This is what the Wilfs envisioned when they spent all that money -- Bernard Berrian outrunning his old teammates to the end zone, and the sweat gleaming off Jared Allen's mullet on HD TVs across the land.
This is what Brad Childress envisioned when he bestowed the unfortunate nickname of "Kick-ass offense" on his beloved and besieged scheme -- Adrian Peterson running wild, commanding attention from safeties while receivers bolted behind them.
This is what the Triangle of Authority envisioned while sketching this team's blueprint -- a team that pounds the line of scrimmage and devours opposing quarterbacks.
This is what the Vikings craved all decade -- a dominating, consequential victory that seizes command of a division they've never won, the historic NFC North.
Lose this one, at home, against a mediocre team, and the dominos start wobbling. Childress would need a miracle month against a tough schedule to keep his job, the Wilfs would start punching names such as Schottenheimer and Cowher into their Blackberrys, Gus Frerotte would be defined by two unsightly losses to the Bears, and players would start booking their January golf vacations.
Instead, a franchise and a coach known for soul-draining losses actually won a big game in a big way.
Their 34-14 head-butting of the Bears on Sunday night at the Dome leaves the Vikings with no excuses. They should win this division, or find a new one. "It is big," said safety Darren Sharper, after the biggest victory he's experienced since joining the team in '05. "This is what we came here for, all the free-agent acquisitions that we've had, was to win games like this, when's it's about to be December."
Once upon a time, the Vikings were defined by Super Bowl failures. In the past 10 years, they have lost less important games in more creative ways.
