Tuesday Open Thread: December 8, 2020

Merry Tuesday, everyone!

Wow, not many weeks ago, there were fans who thought the team should lose as many as possible so they could secure a better pick. As of right now, if the playoffs were to start today, the Vikings would be....IN the playoffs, per CBS Sports. Whodathunkit? This is why you don’t want to give up on a season too early, especially when your team has a lot of talent on its roster.

I’m under no illusion that the Vikings are an utterly dominant team who is gonna storm the playoffs. I am hopeful, though. Why? Because the Vikings are a team who started off horribly, and after that rough start, have gotten progressively better as the season has progressed. One of the main reasons they’ve improved is because of rookies & other backups who were thrust into starting roles because of injuries (or guys who just decided to take the year off). These young players are starting to get better as they gain experience, and I would expect to see that continue. Guys like Cameron Dantzler, DJ Wonnum, and Ezra Cleveland are becoming fun to watch, and they’re only going to continue to get better.

If you’re a Viking fan, you have to love where the team is right now when you consider that not long ago, they were at 1-5, and some thought they should tank the season. In a year when the team seems to play better on the road than they do at home, and they seem to be gaining momentum as the year wears on, maybe a wild card spot is the best place for them. Go in to the playoffs while you’re hot and see what happens. Don’t think it can happen? Go back and look at the NY Giants and their 2007 season (pay particular attention to the NFC Championship game, it was a wonderful game). Keep the faith. SKOL!!!!

Around the DN since our last open thread:

GA Skol brings you the latest installment of Minnesota Vikings Weekly Player Recap: Week 13 2020 (We beat the Jags!).

Other Vikings/NFL news, and random oddities and annoyances:

Gregggggggg Williams was fired by the New York Jets, per yahoo.com. The firing came a day after the human piece of sewage we know un-affectionately here as Gregggggggggggggggg (the more “g”s, the better) made an utterly stupid decision which lost what would have been the Jets’ first win. Former coach Rex Ryan had some choice words (courtesy of the NY Post) for the play call, and he’s absolutely right. I normally don’t wish ill will on people, but I hope Gregggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg stubs his toe. There are some things I’ll never forget, 2009 is one of them.

Last night....and yesterday....on Monday Night Football.....and Monday.......day........football, the team with no name from Washington handed the Steelers their first loss, and as of this writing, the Bills are clobbering the 49ers, scores courtesy of ESPN.

We come to today’s media selection:

Here’s that 2007 NFC Championship game that I was telling you about. Enjoy!

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

-No discussion of politics or religion
-No feeding of the trolls
-Take the gender hatred elsewhere, it won’t be tolerated
-Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)
-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 & tie one on, don’t forget to tip your waitress (from a minimum of six feet away, of course), and try the tiger meat.