Where the Vikings are at this point

I like it Chuck!

I've been a fan since the 70's, so I got my fair share of fan battle scars and years of therapy. 

But I am hopeful with the new regime too! 

I'm taking this one game at a time.  So many ups and downs in a season that I've learned just to try to enjoy the ride when the Vikes win.  I don't think this is an "elite" team right now (Philly proved that), but I'm enjoying that they've earned their record of 3-1.  I think they're an above average team that's finding ways to win close games; which is fun and refreshing.  If the team can continue to improve (as one would expect), I agree with the OP this could be an exciting November and December for us Viking fans.
SKOL!

I think Oconell has the offense headed in the right direction. I think it will prove invaluable to have the same offensive scheme and playcaller going forward. 

I have major concerns on defense. I dont think we have the players to get it done this year. 

On special teams. Get this guy a cape. This is the best special teams we’ve had in years. 

I'm not complaining but I'm not drinking purple koolaid either.  KOC is having what I think of as some rookie HC luck.  Or at least better than say, Paul Hackett lol.   

@"Chuckf" said: 3-1?  I think ANY of us fans would have gladly taken this record going into October a month ago right?  We can all be a little jaded on HOW the Vikings got to 3-1.  Being a dedicated fan since the 1973 season it is easy to get jaded and always think of the cup being half empty.   I have seen MANY times the Vikings rip up the league only to flounder in the end in embarrassing chokes or complete meltdowns(push out in AZ(Vikings led the division from the first game all the way to the last play of the season to go from 10-6 division winners and home Wildcard game to not making the playoffs),  the NFC Title Games in 2017, 2009, 1998, 1987).  At this point after watching a lot of games yesterday and last night I don't see ANY team in the NFC the Vikings cannot compete with.  With all new offensive and defensive schemes and a few new starters the fact the Vikings ARE 3-1 with some of the mistakes being made perhaps we should see the cup as half full?   The issues the Vikings have can be cleaned up.  It is definitely NOT a lack of talent although they are very thin at CB for sure.   If they can get through the next 4 games and be sitting at 6-2 they could be poised to make a big run.   

I tend to agree with you on this more than others. I think the Vikings are a very talented team who is underachieving. Not elite, but just under. Throw in some better head coaching, some really good special teams and a whole lotta luck and we find ourselves at 3-1. We could so easily be 1-3. 

That luck won't last, but hopefully neither will the underachieving. 

The Vikings are #2 in fewest team penalties.

and +1 in turnovers.

Translation- This team isn't beating themselves.

Until the Vikings offense beats the blitz they'll continue to lose to it. 

Agreed. It has to be a 'half glass full' scenario right now in this moment in time until/if we learn otherwise. We all know the concerns, the problem areas and that there's a lot of football games yet to be played. But we all expected there to be growing pains with new systems on both sides of the ball, and there are, so lets not act surprised. The surprising thing is the 3-1 record though it. Might have to give the new staff kudos for some strong situational football. I'm enjoying it game to game.

In the past the Vikings have fell prey to teams they are supposed to beat in a trap game. I just want to break that curse and beat the Bears this week. There aren't many blow outs in the NFL. No reason they shouldn't win handily. But if they pee down their leg and lose, there will be gnashing of teeth and an avalanche of negative posts next week. Same old Vikings, etc..

@"StickyBun" said: Agreed. It has to be a 'half glass full' scenario right now in this moment in time until/if we learn otherwise. We all know the concerns, the problem areas and that there's a lot of football games yet to be played. But we all expected there to be growing pains with new systems on both sides of the ball, and there are, so lets not act surprised. The surprising thing is the 3-1 record though it. Might have to give the new staff kudos for some strong situational football. I'm enjoying it game to game.

This...

I will add that I would like to see some progress from game to game and even in victory vs Saints I didn't see any improvements from the victory vs Lions.  That said, progress is not linear week to week.  

@"jargomcfargo" said: In the past the Vikings have fell prey to teams they are supposed to beat in a trap game. I just want to break that curse and beat the Bears this week. There aren't many blow outs in the NFL. No reason they shouldn't win handily. But if they pee down their leg and lose, there will be gnashing of teeth and an avalanche of negative posts next week. Same old Vikings, etc..

Maybe the fans are setting the bar a little too high for the Vikings...Reality is having new coaches, new systems, new players and the unknown...I don't except much this season and thrilled they are 3-1 at this point.  But I just don't see this happening throughout the long season.  My expectations are there but not at ceiling level.  Kinda off-sets the disappointments that surely to come.

Where are they?  3-1 and 2-0 in the division sitting in first place with a very winnable home game this weekend that would have them at 4-1/3-0.  That's the good news and what matters the most.  The pessimistic view is that the defense has had one good game and has plenty of work to do -- can't stop the run; lack of pressure; close to the highest completion %-age against in the league.  On offense, still not in synch and inconsistent.  OL better but not cohesive yet -- you can see they are struggling to pick up blitzes and stunts, and the running game is not where it should/needs to be.  The optimistic view is all about newness and potential.  This is a new coaching team and new systems on both offense and defense.  One should certainly expect some growing pains early and improvement as the year progresses.

@"purplefaithful" said: I like it Chuck!

I've been a fan since the 70's, so I got my fair share of fan battle scars and years of therapy. 

But I am hopeful with the new regime too! 

Yeah for some reason those years from 1973-1977 were VERY TRAUMATIC for a young kid.  Everyone at school was either a Vikings, Raiders, Dolphins, Cowboys, Rams, or Steelers fan.  I grew up in central Iowa and not very many Chiefs, Bears, or Packer fans but back then I can reason why.   Coming back to school after every season ending loss was miserable.  Dolphins, Steelers, Cowboys Hail Mary, Raiders, then Cowboys again.  Man they NEVER let us Viking fans live it down.  Scarred me for life.  I just wanted ONE TIME to give those guys the finger after the Vikings won a Super Bowl and if they do this year I will seek them out and give them the business.