Once upon a time, the Minnesota Vikings were pegged by NFL pundits for 8 to 10 wins in the 2022 NFL year. Rapidly forward to early November, and the franchise owns a 7-1 document, eying a house playoff video game in January — and possibly even a very first-spherical bye.
And to achieve a 1st-round siesta, the Vikings will have to complete one particular sport ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles, who presently have an 8- history, the NFC’s No. 1 seed, and a tiebreaker about the Vikings.
What does that mean? Effectively, the Vikings will have to hold winning while hoping the Eagles drop a match or two — or 3.
Insert the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
The Eagles must have cakewalks in the following two weeks versus the Washington Commanders and at the Indianapolis Colts. But then the Packers will summon the Eagles to Wisconsin the weekend soon after Thanksgiving. Philadelphia may experience a Environmentally friendly Bay crew like the contemporary, one particular which is missing 5 straight games. Or the Eagles could possibly come across a Packers squad hellbent on or amidst revitalization. Who is familiar with? Nearly anything is probable with Aaron Rodgers and pals.
In the meantime, the Vikings keep on their ostentatious win streak, totaling 5 consecutive triumphs following obtaining thrashed by the aforementioned Eagles in 7 days 2. If Kevin O’Connell’s club finds a way to conquer the Buffalo Expenses this weekend — Josh Allen may perhaps or might not engage in — and get a single or both of those of the Cowboys and Patriots matchups thereafter, then it is a full arms race with Philadelphia to the No. 1 seed.
It is not likely that the Eagles will shed to the Commanders or Colts, but the Packers, Titans, Giants (2 times), Cowboys, and Saints nevertheless lurk on Philadelphia’s docket. Accordingly, assuming the Vikings really don’t squander the following a few games, Vikings supporters would morph into Packers fanatics for a night time when Eco-friendly Bay hosts Philadelphia.
This initial-of-its-form [at least in a long while] “I won’t cheer for the Packers” sensation is rational. The Vikings have this sort of a chokehold on the NFC North that it doesn’t seriously matter if Eco-friendly Bay gains a recreation or two. This doesn’t normally transpire, not when Eco-friendly Bay features Hall-of-Fame quarterback participate in for a few straight many years. By trade, Vikings loyalists never cheer for the Packers, but it might just make sense on November 27th.
Normally, the trade-off for these too standoffish to cheer for Green Bay would be an endorsement of the Eagles to have homefield advantage all through the playoffs — and the Vikings to fall a recreation or two limited. Which is a lot more evil?
So, could you cheer for Matt LaFleur’s staff in that state of affairs? Meals for considered.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his each day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Product, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doorways (the band).