Fraters Libertas

A Purple Pangloss

What a difference a week makes. After embarrassing themselves in Cincinnati last Sunday, the Vikings circled the wagons today and did what they had to do to down the New Orleans Saints. It was far from a flawless effort, but compared to what we witnessed in the first few weeks, it was quite satisfactory. Dante looked like Dante again. I was especially impressed with the way he spread the ball around to different receivers. It was also nice to see that Troy Williamson show that he may be the deep threat the Vikings so desperately need. And the defense did just enough (with a lot of help from the error prone Saints) to keep the Saints offense under wraps for most of the day.

But the most encouraging news for Vikings fans is not that the team finally showed up. It's that the NFC North is the NL West of the NFL. From "top" to bottom, it may be the worst division ever fielded in the history of the National Football League. The Lions are leading the desiccated pack with a 1-1 record after having a bye today. Their win came against the 0-3 Packers and last week they were destroyed by the Bears, who sit tied with the Vikings in second place at 1-2. Did I mention that the Packers are 0-3? And that two of those losses have come on the hallowed ground of Lambeau Field? You can almost feel the cloud of Green and Gold angst hanging over the state of Wisconsin from here.

There is no excusing the two losses that the Vikings had to open the campaign. But the losses are now looking a little more reasonable in light of the fact that both teams that beat the Vikings are now 3-0. The Bengals mauled the Bears today in Chicago, while the Tampa Bay pillaged the Pack for a rare win for the Bucs at Lambeau Field. Did I mention that the Packers are 0-3?

Yes, next week will be tough for the Purple as they head to Atlanta to take on Michael Vick and the Falcons. Vick has made the Vikings defense look silly in the past and Mike Tice's squad doesn't exactly have a rep as road warriors. But for now, it's time to savor the victory and keep the impossible dream alive. Having a record of one win and two losses ain't quite where most Vikings fans thought the team would be right now, but it's a hell a lot better than being 0-3. Did I mention that the Packers...