a Victory in SB XLIV!

Everyone is trying to figure out how well teams have done since so many bad teams play this year.  I have changed the record book by eliminating all wins against the tomato cans ( Any team with less than 2 wins).  That means Detroit, Washington, Oakland, Kansas City, and Tennessee are Tomato Cans.

  Lets see how the  season stacks up so far for the top teams with more than 5 wins. These teams are suppose to beat the worst.  So far only Philadelphia has lost to Oakland.  The loss counts against them.

First off you should know how many tomato cans each team faces this year:

Indianapolis and New England                                                                        4

Cincinnati ,Houston,Saints, Vikes. Philly, Dallas, Giants                                   5

Denver, Pittsburgh                                                                                           6

Records without Tomato can wins to date.

Steelers    Bengals     Houston   Colts    Patriots    Denver    Saints    Vikes     Eagles     Dallas     Giants

      2-2          4-2             3-2       4-0         3-2         4-1          6-0          4-1         2-2          2-2            1-3 

Saints are 6-0 with 4 TMs to play

Colts are 4-0 with 1 TM to play

Denver is 4-1 with 2 TMs to play

Vikes are 4-1 with 2 TMs to play

Patriots are 3-2 with 2 TMs to play

Maybe none of this makes sense but it sure looks to me like the Saints have a far easier schedule than anyone else. 

The NFC East looks ordinary

 Denver is better than anyone ever imagined they would be.

And Yes the Vikes are looking fine.

So, for those who want to feel good about our chances (statistically speaking), here's the latest Accuscore Report, based on 10,000 simulations.  We are projected to have a 99% chance of making the playoffs, a 94% chance of winning the division, and are likely to finish the season at 13-3.  Not bad.  

To make 75 words, I'll ask, is anyone aware of when the flex games will be determined?  I haven't heard any discussion of whether we'll be getting any extra Vikings games in Prime Time.  

So, here we are, lucky enough to get our bye week right in the middle of the season. Myself, I like having bye weeks around mid point, nice break and time to rest as well as tweak the team to improve certain situations. Our's so far, not sure whether getting complacent or tired, but preventing 3rd and 4th quarter Defensive collapses that have plagued us the last 3 games. Thankfully against the Pack, the D suddenly reawakened in the middle of the 4th to finally shut the game down. Hopefully, Chilly and the boy's are working on that as well as trying to open up hole's for A.P. So, with those thoughts put down, I wonder what everyone's thoughts are on the 2nd half starting next week. Looking ahead, the schedule is partial fluff with Detroit, Seattle and a suddenly declining and schizo Carolina (Tho my feelings it's more of a overrated coach then players). Depending on how well Crybaby Cutler is doing in Chicago, it can be easily a sweep or a split, so erring on the side of caution, I will say split, but I really see a sweep as well. Thats leaves 3 teams that really concern me. Arizona, N.Y. and yes Virginia, the Bengals.

Arizona - There are 3 simple reasons why this team should always be considered dangerous, no matter the record: Fitzgerald, Boldin (when healthy) and Warner. All 3 have the abilities to put up good numbers at anytime against any team (just ask N.Y.). For the most part, have beaten teams they should have, excluding last weeks loss to the Panthers which may be more of an anomaly. Their rushing D has improved over last year and while ranked 17 at present, has been known to make some plays as well as hold the line too. Right now, they do not appear to be suffering the dreaded losing team "Superbowl Hangover". Of course, looking at their schedule, with the exception of the Colts (who they lost too) and the Vikes, for the most part appears to be soft. Some will say they may be over rated, but a team that has the ability to bite you in the ass if youre not careful, such as letting big leads slip in the 3rd quarter, always should be taken into account. While I am calling this one a victory, it will come in the expense of a little a$$ pucker as well. Vikings win 34 - 31

Giants - This is a team that has been a thorn in our sides for some time. Yeah, we beat them last year to win the North, but we didn't score our last 10 points until the 4th Quarter, after most of their starters were rested in the 2nd half (Giants were already in the playoffs). Before that, the Giants had won 3 straight in Minny.Yes, they have lost 3 in a row right now, but this team has had rough spots before. Remember a few years ago, when some players and fans were calling for Coughlin's head? Then they turned around and beat an undefeated team in the Superbowl. Like Eli or not, he does produce even if he has a rough game here and there, they all do. The receiving corp seems to be adjusting well with the loss of Plaxico "What hole in my leg?" Burress. Between Jacobs and Bradshaw, set in the RB position too. While they are going through a rough patch, this team will right itself and soon. This is gonna be a close one as well. And given it's the last game of the season, and the way things are looking, we may be the team in "coast" mode as at present, the Pack and Bears don't seem to be a challenge for the North. I am saying the Giants in this one as we more then likely be having second team guys in there, but make no mistake, even if we were both fighting for our playoff lives, it would still be close with a good chance of N.Y. winning. Giants 21-17

Bengals - What team will they be when we meet them in week 14? Will they do a late season collapse, something they have done in the past, or will they still be tearing it up? While I think Baltimore is over rated right now, the fact they took it to the end and beat the Steelers and lost to the Broncos on a pure fluke play tell's me that yes, they have awaken. Look at what they did against a supposed "contender" team in the Bears, 45 - 10. Sure, they went into O.T. against the Browns, but the 0-16 Lions gave us a scare last season in the first game between us. They have a very capable QB in Palmer who is another that can run up good numbers against any team, a good WR in Chad "pick my name of the week" OchocincoschizoJohnson and Benson has finally become the RB the Bears wished he had been. Seems like that's been the case for the Bears since Payton retired. Their D is ranked higher overall then ours with a 5th ranked rushing D. Though their passing D isn't ranked all that much higher then our's. While their O is not as loaded as ours, they are capable. Another game I think we will win, but just barely.  Vikings 24-20

Prediction - So, at the current pace, if Favre remains healthy, I think we will finish 13-3  with a throw away game against N.Y. as we will have wrapped up the North. Make it 14-2 if Crybaby Cutler and the Bears continue to implode. A few close games against very capable and scary teams (AZ, Cincy) . However, God forbid, if something does happen to Favre, those games against Arizona and Cincy could quickly change into their favor as well as the game in Chicago and perhaps Carolina with an outside chance, tho unlikely. So, keep your fingers crossed and hope for a healthy season for our QB.

What are your thoughts, predictions?

I have pity for humble players like Matty B. (still wish he wouldn't have left) but one person who is personal looser is "Housh the Douche".  He complained that the reason why he didn't want to come here is because of our QB situation (i didn't think was to shaby" now look at him, he can't stop complaining about the QB situation there (haha meant to be a bad joke).  But i don't think anyone here can complain, we got, "Lord O'' Percy.  The only thing that i am still confused about was why he thought an injured QB was better than 2 QB's (not the smartest guy out there) 

Former Viking Troy Williamson has three catches for thirty-four yards with the Jaguars, along with a fumble, for the entire season. He has not played since the third game of the season, and is not listed on the Jaguars' injury report.

I bring this up because I remember some talk this past August about how Williamson was catching everything that came his way in training camp. I also remember some Viking fans--not many, but some--blaming Brad Childress for Williamson's failure to fulfill his promise as a high draft pick.

I am not one to heap praise on Childress, but since Williamson has apparently been benched in Jacksonville after failing to catch much of anything, I think it is safe to say Childress did not mis-handle Williamson.

This is what it comes to during a bye week.  

I have long thought that the Vikings should use this as their theme song (not to displace the Skol Vikings fight song, as this is most definitely not a fight song and Skol is awesome); sort of like how the Red Sox use Sweet Caroline as their de facto theme song.  (By the way, lyrics ARE safe for work.)

This song is by the great  band of Gogol Bordello (the lead singer is from Ukraine, and hence some of the lyrics are not in English, plus he is also nutty), and it fits perfectly for the Vikings, as you can tell by the title.  The song would be a festive, quasi-drinking song to warm our spirits during the game.

I hope someone from the Vikings organization reads this and implements my idea.  A great way to get the crowd going rather than the cliche music they normally play at games (let it be noted that I have not attended a game in a year or two, but I imagine it has not changed much, if any).