Can't have anything nice.
Is that really true, or does it just seem that way when it comes to Minnesota sports?
On Saturday, the Gophers fought their way to a 2-0 start in the Big Ten for the first time in a decade, and they now have a legitimate chance to start conference play 4-0. They did it with clutch plays in the fourth quarter, keeping their record perfect under Jerry Kill when they lead at halftime. There are real reasons to think these Gophers can play with anyone in the Big Ten — that at least this defense, with this secondary and linebackers, can compete and keep games close.
Later on in the evening, the Wild finished off the second of two dominating wins over Colorado. The combined score was 8-0, and we have still yet to see a Wild line or defensive pairing on the ice that we don't trust or that doesn't bring something to the mix. It's very early, but it's possible this team — by virtue of adding a couple new pieces and improvement from within — could be even better than we thought.
So it was on to Sunday, and a great opportunity for the Vikings. Not only could they keep the positive Minnesota sports momentum going, but also it was possible they could climb right back into the divisional picture with a victory over Detroit and a Green Bay loss.
Instead, it was the nightmare you saw. The defense competed. For the most part, a few big plays aside this season, that group has not been the problem. But the offense? Well, let's see: 1) They play calling, again, was tepid and uninspired. 2) The offensive line play, again, was atrocious. 3) Teddy Bridgewater, so promising in his first start against Atlanta, was indecisive and inaccurate (even when he wasn't running for his life). 4) The wide receivers looked disengaged and ineffective. We could go on.
The point being, instead of showing they had a chance to be competitive in 2014, the Vikings showed just how far they have to go. And to make matters worse for Vikings fans, they finished just in time for FOX to switch games so we could watch Aaron Rodgers rally the Packers to a last-second victory.
Can't have anything nice? Not for very long, at least.
