It doesn't seem like it, but the calendar says it's been eight years since the San Diego Chargers' last trip to Minnesota. So that means the Bolts are due back.
TCF Bank Stadium will host Sunday's game. San Diego's run defense will be pleased to learn that the Metrodome has been leveled.
The last time these two met in Minny, Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie ended the first half with an NFL-record 109-yard touchdown return of a missed field goal and Vikings rookie running back Adrian Peterson ended the game with an NFL-record 296 yards rushing.
Only three Vikings and five Chargers are left from that 35-17 Vikings win at the Metrodome. The only Vikings offensive player is Peterson. The only Chargers defender is safety Eric Weddle.
Both teams are 1-1 this season with home wins over the Lions. The Chargers rallied from a 21-3 deficit to beat Detroit 33-28 in Week 1. The Vikings bounced back from a 20-3 loss at San Francisco to beat the Lions 26-16 last Sunday. The Chargers are on the road for the second straight week after losing in Cincinnati last Sunday.
For a closer look at the Chargers, we turned this week to San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Nick Canepa. Nick started at the paper in 1974 and has been a columnist since 1984. He also is San Diego's representative on the Pro Football Hall of Fame's board of selectors.
MC: Philip Rivers broke Dan Fouts' franchise record for passing touchdowns on Sunday. Wednesday, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer called Rivers one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. How is Rivers playing now compared to when Norv Turner was the head coach, is this guy a Hall of Famer and how do you think Rivers will be remembered by Chargers fans?
NC: "I believe Rivers is better than Fouts. Their playoff records are similar. Rivers is far more accurate, throwing about half the picks Fouts threw. Fouts threw FIVE interceptions in two separate playoff games. I think Rivers now is better than when Turner coached him. Turner calls plays and didn't give Rivers much room to improvise. Mike McCoy often has gone to the no-huddle and allowed Rivers, as smart as any NFL quarterback, to call plays and audiblize. He has much more freedom now. By the time he's finished, he will be remembered as the Chargers greatest quarterback. Fouts is an icon and rules were different then. But he also had Hall of Fame receivers Kellen Winslow and Charlie Joiner and there are WRs in the Hall of Fame not as good as Wes Chandler. Fouts also played behind a great offensive line and in a Don Coryell system miles ahead of any other offense at the time. Plus, Chuck Muncie and James Brooks at tailback. Rivers has skill around him. But only Antonio Gates, who isn't playing [four-game suspension], is a legit Hall of Famer."
