BY: NCViking

Yes, it was settled even before the game started. The hottest team in the NFL, with the gun-slinging quarterback and frightening pass rush was going to dominate the NFC Divisional Playoff Game in Minneapolis. The media had already punched their ticket to the Super Dome. Even Boomer (Chris Berman) picked against them, which almost always means a sure victory. Except, it wasn’t the Vikings who were favored by sports pundits in this game. Nobody really gave them a chance. 12-4 in the regular season, undefeated at home, a 44-7 season-ending blowout of the Giants, a bye, leading the league in sacks, fifth ranked offense, sixth ranked defense, hall of fame quarterback, one of the leagues best running backs and receivers, offensive rookie of the year, nine pro bowlers … on and on. No, this team was going to roll over and play dead against a hot “America’s Team”. Gee, how did they all get it so wrong? Sorry Madman.

34-3, a complete good guys blowout of the Cowboys. Me thinks the sports media drinketh too much Kool Aid. How soon they forgot that the Vikings were undefeated in the dome and had beaten teams there (since the bye) by a combined score of 172-46. Add in this playoff game and it is a staggering 206-49. That is an average score of 34-8. Score look familiar? Now, I am not saying that this team is capable of repeating this against an incredibly good Saints team on the road, but do you think they were a bit underestimated here? Conversely, the road has not been as kind to the Vikings so I anticipate them losing next week, but you never know. To sound off the cliché of all clichés: “That’s why you play the game.”

Good luck to the Eastern Illinois University grads coaching it out in the NFC Championship Game next week. I certainly do not want the Vikings to lose, but I couldn’t think of a better team to lose to if it happens.

SKOL Vikings!

• Why Are We Still Listening to Ben Bernanke? - August 31st, 2010
• Favre Returns for One More Year - August 18th, 2010
• Mosque at Ground Zero and the First Amendment - August 18th, 2010
• NFL Predictions 2010 - August 10th, 2010
• Basil Marceaux ... Magnificent! - July 23rd, 2010