For the Vikings to reach the Super Bowl ...
Don't laugh. Once upon a time, the Vikings went to four of the first 11 Super Bowls. But it has been 40 years since they fell to 0-4. For the Vikings to reach the Super Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium this season, the overhauled offensive line has to control games. The defense is good enough to win the NFC. It's up to the offensive line to give Sam Bradford the protection and running game needs to score more points.
A bad baker's dozen
It's good to reach the Super Bowl. But this is not the list you want to be on if you have reached the Super Bowl. Thirteen current NFL franchises have not won a Super Bowl. They are: Vikings and Bills (0-4); Eagles, Bengals, Falcons and Panthers (0-2); Chargers, Titans and Cardinals (0-1); and Texans, Jaguars, Lions and Browns (0-0). Only one current NFL city has neither played in nor hosted a Super Bowl. Yep, you guessed it. Cleveland.
Did you know?
According to Forbes Magazine, Americans will eat 1.33 billion chicken wings Super Bowl Sunday. Of course, that was last year's estimate, so loosen the belts Feb. 4, America. We got a record to break! … Hall of Famer Bob Griese won Super Bowl VIII by completing six passes against the Vikings. Miami ran for 196 yards in the 24-7 win.
Trivia time: Remembering Percy
You remember Percy Howard, right? No? Well, Percy was a Dallas Cowboys rookie from Austin Peay in 1975. He played nine career games. His only catch was a 34-yard touchdown from Hall of Famer Roger Staubach in Super Bowl X.
DESTINATION MINNEAPOLIS!
Week 1 Forecast
Pittsburgh (0-0) vs. Seattle (0-0)
Now that we've all buried the winless Patriots, let's move on. (R.I.P., Tom & Bill.) Just kidding, Patriots Nation. We know they've risen before (See: 2014, Chiefs 41, Patriots 14). But for Week 1's Destination Minneapolis forecast, let's go with my original preseason prediction: Steelers over Seahawks.
Why Pittsburgh? The most explosive offense in football isn't just a band of superstars. This offensive line has been nurtured back into a forceful unit.
Why Seattle? The O-line is weak, but Russell Wilson has rare ability that compensates. Defensively, an elite group is even better with Sheldon Richardson.
MARK CRAIG
