After a very bad loss in which they could have had the North Division lead all to themselves, the Vikings are looking for answers after losing to the Bears by ten at Soldier Field. How about this one? The Vikings suck whenever they have to play outdoors.

The Vikings have not won an outside road game in December since 1999. I'll just let that stat sink in for a bit.

Now this little known gem. Mike Tice decided last week to not practice outside because it was snowing. We got a dusting that particular day. Not even enough snow to be measurable. Yet, a team that was once proud of playing in the elements took practice inside. A team that once banned heaters on the sidelines when it played at Met Stadium took practice inside. If I were dead I would have rolled in my grave.

The Vikings are a league worst 3-22 in their last 25 outdoor road games. The three wins were Green Bay on opening day last year, Houston this year, and Dallas on Thanksgiving in 2000. Yes, that's right, 2000. There were no outdoor road wins in 2001 or 2002. None. Nada. Zip. Here are the outdoor scores since 2001:

2001

Opponent Score

Baltimore L, 19-3

2002

Opponent Score

Chicago L, 27-23

Seattle L, 48-23

N.Y. Jets L, 20-7

Tampa Bay L, 38-24

New England L, 24-17

Green Bay L, 26-22

2003

Opponent Score

Green Bay W, 30-25

San Diego L, 42-28

Oakland L, 28-18

Chicago L, 13-10

Arizona L, 18-17

2004

Opponent Score

Philadelphia L, 27-16

* Houston W, 34-28

Green Bay L, 34-31

Chicago L, 24-14

* Overtime; Reliant Stadium roof was open.

And then there are those of you who think the Vikes would have a chance at Philadelphia in January. If you still think that, go back to the beginning of this column and start reading again.

But then, there was a bright spot yesterday. My fantasy quarterback in the Beer Brotherhood Fantasy League was one Donovan McNabb. Five passing TDs in the first half alone. A team record 464 yards passing. I think that qualifies as being taken out behind the wood-shed for a beating.

Packers quarterback Brett Favre had one of the worst outings of his career on Sunday at Philly. Also enjoyable to watch. But if the game had been televised by ESPN or ABC, the announcing crew still would have spent the whole time talking about what a great guy he is and how great it is that he's still trying his best to bring his team back and isn't it great to see a guy like Brett Favre still playing great and isn't he such a great guy to be the great Brett Favre and greatness is Brett Favre and if you're still reading this you haven't quite gotten the joke yet, have you?

What I want to know from you is which loss was more humiliating as a fan of the respective team. The Vikings getting beat by a team that had been beaten in its previous two games by a combined score of 62-17? Or the Packers who knew by winning they would have first place in the North all to themselves but were whipped by the Eagles 47-17 in a game that wasn't even that close? Tough call.

Let's hope that the Vikes can bounce back this week and that Antoine Winfield will not be out long due to a sprained left ankle.

Posted by maasx003 at December 6, 2004 09:49 AM | TrackBack