What Now?

I had a grand, lengthy article all planned discussing the NFL as we know it, and whether or not it's even worth continuing to watch. But I'm going to put that on hold - partly because I haven't made up my mind, and I don't want to say anything without full consideration. For the moment, I'm grasping for hope. I'm not confident, but I haven't given up completely. That being said, I still have enough motivation at 11:30 p.m. to discuss my thoughts on tomorrow's game. 

We've Lost Our Identity

Here we have, not only an Adrian Petersonless team, but a team who knows they will be without him for quite some time. Frankly, I don't think Zimmer or any fan in the great state of Minnesota (or Nebraska) thinks they Vikings have enough running power to be the same team they were with AP. AP's backups just aren't ready to put the team on their backs. We can no longer be a successful running machine. Adrian Peterson was the face - the identity - of the Minnesota Vikings. We are now the Minnesota Jason Bourne's - trying to figure out who we are. 

That's not a great place to be when you have a struggling quarterback who was signed with the full knowledge that the man BEHIND him would actually be running the team. The team you will watch tomorrow (and probably the rest of the season) will not the be Minnesota Vikings. It will be a team with a new coach - with no home stadium - with no star running back - with no top tier quarterback - and with no confidence. 

Waiting on Superman

For this season to land anywhere near my orignal 9-7 prediction, the Minnesota Vikings need a miracle - Superman to fall from the sky. Maybe that superhero is Zimmer coaching lights out football. Maybe it's a defense that plays like a stone wall. Maybe it's Patterson maturing far faster than expected. Maybe it's Cassel rubbing a little magic from a Brett Favre jersey. Wherever it comes from, the Vikings need it - desperately. 

Best Case Scenerio

I apologize for a depressing article. Some people think the NFL's future looks bleak. Try being a Vikings fan. My prediction for tomorrow's game won't lift your spirits. The Saints are in desperate need of a win. And at home...they'll get it in week three. No matter how "focussed" Zimmer says the team is - they're not. I predict Zimmer tries to continue being a running team, and it just doesn't work. Cassel will throw 1-2 interceptions and maybe one touchdown, and ultimately Drew Brees passes his way to a 31-13 victory. 

That Being Said...

Some of the greatest stories in sports are of teams rising from the ashes. You can skip tomorrow's game if you want. I would understand. But whether this year or in ten years - the magic will come back, and I don't want to miss it. 

Last Note

I did predict the Vikings would win their opener and lose the next four games, still enroute to a 9-7 win. So, don't lose all hope if we lose a couple more games in a row. We just have a lot of hard games right off the bat. MAYBE we will figure out this no Peterson thing by week 6.