A Non-Stressful Vikings Game is Beginning to Feel Like a Mythical Creature
K. Joudry
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Unicorns. Sasquatch. Loch Ness Monster. Non-stressful Vikings game. All these things exist in a fantasy world.
Recently, Josh Frey noted that the Vikings yet again found themselves in a one-score game. It’s actually kind of remarkable, in an odd way. Apart from the Seattle win, Minnesota has been involved in down-to-the-wire games, ones that have mostly led to defeat.
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Perhaps we should have seen this coming. There was the overtime loss to the Bengals and then the heartbreaking missed kick against the Cardinals. Both losses felt like a gut punch. Little did we know that this was merely the appetizer to the full meal that has been the rest of the season. Many of us are terrified to see what’s on the dessert menu.
There was a brief moment of reprieve in Week 3 when Minnesota took down the Seahawks. Since then, no one has been able to track down a non-stressful Vikings game. Cleveland won by a single score. The Vikes beat the Lions and Panthers, but only after tossing away the lead late in the game. The Panthers game even required Kirk Cousins to be clutch twice since he had to also get the offense a score in OT.
Many hoped that the bye week would function as a nice reset on the season, allowing the team to move on from their stressful ways. Such thinking was foolish.
In both the Dallas and Baltimore games, Minnesota decided to give up the lead late. It has now been four consecutive games where the Vikings have failed to finish off a team. They were able to steal back the win against Detroit and Carolina; Dallas and Baltimore are more formidable foes.
Expectations, as I’ve often said, are a tricky thing. It’s probably in everyone’s best interest to adjust expectations going forward. Remember: it’s when the Vikings look like they’re fully in control that the fan ought to be most nervous.
There is no such thing as a safe purple lead. Adjust your thinking accordingly.