Now is their chance

Posted 1/3/01

Now is their chance

By Andrew Vitalis, special to the Post Review

I was home during the holiday season, basking in the sunshine, and I overheard a conversation on the Vikings. It was your typical conversation. "They are just teasing us", "I can't believe they won as many games as they did", or the popular comment of choice "They suck." I quickly remembered how fair weather we Viking fans are. Lets be honest, how many of us really thought they would win 11 games, win the NFC Central, have a first round bye in the playoffs and be three games from the Super Bowl? Answer: Nobody. But still, despite the overachieving, we still bash them like they were the Cincinnati Bengals. Well, I am going to stop the trend and praise the purple and gold. In addition, I am going to go a step further and even mention the Vikings and the Super Bowl in the same sentence.

That's right, I think they have a shot and I will tell you why. The Vikes received two Christmas presents a bit late with the losses of St. Louis and Tampa Bay but I guess it's the thought that counts. That is very significant because they were the two best teams in the NFC. If the Rams and the Vikings played ten games, the Rams would win all ten. Just look at the last two times we played them for proof. As for Tampa, there is no question about it, they underachieved, but considering that they possess the most dangerous defense in the NFC and they know the Vikings the best out of any teams in the playoffs, their loss to Philly was a blessing. Now, quietly, the Vikings are the only team left in the NFC who had a winning record a season ago. You might ask "Why is that important?" Easy. Experience, and the Vikes hold that very important edge.

The Vikings are also one loss away from holding home field throughout the playoffs. If the Giants, who are the number one seed, lose to Philadelphia, we should once again see the NFC Championship game take place in the Metrodome. A Giants loss is very realistic and probably even expected. The Giants have already beaten the Eagles twice this season. Both teams are very familiar with one another and the Eagles just may have the Giants number this time around.

Now I realize that I am overlooking the Saints and here is why. True their defense is good but the Purple and Gold hold three advantages. First of all, that important aspect of playoff experience. Don't believe me? How is this. Last weeks victory over the Rams was their first EVER postseason victory. Because of that, we have no idea how the Saints will respond after last week's victory Second, the Vikings have had an extra week of rest.

Now I know most fans are concerned about the Vikings play of late but believe me, an extra week of rest can make the difference. That extra week allowed some important injuries to heal, a luxury the Saints do not have.
The third advantage is the Metrodome. Even though the Saints also play on Astroturf, the Metrodome brings on several challenges for the opposing team.

Namely, how the noise will effect the young quarterback Aaron Brooks. My guess is that it will pose a problem and the Vikings can use that to help their less than adequate defense.
Experience again will play a factor in the NFC Championship game if the Vikes can get that far. I think that will be enough to push them into the big show. Now, before I said they would go to the Super Bowl but I never said they would win it. Whichever AFC team makes the biggest game of the year (Tennessee, Baltimore, Oakland), will run away with the title. So, once again we will be presented with a Super Bowl loss, our fifth in the history of the franchise. I know if this happens, the insults and complaints will start. I wish I could stop that but I can't. In the end I only ask one thing. After we stunk up the joint in the preseason, remember where you thought they would end up at the end of the season. I'd say chances are pretty good they did better than you expected.