Vikings

You just have to love the NFL and its way of thinking. The Vikings play three of their first four games this coming season away from the Dome. Two NFC North opponents (Detroit and Chicago) to start the season. Then the Browns at home. Then Pittsburgh at London. The odd thinking? The Vikings are the designated "home team" in London so it will LOOK like we don't have a miserable schedule to start the season.

I've never been happy with those stupid games in London. Europe likes the NFL, but the league would be nuts to actually put a franchise or two there. The jet-lag of teams flying back and forth to England or Germany every week would be idiotic.

IF the league wants to expand, Canada and L.A. would make more sense. So would half a dozen other metropolitan areas in the U.S. But the travel nightmare between the U.S. and Europe just wouldn't be fair for the teams or their fans.

I actually liked the NFL Europe League they had a few years back. Putting more time and money into THAT venture could have paid big dividends if the league had established more seasons there.

Oh well. IF the Vikes want to play with the big boys, they are going to have to put on their big girl panties and deal with it.

Me? I expect a 1-3 start to the season. Anything better would be a pleasant surprise. 0-4 wouldn't be out of the question either.