The word of the weekend: Resiliency.
The Twins have seemed to be at their best this season when their doubters have been at their most intense. They were doubted at the start of the year, then galloped to a double-digit lead in the division. They were doubted again when that lead evaporated, only to expand it again.
And they were definitely doubted a third time going into this last weekend, with their health making their lead going into a three-game series at Cleveland look precarious. Could the Twins squeeze out one win? That was the agreed-up (and perhaps hoped for) bare minimum outcome among fans.
So of course the Twins went out and won the series, proving once again their resiliency this season has been a match for any and all doubters.
That they did so without a single inning that counted from Jake Odorizzi or Jose Berrios — their top two available starters, both of whom were scheduled to pitch when the series began — was just a further testament to their internal belief system. I've constantly observed and been told that whatever panic has formed from the outside looking in, the Twins' clubhouse has remained a confident place.
I'm not sure how much credit to give the Vikings for mostly solving a problem Sunday that they created and coming back to at least put themselves in position to win against the Packers.
But if there is a compliment to be made about that excruciatingly frustrating 21-16 loss, it is that the Vikings were very resilient — a trait that should serve them well this year.
The St. Paul Saints, meanwhile, capped an extremely resilient postseason with a comeback victory Saturday to sweep Sioux City and claim the American Association championship.