Hi kids, and happy Victory Monday. I have to say, it’s been a pretty nice reversal of fortune compared to where we were three weeks ago, hasn’t it? I’m not really sure what to make of this, but like I mentioned in the Stock Market Report yesterday, I’m just going to enjoy it while it lasts.
Because the Vikings are going to lose again. I don’t want it to happen, mind you, because 14-2 would be one heck of a season. I don’t think it will be on this short week turnaround, but they most assuredly will lose.
And that will be interesting around here, to say the least.
I want to gauge how the fan base reacts, but more importantly, how the Vikings react in their next game after said loss. Before you jump down my throat, let me explain, because I think a lot of us feel close to the same way I feel.
The reckoning will arrive when it arrives, and we know it’s going to happen. When it does, we’ll discuss ‘what went wrong’ when it goes wrong. We’ll probably discuss the overarching narratives that had been formed about this team before the season began, and whether or not they’re a pretender or a contender, and that will be fine. We’ll talk about the defense, especially if they continue to struggle. And yes, I’m sure we’ll talk about Kirk Cousins, because talking about quarterbacks around these parts is a national pastime. And when he struggles, which he probably will, I’m sure the ‘I told you so’ Army will strike on all fronts, all at once, like a human wave attack, hoping to overwhelm your senses.
So, fine, we’ll figure all that out later. But later is not today.
Today I’m just going to have fun while watching the Vikings light up NFL competition, even though there are still some people that can’t seem to. I just don’t get folks who want their opinions to be proven right so much it almost feels like they’re rooting for their team to fail so what they think is correct will be validated. I don’t agree with everything the Vikings do, but once the dust settles, I will always cheer for them to win. And when they don’t I’ll complain. But for now, I’m just going to enjoy the Vikings winning at an historically great level and not be pissed off about who’s throwing, catching, running, or blocking.
It’s okay to just enjoy this run Kirk Cousins and the offense are on and ride it until it comes crashing into shore. This three game stretch is something not even the 1998 offense pulled off, and it’s fun to watch. Compared to how we felt about this team after the Bears game and in the week leading up to the Giants game, I’m just going to enjoy this winning streak while it lasts. Why? Well, I’ll let 1980’s Renaissance Man and Warrior Poet Crash Davis explain:
Still, it’s also okay to say that there are some tough games ahead, in situations that have been historically unkind to Kirk Cousins and the Vikings, and whether or not the Vikings can get over that hump. As fun as this three game winning streak is, Minnesota still has some really tough games ahead of them, and how they do will go a long way in determining not only if the Vikes will be in the playoffs, but whether or not they can get a home playoff game.
If we all think the Vikes will beat Washington Thursday that puts them at 6-2 halfway through the season and in a good position to keep pace with division leading Green Bay, while staying in the thick of post season talk. But the second half of the schedule looks daunting, as road games in Kansas City, Dallas, and Seattle loom, as do the last two games of the year—home divisional games against Green Bay and Chicago.
This is becoming a fun ride, but as we all know after watching this team, anything can, and almost always does happen. Some of it is amazing, some of it is soul crushing, some of it is just ‘meh’, and the season ends with a whimper.
But, I’ll worry about the second half of the year when we’re in the second half of the year and those tough games are upon us, and I’ll ask those questions we all want to ask when the time comes. I’m just going to enjoy what we’re seeing in front of us right now, because it doesn’t happen every day, so appreciate it while it’s unfolding.
Thank you for listening to my TED Talk.