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The Vikings are in Arizona today, and they can secure their first NFC North title since 2000 with a victory over the lowly Cardinals.
But the prevailing question in Viking nation is this: Which team is going to
show up?
The Vikings that beat Green Bay at Lambeau Field in the season opener and handled the playoff-contending Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs at the Metrodome, or the Vikings that were embarrassed in San Diego and Oakland?
Such divergent performances have given the impression that the Vikings are a
team with a split personality. Excluding division opponents, the Vikings victories
came against opponents whose combined record is an impressive 42-33. Their non-division
losses, however, have come against teams with a combined record of 23-37.
Of the Vikings 15 games this season, their best three came against the 12-3
Chiefs, the 10-5 Broncos, and the 9-6 Seahawks, in that order. The Vikings stifled
Shaun Alexander and Priest Holmes, and their defense overwhelmed a stout Broncos
offensive line, racking up five sacks. In addition, the Vikings offense committed
just one turnover, an interception.
But those impressive wins were tempered by regrettable losses to inferior opponents.
Other than a 48-17 drubbing in St. Louis, the Vikings' three worst performances
of the year came against teams with a combined 11-34 record. In those games,
the Vikings offense was undone by 10 turnovers, and their defense gave up 485
rushing yards.
It's easy to dismiss the 3-12 Cardinals. But today's game is eerily similar
to the Vikings situation heading into San Diego and Oakland. The Vikings proved
themselves a mighty playoff opponent with the drubbing of the Seahawks and Chiefs.
But they might not get a chance to showcase themselves if they can't beat second-rate
foes.
Players and coaches often say that any NFL club can beat another, on "any
given Sunday." But championship teams, the legitimate contenders, don't
lose those meaningful games, regardless of their opponent.
Vikings owner Red McCombs will try to gauge how his coaching staff prepares
and calls today's game. And the coaching staff will closely watch how players
handle themselves in the days leading up to this critical game. Who makes the
mental mistakes in practice? Who blows a key tackle in the game? Who drops a
wide-open pass.
Ultimately, the Vikings players and coaches could be defined by this game. Two
dropped passes could tarnish receiver Randy Moss' otherwise brilliant season.
A clock-management gaffe could dent head coach Mike Tice's apparent success
at improving this team. And a blown open-field tackle could diminish a breakout
season for Pro Bowl strong safety Corey Chavous.
Fair or unfair, that's the nature of professional sports.
Bill Buckner is remembered for allowing a routine groundball to trickle between
his legs in the 1986 World Series, not for an otherwise distinguished career.
Craig Ehlo will be remembered as Michael Jordan's whipping boy, not a solid
NBA player. And former Buffalo head coach Marv Levy will be remembered for losing
four Super Bowls, not for leading the Bills to four AFC titles.
The Vikings have much to be proud of this season: an excellent rookie class,
salary cap health, a better record than last season and an improving defense.
But the question remains: "Which Vikings team will show up today?"