The Minnesota 'Mirage'?
by GeoMak on Oct 24, 2009 6:57 PM CDT
38 comments
Bill Parcells once famously said that "You are what your record says you are."
I agree. The Minnesota Vikings, at 6-0, are one of the best teams in the NFL.
But look a little closer. They have played three home games and three away games.
Their three away games have been against (in order) Cleveland, Detroit and St. Louis. Christmas came early for the Vikings this year. Cause I'm pretty sure that, if you had to 'order up' your first three road games in 2009, you'd probably pick such dogs as the Browns, the Lions and the Rams. Just guessing.
God is truly on your side when you have those three losers as your first road trips in 2009.
Compare that to the Bears (at GB, at Seattle and at Atlanta). Lambeau is always a difficult place to play. Even though Seattle is struggling in recent years, it's never easy to go West and play in Seattle, one of the loudest and most difficult stadiums for visitors to play in. Atlanta, of course, was a playoff team last season and one of the better young teams in the NFL.
It's no contest as to who has had the tougher road schedule so far in 2009.
The Vikings three home games in 2009 have been against the 49ers, the Packers and the Ravens. Not that it matters but they won those three games by a combined 12 points.
They barely beat SF, needing one of Favre's greatest last second plays to do so. They barely beat Baltimore, needing a missed FG by Baltimore at the end of the game to secure their victory. They did beat GB at home, but clearly they had a big emotional advantage what with Favre playing against his former team in the MetroDome.
To recap: Three road wins against three of the sorriest teams in the NFL (combined 2-16). Two home games victories (SF/Baltimore) that they could've/probably should've lost. And one home game victory (GB) where they had a clear emotional advantage.
Beyond that, the Vikings have allowed 400+ yards in their last three games. Previously, opponents reached the 400 yard mark just THREE times in their last 35 games.
They go to Pittsburgh tomorrow and GB next week. We'll see how good Minnesota is during this stretch, on the road against a couple of real NFL teams. Meanwhile the Bears have the Bengals and the Browns. It's CRITICAL that the Bears make a move now, so that their late season games against Minnesota aren't meaningless games.
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Agreed........................
Minnesota is a paper tiger. Plus, I don’t think a 40-year old Favre can stay upright for the entire season. I even saw in one power ranking where the comment was, “The Vikings have gotten lucky a couple times to remain undefeated but that is what good teams do.” Are you kidding me? The Viqueens and the Gints are overrated this year, that Gints D isn’t what it once was.
Our new DOOMesday Defense!!!! YOU LIKE??????????????
by Broncofan on Oct 24, 2009 8:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
How about the Broncos?
Are they overrated?
by Salty on Oct 24, 2009 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL ask me in a few weeks, 6 games does not a season make.
Our new DOOMesday Defense!!!! YOU LIKE??????????????
by Broncofan on Oct 24, 2009 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Somehow 6 games in you determined that the Vikings were a paper tiger though.
by Salty on Oct 25, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Denver is good but things have gone perfect for them so far
At worst these guys should be 5-1. (Immaculate deflection) I’m interested to see what a little adversity would do to this team
by Dils on Oct 25, 2009 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right, thats what I want to see as well.
Our new DOOMesday Defense!!!! YOU LIKE??????????????
by Broncofan on Oct 25, 2009 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought that about Minnesota last year too. Adding Favre has made them better on O, but can he stay upright for the whole season. If he does, Kudos to him.
Our new DOOMesday Defense!!!! YOU LIKE??????????????
by Broncofan on Oct 25, 2009 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What?
Stop being weird, Do you know how many games Farve has played in row? I really doubt Farve cant stay upright this year. Another thing, Jay Cutler is such a baby. I would have to say that his press conferences are some of the worst ones I’ve ever seen, terrible. Soon his gameplay will mimick his conferences, terrible. At least you dont have Orton anymore, easier wins for the Vikings. Join the Vikings quest for Victory.
"You thought you could beat my team, but yours decided to go have ice cream. Bow to my awesomeness" Brad Childress
by packerslayer on Oct 25, 2009 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oops
correction— Farve to Favre. Im sure Im not the first to do that. Vikings rule
"You thought you could beat my team, but yours decided to go have ice cream. Bow to my awesomeness" Brad Childress
by packerslayer on Oct 25, 2009 1:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't Even Spell Your Starting Quarterbacks Name?
WOW! You are quite the ultra fan there slayer. Although I can’t say I’m surprised.
by Gesiakob on Oct 25, 2009 2:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jay Cutler is such a baby
Do you even have a brain… WTF does this have to do with his on the field skills
“like luulllllzzz omg, Brett Favre can’t decide if he wants to retire”
come back with some substance, or shut up
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
"No offense intended" does not jive with posting in the heat of the moment.
by BearNecessities on Oct 25, 2009 5:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even Bret is fed up with Bret....
he’s giving himself the finger!
by BearFan611 on Oct 25, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
press conference?
Press conference? We talkn bout press conference? Not a game not a game press conference? Channeled A. I. there for a minute but I could careless what my quarterback says at a press conference as long as he is performing well on the field.
by Chuckiep on Oct 25, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
we'll see a lot more about how good the vikings are
in this next couple of games. they did catch a couple of breaks but they still seem like the team to beat so far, records notwithstanding. i think the bears schedule in nov/dec is a major plus for da home team this year. i forget who it was here that was predicting a crappier run d for the vikings this year but they are spot on so far.
by reefermadness3 on Oct 24, 2009 9:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If Minnesota doesnt win It All and Frave after this Year?
If Minnesota does not win the Super Bowl this season it will be a complete loss to team. Will Favre even return after this season? The Vikings brought him for the soul purpose of winning the Super Bowl this year. Since it looks like they will be making the playoffs this, unless of a Huge Down-fall. They will be drafting near the lower-end of the draft for a QB, or they will have to go to T. Jackson or Sage R. The Bears traded for Cutler in the hope of ten or more years (crossing-fingers right now) and a couple Super Bowl’s down the road. I would rather have the UP-Side of Cutler rather than the Down-side of Favre’s career.
by Nando21 on Oct 24, 2009 9:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
2004-2007
was the downside of his career.
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
"No offense intended" does not jive with posting in the heat of the moment.
by BearNecessities on Oct 25, 2009 5:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The next two weeks are critical.
But, if the Vikes win these next two weeks by a slim margin, are you going to have another post saying that those wins really don’t count and that the Vikes don’t deserve their record?
When you go to somebody's house, you don't crap on their floor. Being a fan of one team does NOT give you license to be a dick to fans of another.
Corollary: When people are visiting your house and behaving themselves, them being a fan of a different team is NOT a reason for you to piss in their beer.
Brought to you by Carl's Jr.
by Robert Rence on Oct 24, 2009 11:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Finally
something real.
Probably, but isn’t that what division rivals do? we lost to Green Bay in week one, but they still suck ;)
you guys are playing good football, and just like always it’s usually a couple plays making the difference between 6-0, and 0-6
"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler
"No offense intended" does not jive with posting in the heat of the moment.
by BearNecessities on Oct 25, 2009 5:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
notwith standing bret favre who wont be standing by the end of the season. he will be lucky if he is able to play i predict he will not play after week 8 maybe 9. if he does get to start at soldier field he could very well wish he hadnt.
by stepeo on Oct 25, 2009 10:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not sure if it's been said but
Does anyone realize that these guys have only played one, count ’em, one game outside all season so far? And that was against Cleveland. Every other game has been in a dome.
by Dils on Oct 25, 2009 10:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
good catch
Favre’s outdoor / bad weather performances the last few years have been pretty awful, so it will be ineresting to see how that unfolds.
by BearFan611 on Oct 25, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As a Bears fan
It’s so frustrating watching the Vikes take advantage of a schedule laid out like that. Then to watch them win a couple of those games that they shouldn’t have won is even worse. Meanwhile we give one away to Atlanta. Let’s hope these guys have a little bad luck over the next few weeks and drop a few games.
by Dils on Oct 25, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
December 2007
game at Soldier Field is a great example of that. 50 mph winds and cold…I believe he threw three picks vs zero for KO.
by rocko1 on Oct 25, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL!
You somehow managed to fit KO in that sentence.
by Dils on Oct 25, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But the more I think of it
The Vikings should be 6-0. The NFL scheduled a team that plays half its games in a dome already, to play 5 of it’s first 6 games in a dome? It’s almost like they tried to hand the division to these guys.
by Dils on Oct 25, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
11 out of 16
games in a friggin dome? Who made out their schedule…Joe Kapp? Doesn’t seem fair with only one potential cold weather game… Bears in late December. If the Bears can take care of business in the next three games, we can catch them.
by rocko1 on Oct 25, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We play
almost the same schedule as the Queens. Ours is staggered a little more. We gotta win the same games they do and we can catch ’em
by brands735 on Oct 25, 2009 11:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Not really
The difference is that they are a dome team. They get to play in a controlled environment. So if the schedule is stacked so they get to start first 5 of their first 6 games in that environment, they have a better chance to get off to a great start, which they have. I do agree though that the Bears have a chance to catch them. I hope they do. They just don’t have that much room for error.
by Dils on Oct 25, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Vikings are a solid all-around team
To suggest otherwise or to be dismissive of their season so far is ignorant. It is very hard to quibble with the strenghts of the Vikings. Bottom line they are a distinctly better overall team that the Bears in 2009. The best running back on the planet, a great offensive line, a strong defense and Brett Favre.
"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)
by BLou on Oct 25, 2009 2:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Come off it already
The Vikings are above and beyond the best team in this division followed by the Packers, Bears, and Lions. You can say what you want to but at the end of the day, the Vikings are 10 times the better team than this embarrassment we root for, and you just come off looking foolish.
by McRipper on Oct 25, 2009 7:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Never rated the Vikings as a serious threat ...
…they’ve beaten three of the worst teams in football. Their secondary is terrible. Ravens AND the Niners should have beaten them. Ordinary team with a skewed record versus actual ability …..
by Irish Bears Fan on Oct 26, 2009 3:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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