I got on the bus and left the Metrod...er....Mall of America Field after the Vikings beat the Ravens. There was none of the chanting, hooting, hollering or berating of fans wearing the opponent's color that usually accompanies a win. Instead the bus had a quiet, somber atmosphere with only idle conversation as background noise. As for the opponent's fans, they were greeted by the Vikings faithful with what could almost be categorized as a look of apology. (I even told a Ravens fan that I felt that this was a game where neither of the teams' fans were walking away happy...I don't think he bought it.)

When the Ravens' game winning field goal barely sailed wide left, the Mall of America Field erupted in cheers. I clapped and gave some awkward high fives to my wife and fans around me, but the raucous atmosphere died down in about a minute. Then the fans quietly shuffled out of the stadium with a bewildered look and all mouthing the same word, "Wow."

I sat on the bus and starting asking people if they saw what happened with the field goal. I was on the opposite side of the stadium so I didn't have a good look. I asked if the Vikings got a hand on the ball at all and possibly deflected the field goal. Well, it was less asking and more hoping out loud. I just wanted something to hang my proverbial Helga horns on.

I thought back to my post where I said that teams don't win football games, they survive them. I tried to remind myself to just enjoy the season. But this win was different.

In the 49ers game, although some people may have declared the win "lucky," I'll tell you this, if you had replaced Brett Favre with me, 100 out of 100 times that touchdown pass doesn't happen. In this case, if you replace me with one of the players on the Vikings' field goal blocking team, nothing changes. (Well, aside from me having a concussion and probably a few broken ribs.) My point is, call it lucky or not, it was the Ravens' kicker who lost this game not the Vikings winning it.

As I hung my head and stared at the bus floor I told myself that a win is a win and I should enjoy it. It's certainly cool that the Vikings are 6 and 0. I just hoped this season wouldn't end up like 2003. I came to the conclusion that the reason I was upset is because if the Vikings won by a solid 10 to 17 points then they're immediately in the elite NFL team conversation. A Super Bowl run would have been a valid talking point!

As it was, the Vikings barely overcame bad coaching and bad defense and scratched out a win. The Vikings will be viewed by the national media as more lucky than anything else and a fluke. I know I shouldn't worry about what the national media has to say, but, regardless of them, I wanted to see a complete game from this Vikings squad and it almost happened, but it didn't.

I suppose they'll get another shot next week against the Steelers to prove themselves as a true contender. That's right; I'm saying "there's always next week." Isn't that what the fans of the losing team should be saying? I have to keep reminding myself that the Vikings did win the game. They really did.....didn't they?