I almost feel sorry for them - their team is going to get beat down so bad tomorrow it isn't even funny!

Even they're admitting it: http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/archives/185937.asp

http://www.fieldgulls.com/2009/11/19/1164568/ask-the-daily-norseman

Hasselback is already an eggshell - you know Jared Allen is smelling blood.  And, after last week, I don't know if anybody's going to leave Ray Edwards alone to double-team JA.

Anybody see a letdown here?  The Hawks have looked really good at times (vs Jax, at Ari--first half, etc.)

For the last few years, the Super Bowl champion has often been a team that goes undefeated gets talked about a lot flies under the radar during the regular season...

Thus far, the following teams seem to be getting most of the press:

New Orleans--Wow, what an amazing story.  Never been to a Super Bowl (bla bla bla).  Already won all of their tough games (bla bla bla).  This team could go undefeated (bla bla bla).

Indianapolis--No one can stop Peyton Manning (even though he almost always chokes in the playoffs).  This must be his magical year (to make another quick playoff exit)!

Baltimore--Wow, after three weeks we've beaten Kansas City, San Diego, and Cleveland.  Well, look at that, ESPN has us (HIGHLY OVERRATED) #1 in the polls!  Three losses bring them back to reality, but one good week against Denver, and here comes the talk again...  Pathetic.

Dallas--Wow, look how unbeatable they look (when they play at home) now...

Philadelphia--Wow, look how unbeatable they look (except when they play the Raiders, Saints, etc.) now...

The following teams seem to be flying under the radar:

Sleeper #1: NY Giants--Quietly working through some of their issues

Sleeper #2: San Francisco--Quietly sitting at 3-4, with close losses against Minn, Indy, and Houston.

Sleeper #3: New England--Seriously, why is no one talking about them?  I predict they waltz into the Super Bowl over Indy and Denver with little or no resistence (watch out, New Orleans, your first loss is coming up soon).

Sleeper #4: Cincinnati--Has anyone watched this team lately?  They are really good!  I am already fearing that December home date coming up.

The following teams are somewhere in the middle:

Minnesota--Perhaps one of the quietest 7-1 seasons I've ever seen - everyone's talking about Brett Favre's return, but where's the love for Percy?  How about Peterson (even if he is just a decoy)?  Special teams?

Denver--One loss and now everyone's forgotten about them

OK, good game - hard fought, and definitely interesting till the end.  I grew up in PA, so I have a lot of respect for this organization.  Now, on to the beef...

Even if there WAS a hold on the kickoff return...

That still doesn’t make up for the bad "tripping" call, because there’s no guarantee PITT would’ve scored on the ensuing possession.

The way I see it, even WITH a bad kickoff return called, PITT came out ahead:

• Without the "two bad calls": MIN up by 4.  (TOTAL momentum swing and the second INT probably doesn't happen.)
• With the "two bad calls": Both an INT return and a KO return - original score basically stays the same - PIT up by 3.  (Momentum shifts back to PIT and sets up a higher pressure situation where Favre has to force more throws, like the one to Chester that gets picked.)
  

OK...make your case that you would have won the game anyway...

Most people would argue against the Vikings being the best in the league right now...

However, are they the best suited to make a Super Bowl run?  Let's look at the stats:

Let's assume for the moment that the Vikings lose a few and wind up with a #2 or #3 seed...according to the numbers, this is actually a GOOD THING!

CHECK 1 - The top seed doesn't really mean anything.

• In the past 5 years, only FOUR (4) out of the TEN (10) #1 seeds actually made it to the Super Bowl AND
• ...ZERO (0) out of the TEN (10) #1 seeds actually WON the Super Bowl (2003 Patriots were the last).

CHECK 2 - Injuries usually take out 1/4 to 1/3 of the starters for nearly every team.

• Unlike the Saints, Colts, and Broncos, most of our reserves could be STARTERS!  We have GREAT depth at QB, RB, WR, and some linesmen.
• We're already starting to see the infirmary reports growing around the NFL - it will catch up to everyone soon...
  
• This will swing the pendulum in our favor as we move down the stretch run of the season.

CHECK 3 - Growing as a team and overcoming obstacles and challenges tends to prepare a team better for the playoffs.

• NO and IND have had a cakewalk - what's going to happen if they get cocky and just waltz into the playoffs?  Look at the 13-3 Colts a few years ago; how about the 13-3 Titans?  How about the 13-3 Cowboys?  All went home!
• Minnesota (and Denver, to a point) has faced TONS of adversity - the media, the pressure, the high expectations, not to mention THREE (3) NAIL-BITING WINS.

CHECK 4 - An All-Pro lineup

• Ladies and gentlemen, Brett Favre has been with us a total of 2 1/2 months, which, in football, is ALMOST NOTHING!  Look how much better Adrian played Sunday!  Look how much better Rice played! (ditto for Berrien, Harvin, Jared Allen, etc, etc, etc).  In other words, WE AIN'T SEEN NOTHING YET!
• Indianapolis, New Orleans, and Denver all have a lot of no-names who happen to be having good years.  Have they really proven themselves?  Yes, early on.  However, the real pressure lies in the playoffs, and I'd bet my odds on Brett Favre over anyone, the way he's playing right now--plus his EXPERIENCE and DEPTH AROUND HIM.

So, anyone want to argue these checks?  Be my guest!  I, for one, am actually more excited than EVER!!!  The lack of attention, the depth, the adversity, and the all-pro caliber of our lineup makes me believe that, IN THE END...

No one will stop this train!!!!!!! NO ONE........................

With all the talk about who's better than who, I thought it would be neat to throw out the stats and look solely at the W/L record of the teams each have played.

So here goes:

Vikings (6-0):

1. Cleveland (1-5)
2. Detroit (1-5)
3. San Francisco (3-2)
4. Green Bay (3-2)
5. St. Louis (0-6)
6. Baltimore (3-3)
7. MIN AVERAGE OPP W/L (1.83/2.09)
8. MIN AVERAGE OPP Win Pct (.467)

Saints (5-0)

1. Detroit (1-5)
2. Philadelphia (3-2)
3. Buffalo (2-4)
4. NY Jets (3-3)
5. BYE
6. NY Giants (5-1)
7. N.O. AVERAGE OPP W/L (2.8/3)
8. N.O. AVERAGE OPP Win Pct (.483)

Colts (5-0)

1. Jacksonville (3-3)
   
2. Miami (2-3)
   
3. Arizona (3-2)
   
4. Seattle (2-4)
   
5. Tennessee (0-6)
   
6. BYE
7. IND AVERAGE OPP W/L (2/3.6)
8. IND AVERAGE OPP Win Pct (.357)

Broncos (5-0) [Pending Monday night's outcome]

1. Cincinnati (4-2)
   
2. Cleveland (1-5)
   
3. Oakland (2-4)
   
4. Dallas (3-2)
   
5. New England (4-2)
   
6. PENDING
7. DEN AVERAGE OPP W/L (2.8/3)
8. DEN AVERAGE OPP Win Pct (.483)

POWER RANKINGS based on Stength of Schedule ALONE:

1. Saints/Broncos (tie)
2. Vikings
3. Colts

I might give the Vikings a small edge, because they have 6 wins, and the rest have 5, making the top a virtual tie for the Vikes, Saints, and Broncos.  However, I think Peyton is better than his strength of schedule is giving him credit, so, after ALL THAT,

I think all four (4) teams are AWESOME!!!  lol  Who's the best?  Hmm...any given Sunday, my friend...

If any of you haven't yet seen the Brett Favre Sears commercials yet, it's ROTFLMFAO.  :)

Brett makes a decision and then says "Well, I don't know":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmMLBiXQY7g

Brett stays at the store until the late night hours and still can't make up his mind:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xDhi06XIAM

I appreciate Brett's willingness to put himself out there and make fun of himself like this...

Ladies and gentlemen,

We all feel warm and fuzzy about last night's win, but let's be legit here - the toughest part of our schedule lies ahead, and many are already talking about BAL and PIT.

Hmmmmmm....

There is some busy in the Arch town that needs to be settled first.

The last FOUR times MINN has played STL, MINN has been many odds' FAVORITE.  Let's take a look at the last four final scores, shall we?

1. December 31, 2006 - St. Louis 41, Minnesota 21
2. November 30, 2003 - St. Louis 48, Minnesota 17
3. December 10, 2000 - St. Louis 40, Minnesota 29
4. January 16, 2000 (Playoff Game) - St. Louis 49, Minnesota 37

Obviously both teams have changed a lot through the years, but there's something to be said about putting up 40+ on a team every time you play them.  Say what you will--there is a PSYCHOLOGY at play here.

Yes, we have Favre, Peterson, Taylor, Allen, Harvin, and all the rest.

Before, we had Moss, Carter, Smith, McDaniel, Randle, etc.

THIS IS NOT A GIMME - PLEASE Brad make sure you prepare this team to go in there and DOMINATE.  That Rams team will be starving for a win!!!

Hi guys, I'm a fan from the Daily Norseman, but I grew up in PA, love the Steelers in the AFC, and thought you'd enjoy this post...

I'm sure most of you don't pay much heed to the Power Rankings.  However, in this case, I have to stop the insanity...

I'm referring to our Purple counterparts in the state of Mary.

Yes, folks, I'm talking about none other than the team we will see in two weeks--the Baltimore Ravens.

Come on, now--obviously this team has improved, but to rank them higher than the likes of Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Drew Brees, and Brett Favre (all of whom have 3-0 records, BTW)?

Let's evaluate the teams Baltimore has faced...

• Kansas City (0-3)---LOL, that's all I can say about that
  
• San Diego (2-1)---Wow, the Ravens win against an OLD, OVERRATED team with a failing defense, a has-been RB--SD BARELY won against Oakland
  
• Cleveland (0-3)---LOL again

Hmm, the Ravens have faced teams with a combined 2-7 record, the LOWEST of all of the 3-0 teams in the entire league.

Still think I'm chasing the wrong rabbit?  What do you all think?  I think they should be 5-6, at the highest.

I'm sure most of you don't pay much heed to the Power Rankings.  However, in this case, I have to stop the insanity...

I'm referring to our Purple counterparts in the state of Mary.

Yes, folks, I'm talking about none other than the team we will see in two weeks--the Baltimore Ravens.

Come on, now--obviously this team has improved, but to rank them higher than the likes of Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Drew Brees, and Brett Favre (all of whom have 3-0 records, BTW)?

Let's evaluate the teams Baltimore has faced...

• Kansas City (0-3)---LOL, that's all I can say about that
  
• San Diego (2-1)---Wow, the Ravens win against an OLD, OVERRATED team with a failing defense, a has-been RB--SD BARELY won against Oakland
  
• Cleveland (0-3)---LOL again

Hmm, the Ravens have faced teams with a combined 2-7 record, the LOWEST of all of the 3-0 teams in the entire league.

Still think I'm chasing the wrong rabbit?  What do you all think?  I think they should be 5-6, at the highest.

Some people thrive on saying the opposite of what Vikings fans are everyone else is thinking.  They, instead, pressured by Packers and Bears fans, choose to bestow their "wisdom" on all of us, albeit probably to provoke a reaction.

"Brett Favre isn't as clutch as you think"

Um... excuse me, David Fleming (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=fleming/090930&sportCat=nfl), but he looked rather clutch to me last Sunday.  Let's evaluate your argument...

"I mean, Comeback No. 37 on Sept. 9, 2007 was a classic: a four-play, 6-yard drive that led to a last-second 42-yard field goal to beat Philly, 16-13"

Hmm...since when is holding your own, not making a mistake, and getting your FG kicker an extra 6 yards un-clutch?  After all, they only needed a FG to win, not a TD.  Seems to me Brett made the smart move, don't you???

"Comeback No. 39? Oct. 29, 2007, an 82-yard pass to Greg Jennings that gave the Packers a 19-13 win over the Broncos in OT...it was in overtime with the score tied at 13. It's a hallmark play, no question, one of the all-time great game-winning throws in Packer lore, but it's still not a comeback and, sadly, doesn't belong on The List."

(Waits for the gasps and laughing to subside)

Ummm - what exactly does it take to impress you, Mr. Fleming?  (must be a disgrutled Browns fan - I'd be a pouty-face too)

"He now has ten game-winning touchdown passes thrown in the final two minutes of play. Not 43."

Perhaps you're right, David.  I think that Favre definitely should have allowed his opponents to hang around, swing the momentum back their way, and make it that much more agonizing tiring exhausting impressive at the end.

In the words of Bill O'Reilly, this guy is definitely a pinhead...