Merry Tuesday, everyone!

It’s September 11, and we all know what happened on this day, 17 years ago. I think it’s important to use today as a day of thanksgiving, to be thankful for the men and women who defend our nation and the freedoms we enjoy. Today particularly reminds me to include not only our soldiers, but also those in the law enforcement community, and in fire and rescue. Some folks do jobs that others would not want to do, or would not be able to do, and place themselves in harm’s way to protect others. If you are one of those people, I sincerely thank you.

That being said, I’ll use part of my freedom to be happy that the Vikings are 1-0. Lions fans, if Chim or any others are reading today, I can only say that I feel for you after last night’s..........game?. Ouch. If it helps any, which it probably won’t, the Vikings opened the 2015 season with an absolute sulphur fart of a game against the 49ers on Monday Night Football (there were lots of 2-14 predictions from some fans on here the next day), and the Vikings wound up finishing the season at 11-5 and brought home the NFC North crown. Now, the Lions won’t be able to win the division, as that crown must stay in Minnesota, but the Lions can still turn things around. It’s only one game. It was friggin’ horrendous, though.

Around the DN since our last open thread:

Ted brings back Zim Tzu for 2018.

Eric highlights five game-changing plays from Sunday’s match-up.

just_rob had a preview and game thread for last night’s “game”. Doing a game thread for division rival games seems to be a success. Excellent idea, rob.

Wludford shares the “report” that A-a-ron Rodgers suffered a mild MCL sprain. I tend to question any diagnosis that is based solely on TV footage, regardless of how many years the diagnoser had a stethoscope hanging around their neck. (Before anyone starts yelling at me, I know that diagnoser is not a word. I just made it up, but I also used it, so it is now a word......in my world) No word from Rodgers or the Packers yet, but you can bet that Rodgers will play up the injury for all he can, and Joe Buck will be gushing like a 14 year-old girl at a Beatles concert any time Rodgers completes a pass & fakes a limp.

Ted has an injury update on Trae Waynes, and the move to IR for Collins along with his replacement’s signing.

Wludford has some takeaways from Sundays win against the 49ers. No, wludford didn’t steal a urinal from Levi’s Stadium, he just learned a few things from seeing the game, that’s what I meant by takeaways.

Ted looks at how Mike Hughes stepped in when his team needed him, then stepped up big-time.

Vikings news from other sources and news from around the rest of the league:

At Vikings.com, Rudolph and Cousins both shared some exciting news recently, in addition to the victory on Sunday. Both players’ families are expecting. Congrats to both of them, that’s great news. Also at Vikings.com, catch Coach Zimmer’s Monday presser, and see Daniel Jeremiah on the NFL Network as he breaks down game film from Sunday’s game.

Fox Sports looks at the extra dimension that Dalvin Cook brings to the offense.

After being trounced in game one, the Bills have not decided who will start at QB for game 2, per NFL.com.

Sam Darnold shook off an early mistake, and had a huge night for the Jets, from NFL.com.

We come to today’s media selection:

I know I’ve played this before. More than once, actually, but it has been quite a while, and this still makes me laugh every time I watch it. I don’t know why watching drunk people do drunk things makes me giggle, but it does, and this might be the best drunk person video I’ve seen. (atching this also reminds me to be thankful that there weren’t cameras everywhere back in my younger and much wilder days). Enjoy!

Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:

• No discussion of politics or religion
• No feeding of the trolls
• This isn’t a male version of The View, so leave the gender hatred at the door
• Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)
• Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags
• No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer
• If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away
• While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm

With that, the beer light is on and the bar is open. Belly up and tie one on. Don’t forget to tip your waitress, and try the tiger meat