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Fan enjoyment of the 13-3 Vikings has been tempered by haunting memories of 1998.Vikings fans of a certain generation are haunted by the organization’s four Super Bowl losses. In person, on e-mails, via online comments on stories about the team, they preface comments by saying, “I’m old enough to remember …”
A lot of Vikings fans, though — perhaps even the majority? — are not old enough to remember. Tuesday marked the 41-year anniversary of the last time the Vikings even played in a Super Bowl, a 32-14 loss to the Raiders that was the Vikings’ third Super Bowl loss in four seasons and the fourth in eight years.
For more recent generations of fans, the pain is focused more acutely on memories of great Vikings teams that had a Super Bowl appearance within its grasp, only to have it cruelly snatched away.
The best of those teams was the 1998 Vikings, a juggernaut that went 15-1 and set a record (at the time) for points in a season. That team’s overtime loss in the NFC Championship Game to Atlanta left a mark that remains today.
It’s a significant part of the reason Vikings fans haven’t been able to simply enjoy this year’s 13-3 team or fully allow themselves to believe a Super Bowl appearance at the Vikings’ home of U.S. Bank Stadium is within reach. This year’s Vikings finished with the best record since 1998 — the only other season in franchise history with at least 13 victories.
Coach Mike Zimmer emphatically said last week that the Vikings do not have a “curse,” but plenty of Minnesotans still are wondering: Is it OK to watch with both eyes open when the Vikings open the playoffs Sunday against New Orleans, and is this finally the year that doesn’t end in heartbreak? To deconstruct that question and search for answers, let’s travel back in time almost two decades...
http://www.startribune.com/juggernaut-fo...468708293/
Vikings owner Mark Wilf said he has heard from excited fans, but he also is well aware of the history.
“Listen, it’s a tough business to win,” Wilf said. “But we think with the coaching staff and the team we’ve put together, we’re looking forward to continuing this march.”
Billick said the collective emotions of the Vikings fan base are something players and coaches will need to be aware of as the playoffs approach.
“You can’t live there and not have that sense. The pressure and emotion of having the chance to win the Super Bowl will be strong,” Billick said. “I would be conscious of that for my players so they don’t get emotionally worn out.”
That said, Billick said he “loves” this year’s Vikings team and “likes their chances” of reaching the Super Bowl. He praised their balance on offense and defense, noting the Vikings can win in a variety of different ways.
Billick said this year’s Steelers remind him the most of the 1998 Vikings, given all their offensive talent. But as we all know, it’s not always the most explosive team that wins.
This year’s Vikings don’t really resemble that 1998 squad, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be comparisons. It’s mentioned to Randle that talk of the 1998 team will only intensify given the success of this year’s team, the potential to play Atlanta again in the NFC Championship Game and the fact that the Super Bowl is here. Is that OK with him?
“I’m never OK with that because still, for me, 1998 was one of the hardest seasons ever,” Randle said. “But you know what, this is 2017 and I believe and hope this is going to be the year that suddenly we make history.”
Look, 98 and 09 left some big gaping wounds. Especially 98 and for me 77 too. But you eventually have to move on. What a wasted moment in time if those losses don't allow you to enjoy 13/3 season.
Anyways, here's to hope (insert clink glass emoji here).
Jesus, the sad sack Twin Cities media. Seriously. They can't and won't let go of this old baggage. Its a self fulfilling prophecy if you can't move past this and treat each new opportunity as unrelated to the past.
We all have the scars as fans, but if you can't enjoy the ride, then why bother being a fan at all? Just tune in each year to the Superbowl in early February and bypass the rest. A bunch of woe-is-me Eeyores. :/
![[Image: Eeyore_3.jpg]](https://ohmy.disney.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Eeyore_3.jpg)
Maybe I dont have the perspective I need to living here. I think of it this way, it's a question of do you believe what the reporter is saying is representative of the fan-base or not?
Or is it just headlines for clicks?
In this case, I think Rand is taping into the psyche of a lot of fans and especially the 98'ers who became lifelong fans that season.
Hell, even on this board you can feel it and read it...Is it beyond normal playoff time jitters? For some, for alot I would argue, but certainly not all of Viking nation.
Anyways, I think there's a lot of truth to what Rand is saying. They eyore imo is representative of some fans, more than the reporter.
There won't be any eyores in the stands @ USB, thats for sure.
Quote: @purplefaithful said:
Look, 98 and 09 left some big gaping wounds. Especially 98 and for me 77 too. But you eventually have to move on. What a wasted moment in time if those losses don't allow you to enjoy 13/3 season.
Anyways, here's to hope (insert clink glass emoji here).
Lets not forget getting "Walshed" in '15 either. That one stung like a MFer too.
I'm enjoying this season, but I do admit my excitment of how far this team goes is tempered because of all the past failures. I used to ride high on my emotions when the team looked like SB Champs going into the playoffs, but because of those gut wrenching losses, I admit I'm way more cautious with my expectations.
I cheer and am proud of this team, and 13-3 is obviously incredibly special, but I'm not ready to think this team is unstoppable. We need to get past this red hot Saints team first and foremost.
Can the SB win happen? Sure, I believe it can. Will it happen? I'll only believe it when I see it. B)
I'M ALL IN. I think we could have made a run in 2015, but weak-minded Walsh screwed it up.
I don't see any weak minded guys on this team. It's filled with guys that have GIGANTIC chips on their shoulders. This team wants to prove something... and Zimmer has the biggest chip of them all.
This is our time. We deserve it, the players will earn it, and we will be VICTORIOUS.
BOOM
Man I wish I only had the disappointment of 98 to be haunted by....
Enjoy the season.... or why bother.
13-3... Packers? Swept. Bears? Swept. Lions? 1-1 Dammit that needs to be fixed.
Sunday.... Loud and Proud. Down goes the taints.
Quote: @StickyBun said:
Its a self fulfilling prophecy if you can't move past this and treat each new opportunity as unrelated to the past.
It can be a self-fulfilling prophecy if we're not careful. Not to get all cosmic on ya'll, but if at the first sign of trouble, players and fans start envisioning defeat, the universe is going to realign itself and force it to fruition. Not that I believe in any of that horseshit, but hey, let's not take any chances.
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