Down But Not Out

Last week, for the third straight game, the Vikings fell behind early in a game. And again, the Vikings fought back. Last Sunday, the Vikings were down 7-19 before coming to life. It started off badly as Detroit's Eddie Drummond took the opening kick 92 yards for the score. It looked like a slow death for Minnesota as Detroit scored on two of their next three drives. Oddly enough, the game saver was holding Detroit to a field goal in the second quarter.

But this game did not look unfamiliar. In fact, we saw this two straight weeks when Minnesota faced Green Bay and Indianapolis. Against the Colts, the Vikings were quickly down 0-14 and this game looked like a Monday night-mare. But the Vikings fought back eventually losing on a Mike Vanderjagt 35-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in the game. It looked bad the next weekend, too. The Packers scored on their opening drive (as did the Colts) and though the Vikings tried to keep pace, this was a depressing 10-24 deficit at halftime.

But again the Vikings did not despair or give up. They met heartbreak again as Packer kicker Ryan Longwell nailed a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the game.

You could call those losses back-breakers but the Vikings did not give up. Down, down, and down, the Vikings could have easily been buried in any of these games. Instead the Vikings fought back and lost by only a field goal. And after two straight close losses after coming from behind, the Vikings prevailed against the Lions. Yep, the Vikings were down but never out. If you need positive thoughts, look at these games and wonder what's in store...

The Fans Need to Step Up, Too!

Throughout the Detroit game before the comeback, the fans booed the Vikings off the field. I have to say shame on you fans. Do you really think booing motivates these guys to win? I urge you to cheer all game long and show their guys you care without booing. The Lions must have been laughing and enjoying it until the roof caved in on them. Frankly, I was embarrased to see such a display by fans of a team tied for first place in their division.

Promise

Though against a weaker opponent, the fight these Vikings show must provide promise and obviously this year is not last year. The Vikings are playing tough and now face a great challenge with their next 5 games against playoff or divisional opponents. The situation favors the Vikings with all the potential playoff teams coming to Minnesota.

For those haters who love to complain about the Vikings and deep down would prefer to see the Vikings collapse (you know who you are!), you could get your wish. If you want to see a collapse, like last year, it could come against a team wearing dark red on the road. After facing the playoff and divisional foes, the Vikings wrap up at the Washington Redskins to face a team that will likely have nothing to play for except pride (Washington is currently 3-7). Does that sound like the Cardinals game last year?



Bleed on,
Don

Missing Aaron Elling?

Who really thought this was possible: the Vikings miss Aaron Elling. Yes, it's true. Elling, once cut, is now an important part of the Vikings team and his absence hurts.

Yep, this is the same guy the Vikings cut on August 31st after an unimpressive preseason. In fact, Elling's lack of kicking consistency led the Vikings to cut him and scramble to unearth veteran Morten Andersen. But Elling's bad kicking did not end his career. In fact, after being released, Elling auditioned for the Tennessee Titans who did not sign Elling but instead went with unrelated kicking legend Gary Anderson, also an ex-Viking.

But cutting Elling only solved one problem. When Morten Andersen signed on 7 September, another problem existed. The Vikings had a hole to fill. Being a veteran, Andersen's skills were best used scoring points and his leg didn't have enough to drive kickoffs and to power the longer field goals. Before you even think about ripping Andersen (#7), consider this: Morten started his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints in 1982!

But back to Elling (who oddly enough was born in 1978, just 4 years before Andersen broke in with the Saints). Though maligned in the preseason and since he was re-signed on 17 September, now Vikings fans are realizing just how valuable Aaron is. Elling left the field honorably after breaking an ankle making a tackle and now the Vikings and Viking fans miss him more than they ever thought they would.

Please don't take this as an attack on the newest Viking Jose Cortez. I respect him for coming in and doing his job. I'm also very happy for him to be playing in the National Football League again after time away. However, I do think it funny that a guy the Vikes could cut now is injured and that is coming back to haunt the Vikings.

Isn't life funny?


Bleed on,
Don

Kickin' Butt and Gettin' Your Butt Kicked

Wow, one week you're coasting to victory and the next week, you're blown out by halftime.

Last Sunday the New York Giants handed it to the Minnesota Vikings 34-13. The week before, while the Vikings were whipping on Tennessee 20-3, the Giants were destroyed at home by the Lions by a score of 28-13. This week, the Lions fell apart at the hands of Dallas 31-21.

On Monday night, the Jets embarrassed the Miami Dolphins 41-14. Last week, the Dolphins earned their first victory with a 31-14 butt-kicking of the Saint Louis Rams. Meanwhile this week the Atlanta Falcons whooped up on the Denver Broncos 41-28 in Denver after last week suffering eight (8) rushing touchdowns during a 10-56 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs. What's going on?

More importantly, what's going to happen? And what does it mean when you get your butt kicked? Does it mean you're due to deliver yourself?

In today's NFL, one week you're dishing it out and the next week you're getting your lumps. This trend doesn't even spare the undefeated. Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers tacked one loss on the previously undefeated New England Patriots 34-20.

Honestly, I don't know what to expect week to week especially next Monday night. The truth is that anything can happen.



Bleed on,
Don