A Good December

[cstelter]

I was thinking that 3-0 in december had to be one of the best in recent memory. Then I found that the first GB game was already in Dec, so we're only 3-1. I went back to see how we fared in Dec the past decade. To simplify things, I counted the last 5 games each year. Sometimes this included a Nov 30 game or Jan 1 game, but we'll call the last 5 games december for the sake of this comparison.

2012: 3-1
2011: 1-4
2010: 2-3
2009: 2-3 (1 or 2 more wins would have gotten us HFA)
2008: 4-1 (won division @10-6 and promptly lost to PHI in the playoffs)
2007: 3-2 (lost final 2 to miss playoffs)
2006: 1-4
2005: 3-2 (2 losses to PIT and BAL cost us the playoffs)
2004: 1-4 (still backed into the playoffs and beat GB before losing to PHI)
2003: 2-2 (Nooo. Nooo... The AZ Cardinals have knocked the MN Vikings out of the playoffis)
2002: 3-2
2001: 1-4
2000: 2-3 (only 3 games actually in Dec and all losses costing us HFA leading to 41-0)

So many times losses in the last 5 games have cost us the playoffs, or playoff positioning. I still recall how in 2004 we just had to beat GB at home in week 16 to clinch the North and lost by a FG before losing to AZ the following week.

So there are three ways this can play out

Scenario 1: We lose and miss the playoffs with 3-2 December record
Scenario 2: We lose and back into the playoffs because the dominos fall our way
Scenario 3: We win, take the playoffs for ourselves and tie our decade-best 4-1 December

If it weren't for 2008, I'd say Scenario 3 is just out of the question-- apart from that year, we've never done anything like that in recent history. The scars of 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009 have me thinking how can we help but land in Scenario 1 or possibly (thank you 2004) scenario 2.

I speculated about the 'ripping our hearts out' factor here, and still wonder what it will take for this season to tear my heart out. I really don't think any of the scenarios above will be able to. For me, we're well past the point we expected coming off a 3-13 season. Scenario 1 will be typical for this team and will not surprise me. I think a Scenario 3 and a win in the playoffs might bring me once again to the edge of the cliff, but in no real danger.

I think the only thing this season that would truly rip my heart out is if we progress to the SB, only to face the Texans again. We'll feel a repeat of last week would not be out of the question and have some actual expectations. *Then* they will have once again captured our hearts only to quash them. Therefore this is now the most likely scenario in my mind...

Seriously though-- I hope you all have a Merry Christmas as we wait for the 2012 ride to come to an end, however that may be. I have to admit I've enjoyed the ride a *whole* lot more than I expected to, and am looking forward to see how it plays out. I *really* want to see Scenario 3 play out regardless of how it may further scar me

[PurpleMustReign]

I can remember in 2000 had we beat GB at home we would have hav HFA, but we lost then too.
Hopefully there are different results this season!!

[Dark]

Based off of watching the Vikings my whole life, I think we lose next week and miss the playoffs in a complete let down.

[J. Kapp 11]

Don't let it scar you. Look at this for what it is ... incredible progress.

Look, losing in the playoffs sucks. We've all experienced it enough to know that firsthand.

But even the most eternal optimist wouldn't have predicted a 10-6 record out of this team back in August. And when we stood at 5-3 at the halfawy pole, after getting embarrassed by Tampa Bay at home, then looked ahead at our schedule the rest of the way, who would have predicted an idential 5-3 record for the second half?

We've already accomplished way more this year than anybody could have hoped. So enjoy our whipping of Green Bay next week, then go into the playoffs with the knowledge that we've already accomplished what most thought impossible.

[NDVikeFan]

Based off of watching the Vikings my whole life, I think we lose next week and miss the playoffs in a complete let down.

That's why I am going to enjoy this week. Noone thought this week would even mean anything a few months ago. Even if we lose this week it's still be an amazing year!

[Demi]

Based off of watching the Vikings my whole life, I think we lose next week and miss the playoffs in a complete let down.

With multiple interviews on the radio with Walsh. It dawned on me that it's time for a huge let down after the first reason for optimism in the last few years. So either AD will fumble the game away...or...god forbid...Walsh will have a 50+ yarder with a few seconds on the clock to win the game...and he'll miss his first 50 yarder of the season after setting the record.