Pardon the Interruption on ESPN

[yezzir]

Were just talking about the 49ers and the Vikings being the top teams right now in the NFC.

Is the NFL the damndest thing you've ever seen or what? Unreal.

[Texas Vike]

Were just talking about the 49ers and the Vikings being the top teams right now in the NFC.

Is the NFL the damndest thing you've ever seen or what? Unreal.

The damndest thing I've ever seen is ESPN. What a worthless channel. All style, no substance and they just propose provocative takes to get attention.

The Vikes are playing solid, safe football, but they aren't one of the top teams in the NFC. Not yet.

[Mothman]

The damndest thing I've ever seen is ESPN. What a worthless channel. All style, no substance and they just propose provocative takes to get attention.

LOL! There's definitely a lot of tabloid sports "journalism" on ESPN.

The Vikes are playing solid, safe football, but they aren't one of the top teams in the NFC. Not yet.

I agree, although technically, they are #2 in the conference standings at the moment, behind Atlanta. Despite the Vikes win over SF, I wouldn't want to see a rematch of that game right now. The 49ers have absolutely demolished their last two opponents. The Vikes may have awakened an angry beast by defeating them.

Anyway, I'd rank SF and Atlanta ahead of the Vikes right now in the NFC and I might put the Bears ahead of them too, mainly because their defense has been playing superbly and their offense is more explosive, if less consistent. I think the 49ers are clearly the best team in the conference right now.

It's a long season. It will be interesting to see how it plays out and who will look best going into the playoffs.

[yezzir]

The damndest thing I've ever seen is ESPN. What a worthless channel. All style, no substance and they just propose provocative takes to get attention.

The Vikes are playing solid, safe football, but they aren't one of the top teams in the NFC. Not yet.

I was hoping we had all realized ESPN were talking heads by now.

My point is, one month ago, no rational person would have considered the Vikings as a top NFC team, yet, we are now considered as such, locally AND nationally. This is one of the biggest reasons why the NFL is the most popular sport in America.

[J. Kapp 11]

Peter King ranked them at 5 in his Fine Fifteen this week.

This is kinda crazy. I'm happy, but I wish we'd keep flying under the radar.

[mondry]

Peter King ranked them at 5 in his Fine Fifteen this week.

This is kinda crazy. I'm happy, but I wish we'd keep flying under the radar.

They are playing far too well for that to happen and with HUGE performances like the couple Harvins had and the big hits in the secondary, someone was bound to take notice.

The fact that we soundly beat the 49ers and they've gone on to destroy their next 2 opponents probably isn't helping either.

[Cliff]

I find it kind of funny that media sources are more willing to rate the Vikings high than the fan base. We've been burned too many times!

[dead_poet]

I find it kind of funny that media sources are more willing to rate the Vikings high than the fan base. We've been burned too many times!

You got that right. I've upped my prediction from 5 to 8 wins, though. Progress. I'm seeing a solid amount from almost everyone (the mysterious Simpson injury has me concerned). Although I can't help but shake this stupid feeling that they aren't going anywhere and every win is a worse draft pick. I don't know where this mentality came from. I'm still rooting as hard as humanly possible every weekend. I can't explain it. I hate it, though. Still waiting for them to come crashing back down to Earth and for ESPN "experts" to say "Yep, those wins were anomalies. This is who they are. A mediocre team showing progress. Nowhere near contention." And for that reason alone I hope they continue to stay focused, stay healthy and keep their foot on the gas.

[Texas Vike]

I find it kind of funny that media sources are more willing to rate the Vikings high than the fan base. We've been burned too many times!

That's definitely part of it. Cautiously optimistic is the way to go for anyone who has been cheering for this team for a while. Been through 09, 98, all those promising teams in the 80s? The SB losses? well... this just seems like a chimera. The Vikings are good training for a Stoic.

The other part is that I don't put any stock in what the national media says. I agree with Mothman. I'd hate to play the 49ers again. I think they'd tear us up. I think the Bears right now would as well. The Falcons too. We're playing beyond expectations, but the true test is yet to come.

[jackal]

Too me we have improved twice as much as I thought we could in a year.

To me what matter is the next year or two.. I have seen the Vikings lose in the NFC championship
twice now. 1998 and 2009. I can't even imagine the 70's era fans they watch four super bowls losses.


Honestly the only thing I would consider a true accomplishment is a championship, at this point.

Anything else is like kissing your cousin at this point.

[VikeMike]

... I know everyone wants to forget the 41-0 debacle against the Giants (I sure would like to) but that was the NFC Championship Game, too. So you've seen the Vikes lose in three, Jackal.

Although its nice to hear ESPN, SI and all the other outlets talk of how surprising the Vikings have been -- and let's face it, they are surprising us, the fans, the most -- but we all know it's a long season and we have no idea how it will play out. Coming into the season with low expectations, I'm just enjoying Peterson's remarkable comeback, Harvin's play, Ponder's development, OL's turnaround and the defense's emergence. Whether they skid backwards in the second half of the season, I'll try to evaluate it in its entirety once it's over. I'm not really waiting for the shoe to drop; I'm just determined to take this year as it comes.

[jackal]

Don't get me wrong making the play offs would be great, especially if Green Bay misses
it. Long term though I really want a championship as my ultimate goal.

wild care is usually 9-10 wins and i think we can get that. I think the bears
win the division this year.

[Texas Vike]

... I know everyone wants to forget the 41-0 debacle against the Giants (I sure would like to) but that was the NFC Championship Game, too. So you've seen the Vikes lose in three, Jackal.

Although its nice to hear ESPN, SI and all the other outlets talk of how surprising the Vikings have been -- and let's face it, they are surprising us, the fans, the most -- but we all know it's a long season and we have no idea how it will play out. Coming into the season with low expectations, I'm just enjoying Peterson's remarkable comeback, Harvin's play, Ponder's development, OL's turnaround and the defense's emergence. Whether they skid backwards in the second half of the season, I'll try to evaluate it in its entirety once it's over. I'm not really waiting for the shoe to drop; I'm just determined to take this year as it comes.

Solid take!

[hibbingviking]

vikings do everything okay. they arent that good. the cornerbacks, and wr's still worry me.

[losperros]

Falcons are better than both.

I agree. I think the Vikings are better than average, which means they're a heck of a lot better than last season.

Calling the Vikings one of the top teams in the NFC right now is irresponsible reporting by ESPN.