At the intersection of Hope and Belief: Vikings at the bye.

image via.

As recipients of the final NFL bye week, it’s time to put the current season of the Minnesota Vikings into perspective.

In all honesty 8-3 surpasses expectations eleven games in.

Let’s take some time to harken back to my team season preview.

“This team can go anywhere from 6-10 to Superb Owl champion.

I am utterly fucking clueless as to which.”

“I have absolutely no faith in the offense until they prove themselves. This team has two of the best receivers in the game and a potentially great running game, with a guy who can catch passes too, plus the new double TE action. The pieces are there.”

Firm but fair.

After starting the season in agonizing fashion against the goddamn Packers – should have won that fucking thing – due to one of the only actual enforcements of the idiotic pass interference review challenge this entire goddamn season (Vikings had a touch down taken away) the dipshit, soon to be brought down to fucking Earth Packers came away with a victory. Thus far the only truly cringe worthy game (apart from the first half of the Broncos game) was a basic offensive no-show against the Bears in Chicago.

My bile spewing and venting against our idiot fucking quarterback was in truly rare form following that one. The Vikings after 4 weeks were at 2-2 and it looked like the season was going to be another shitshow.

Then something unexpected happened. The Vikings won six of their next 7 including quality wins over the Cowboys, Eagles and Raiders with the only loss in Kansas City in what was a winnable game. The quarterback even looked, dare I say, more than competent.

Do you realize that “he-who-shall-still-remain-nameless” is 7th overall in passing? Motherfucker has 2,756 yards passing along with 21 TDs and only 3 picks.

That’s like good and shit.

He started to throw the ball with a little more confidence rather than holding the goddamn thing until getting overwhelmed by half of the onrushing defense. He’s putting the ball into some tight windows and is even throwing some pretty damn good looking long balls.

Who the fuck is this guy?

The real renaissance has come from the offensive line and particularly their ability to run block. Pass blocking is still a work in progress. Between the O-line cohesion and a FINALLY healthy Dalvin Cook the Vikings rank 3rd in total rushing yards, 4th in rushing yards per game and 4th in overall points scored.

Did not see that coming!

Cook is 2nd in the league rushing wise with 1017 yards, 11 TDs and a 4.8 YPC average. Sexy!  This year he’s proving that he’s one of the best in the game and totally not the fantasy football albatross from previous seasons.

pictured – albatross  

The injury this year, and aren’t there always goddamn injuries, was to receiver Adam Thielen who injured a hamstring in a Week 7 win against the Lions. Word around the campfire is he might be back for the Vikings next game in Seattle.

TBD.

Stephon Diggs has stepped the fuck up at receiver after some early season grumblings that I say successfully forced our dipshit QB to wake the fuck up and just throw the goddamn ball already! Diggs is 6th overall in receiving yards (880 so far) and has 5 touchdown catches. Plus rookie Irv Smith has started to show up on game days and has been a reliable outlet receiver.

Not just anybody can rock Randy Moss’ old jersey number you know.

The bad? What the fuck happened to the defensive secondary? Long a strength of this team, they now rank 19th! in passing yards allowed per game. And theoretically they’re healthy! Xavier Rhodes has not been the shutdown corner of “Rhodes Closed!” fame. While Trae Waynes has seen steady improvement this year, combined? They are not getting it done. The run defense is as stout as always (6th in rushing yards allowed per game) and the pass rush is as badass as always. Danielle Hunter is tied for 7th in sacks with 8.5 sacks.

If the secondary somehow gets it’s collective shit together things could begin to look promising.

The Vikings remaining schedule is home friendly with 3 of the remaining 5 played in this lovely fucking palace.

From here it’s continues with a game in Seattle, home to host Detroit, back out here to Carson and Boltmans’

abandoned team (there is a distinct possibility I may attend that one) then the Vikings close the season with home games against the Packers and Bears. That Packers game could be for the division title and maybe a home game or two in the playoffs.

So, the whole “Hope vs Belief” thing. I very much have a reserve of hope for this team and this season. That’s what we do as football fans dammit, we hope!

Now, do I believe yet?

FUCK NO!

Before the victories against Philly and Dallas I said the same thing, “If they can win this one then maybe I’ll start to believe.” The won both and I still don’t trust our idiot goddamn quarterback. Any Vikings fan worth their salt and especially us life long bastards have had their nuts ripped off and handed back to them gift-wrapped…

so many fucking times, that I’m not sure belief is even possible at this point.

But I do hope!

Revised prediction 12-4, division champions and NFC championship game!

I hope.

SKOL!