America's Team

Over the past couple of years, national media has had a strong hatred towards Minnesota sports. I don't know why they hate Minnesota so much. I mean, what have we ever done to them? If you compare Minnesota to the major media markets, there aren't too many drawbacks to being in Minnesota except for the cold. I mean look at it...

Chicago - Arrogance, ignorance, and a persistent need to beat down unsuspecting first base coaches.

Los Angeles - Smog, and you have to deal with Kobe Bryant.

Dallas - They're so rude, they took our first hockey team.

Boston - You don't get sick of that accent huh?

New York - We don't scratch our balls like New Yorkers. We also have a sense of reality.

Anyways, when it comes to the national media, Minnesota hasn't gotten much pub. And the best part is, I don't really care. It's the old theory that some people don't like what you like. Well, yeah, but when the national media expects Minnesota to win, they fail horribly.

This is why this newfound love for the Minnesota Vikings is my worst nightmare. National commentators and everyone outside of Green Bay, Chicago, and New Orleans suddenly loves the Vikings.

The Vikings are the cool crowd right now. They have a cast of household names and lovable characters. They have the grizzled veteran going for one last championship (Brett Favre). They have a plethora of explosive talent with interesting personalities off the field (Percy Harvin, Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice). They have "Outlaws" (The Vikings Defensive Line). THere are other reasons too that I can't even remember right now.

Even the NFL schedule makers are joining the act. Out of the remaining six games, only one may be played at the scheduled noon kickoff. (NOTE: The Vikings/Panthers game is scheduled to be played on Sunday Night Football the week before Christmas, but should be moved because the Panthers aren't very good right now.) By the end of the year, the Vikings may have two games on Sunday Night Football (The Cardinals/Vikings game has already been moved, and the regular season finale between the Vikings and Giants is a prime candidate to be moved in Week 17.)

Bottom line is this, everyone is loving the Vikings right now, but I just hope that the wheels on the bandwagon fall off due to exceeding the weight limit, like it did in Denver. Could the Vikings actually not screw up and make it to the Super Bowl for the first time in the 1970's? I'm willing to admit that they have a shot, but will this go to their heads? We'll find out starting Sunday when the Vikings play a team that they're clearly better than, the Chicago Bears.