It will be the most surprising loss yet if the 1-3 Vikings don’t defeat 1-3 Dallas on Sunday at Mall of America Field in a game that’s been called the “Panic Bowl.”
Road losses to New Orleans and the Jets, two of the NFL’s better teams, weren’t surprising. The Vikings’ third loss of the season, against Miami, was unexpected to many observers.
But the loss to Miami came in the second game of the season, or something like pre-season for quarterback Brett Favre who reported late to training camp and found injured star wide receiver Sidney Rice out indefinitely. The Vikings’ offense has lacked consistent productivity in four games, including the team’s win over Detroit, but more practice and game time by Favre, and the addition last week of wide receiver Randy Moss to the roster, should have this unit living up to potential and scoring points on Sunday.
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was asked what’s on the line Sunday. “Just finally getting the ball rolling,” he said. “Even though it was a tough loss on Monday night (Jets), just coming out that second half and being productive offensively really gave us something to look at and compare. This is what the Minnesota offense is all about. We are just focusing on that this week with our preparation and just coming out Sunday and get the job done for four quarters.”
The Vikings are a better team than Dallas and aren’t carrying the burden of heat on the coaching staff where the Cowboys’ Wade Phillips sits on a warm seat. The Vikings beat the Cowboys at Mall of America Field in the playoffs last January and that memory should help their confidence. So, too, should the support of the Vikings’ crazies in the stands.
“We’re getting ready to face an NFC opponent at home,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. “We really need our crowd to be energetic and loud, even louder, maybe, than the NFC playoff game. That would be outstanding. Looking forward to it, should be a great game for our fans.”
Before the season the Vikings and Cowboys were supposed to be near the top of the NFC standings, not the bottom. ESPN sportscaster Mike Tirico has labeled Sunday’s game the “Panic Bowl.”
The team that loses on Sunday may have to forget about playoff dreams and face this reality: a remaining schedule of “Losers Bowls.”