I was just as surprised as you all were

Instead of trying to revise my own history, I’ll be honest about my prediction for this past Sunday’s Packers-Vikings game. I thought the game would be close, but my wife’s beloved Packers would pull away at the end and add another win to their record. I just couldn’t see how my home state Vikings could possibly get over the hump of losing close games to winning teams, especially the Packers.

In recent years, it’s been a tough task for any NFC North team to beat the Pack under head coach Matt LaFleur. Before Sunday’s game, in his first three seasons, LaFleur has gone 13-1 against the Packers’ divisional foes, with the only loss coming from the Vikings. We added a second one to his loss category on Sunday, and it was quite a sight to see. The Vikings actually kept up with the Packers’ offense, and our defense did just enough to keep Aaron Rodgers and company from running away with another divisional win. I have to say it felt good to get a win over the undisputed division leaders, especially considering the hard-luck season the Vikings have endured so far. I don’t know many times I heard it on Sunday, but I’m now well aware that the Vikings have led every game they’ve played in by at least seven points this season, even though they’ve lost half of those games, usually in the last quarter or in overtime. It’s kind of a mixed blessing to have that kind of reputation midway through the season. The league knows your team is not a total pushover, but about half the time, they’ll fold like a cheap suit as the game wears on.

So, forgive me for being a little pessimistic as the Vikings hosted the NFCleading Packers, with their 8-2 record. Some years I have a lot of confidence in the boys in purple to beat the their greenand- gold rivals, especially at home, but this was not one of those years. Aside from the New Orleans fiasco and the one game Rodgers didn’t play, the Packers had seemed like an unstoppable force in the NFC. The Vikings, on the other end, seemed to always be looking for ways to lose creatively.

The fact that Minnesota’s victory came on a last-minute field goal makes the win all that more satisfying. Usually, whenever a game comes down to whether our guy can a kick a ball between two posts — no matter the distance — Vikings fans just expect to be disappointed. This Greg Joseph fella may have just broken a curse — temporarily, at least — that will give us Minnesota fans a reason for hope as the second half of the season unfurls.

Speaking of kickers, sorry about that whole Mason Crosby-has-the-yips thing. They definitely feel your pain over in Minnesota, but more than likely, they’re hoping it lasts at least until the Packers host the Vikes at Lambeau on Jan. 2.

OUT FOR A WALK

KEVIN O’BRIEN

EDITOR