I suspect many long term Vikings fans were feeling like Admiral Akbar about the Rams. I really have to apologize (and not just for my profound dorkitude). I'm responsible for the contents of the blog, and sometimes, due to the necessities of daily life, I fail to compose a proper post. Even when some of my friends are eagerly providing entertaining, if not always family friendly and sound content. The following is an actual email from Bert that arrived in my inbox on Saturday evening:

Hey - get on it. We need to {expletive deleted} post something. Here are my thoughts on the game.

THE DAILY NORSEMAN says: "All signs point to Week 5 being a dreaded trap game for the Vikings. In the past, it's exactly the kind of game the Vikings have either made way too close (the "moral defeat" as Bill Simmons put it in today's article) or lost outright.

But you know what? I'm not buying it. I say the Vikings methodically take care of business this week. This is the 2009 Vikings, and it looks like they just might know how to close out games they should win.

STAR TRIBUNE STAFF says:

Sid Hartman - Vikings 28, Rams 14

Patrick Reusse - Vikings 16, Rams 0

Jim Souhan - Vikings 128, Rams 2

Judd Zulgad - Vikings 34, Rams 10

Chip Scoggins - Vikings 31, Rams 6

Mark Craig - Vikings 34, Rams 17

EATEN PURPLE PEOPLE says:

Short week, road game, coming off of a big emotional win....hmmmmm.

In the Denny era this game was as good as pre-lost.

In the Tice era, the staff would be game planning for the Ravens game and starting the party planning for the bye week.

When TJack ran the show , you could count on as many fumbled snaps as were necessary to keep the Rams in it for the whole game.

In the early Chilly era, we would run a variety of plays designed to gain 3.33 yards if executed perfectly and then hope the measurement crew bailed us out.

But E.P.P. is here to tell you - not this year. We remember the 1998 Vikings that would win these games by 3-4 TD's going away.

As journeyman amateur contributors to the Strib Viking coverage, sign me up for 38-10 Viking dominance and some good rest for the starters for the Raven's game.

SKOL VIKINGS

Well done Bert. Best prediction you ever made. Unfortunately, I'm the only one who will ever believe you....