VIKINGS!

I admit, I'm still not convinced the Vikings are good enough to be 4-1 this season.

I've seen opposing defenses drop Christian Ponder interceptions that would have given those teams wins against the Vikings. I've seen one of our running backs have three fumbles in three and a half minutes. Those things can't continue or we will start losing a lot. For now, we've just been lucky.

Let's not forget, we've also seen the Vikings special teams deliver multiple TDs. Those things are NOT the norm, either. They most likely will not continue.

Our defense HAS been good. That has to continue. The offense has to be more consistent. Ponder specifically has to stop throwing those dumb passes that could cost us wins. The two Ponder INTs Ponder threw last week were the same exact types of passes that other teams miraculously dropped in previous weeks.  What we saw LAST week was the real Ponder. He's been like that all season but we tend to forget the equally bad passes that defenders didn't easily catch and run back for TDs in the games we won. He forces passes when under pressure and he throws stupid passes. So far, those passes have not hurt us. BUT if he keeps throwing them, the odds will catch up with him just like every other quarterback.

Robert Griffith III is one of the league's rising stars. he wants to prove to everyone today that he's fully recovered from last weeks concussion, and most likely he'll be encouraged to THROW the ball more this week rather than run. What's odd is that he WAS better known for his crisp passing in college more than his running. He is a great passer, and the Vikings defense is very likely to see that on display this afternoon.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the Vikings get beat today because of it. We need a near flawless game to win this week. I don't see our team living up to that ideal.

TWO last notes:

The Bears do not play this week. The Vikings will either be alone in first after today's game OR they will be in second place. No more "tied for first" either way.

The Packers are suffering and they face the best team in football, the Texans, at Houston tonight in prime time. I'm not optimistic about their chances either.