This year I am getting a different attitude.

I am still hesitant.  I have still can't get over the burned feeling from last years 5-0 start and previous other seasons of disappointment.

@"ThunderGod" said: I am still hesitant.  I have still can't get over the burned feeling from last years 5-0 start and previous other seasons of disappointment.

I hear ya but if we beat the lions I don't think we lose another game.

@"ThunderGod" said: I am still hesitant.  I have still can't get over the burned feeling from last years 5-0 start and previous other seasons of disappointment.

I hear ya too,  but I've taken a cautious approach since 2009.  Last years 5-0 I remember coming out of US Bank and a certain member sounds like Skow vikes 44 mentioned about a superbowl.  I was quick to chastise.  gotta take it one game at a time.  While that's the best approach it's nice to think what if.  and this year I've been operating on No team has ever won a superbowl in their home stadium.  So it's obvious it's not going to happen, prove me wrong vikings I dare ya.  Win on Thursday and take 10 days rest.  They control their own destiny for the Division crown, and for a first round bye.   The Defense has not scored yet this season, they have at least three TD's the past three seasons and 4 twice.  They average 25 takeaways a year and right now they are sitting at 10 for the year.  While that's not a given, it's something that I think we are about to see change.  And one thing that I think is underestimated is the growing confidence of the players on this team especially the younger guys.  But first things first beat the friggin Lions  PLEASE!

@"PapaScott" said:

@"ThunderGod" said: I am still hesitant.  I have still can't get over the burned feeling from last years 5-0 start and previous other seasons of disappointment.

I hear ya too,  but I've taken a cautious approach since 2009.  Last years 5-0 I remember coming out of US Bank and a certain member sounds like Skow vikes 44 mentioned about a superbowl.  I was quick to chastise.  gotta take it one game at a time.  While that's the best approach it's nice to think what if.  and this year I've been operating on No team has ever won a superbowl in their home stadium.  So it's obvious it's not going to happen, prove me wrong vikings I dare ya.  Win on Thursday and take 10 days rest.  They control their own destiny for the Division crown, and for a first round bye.   The Defense has not scored yet this season, they have at least three TD's the past three seasons and 4 twice.  They average 25 takeaways a year and right now they are sitting at 10 for the year.  While that's not a given, it's something that I think we are about to see change.  And one thing that I think is underestimated is the growing confidence of the players on this team especially the younger guys.  But first things first beat the friggin Lions  PLEASE!

@"SkolVikings44" said:

@"PapaScott" said:

@"ThunderGod" said: I am still hesitant.  I have still can't get over the burned feeling from last years 5-0 start and previous other seasons of disappointment.

I hear ya too,  but I've taken a cautious approach since 2009.  Last years 5-0 I remember coming out of US Bank and a certain member sounds like Skow vikes 44 mentioned about a superbowl.  I was quick to chastise.  gotta take it one game at a time.  While that's the best approach it's nice to think what if.  and this year I've been operating on No team has ever won a superbowl in their home stadium.  So it's obvious it's not going to happen, prove me wrong vikings I dare ya.  Win on Thursday and take 10 days rest.  They control their own destiny for the Division crown, and for a first round bye.   The Defense has not scored yet this season, they have at least three TD's the past three seasons and 4 twice.  They average 25 takeaways a year and right now they are sitting at 10 for the year.  While that's not a given, it's something that I think we are about to see change.  And one thing that I think is underestimated is the growing confidence of the players on this team especially the younger guys.  But first things first beat the friggin Lions  PLEASE!

I remember (slightly) after that game a proud fan high fiving everyone as they returned to the lot and repeatedly saying, "Five and Oh, Let's Go!"

I do often think of that and how quickly it went down. I am seriously cautious right now. It's hard to go all in when it hurts so bad if the other shoe drops.

@"PSBLAKE" said: After the Rams game this team seems to have a different attitude and as a fan I think I am changing my attitude as well.

Before the Rams game I was looking at the schedule, as I do every year, and our division and conference rivals, and just hoping and praying that the Eagles lose or the Saints choke or the Lions get beat, so we can sneak into the playoffs just in case we have a meltdown.

I am really beginning to believe in this team and that this coaching staff and players can beat anyone.  The Vikings need to take this division because they are the best and beat the Lions not because the Lions choked but the Vikes are dominant.  The Vikings are going to play their way into a a first round buy not because the other teams lose but because the Vikings are going to beat the teams they need to beat to take that first round buy and get a home game.

I am really relaxed about the rest of the season the Vikings will finish at least 12-4 and get that first round buy and home game!

That's the beauty of the Viking's curse.....'C'mon on in, hardcore fan.....seriously, its fine!....the water is so warm....take a swim!....get your suit on!....drinks poolside!....Yeeehaww!....' Then you jump in the deep end off the diving board and the water is freezing. But you can't have a fun season unless you drink a little Kool Aid.

i predicted 12-4 to 10-6 at the worst for this year,  but even I am having a hard time buying in until we play these next 3 games.   If we can go 3-0 or even    2-1 and make it a good game.... I will likely be gulping the koolaid once again.   I watch the Eagles and I see a real deal team,  I see the Panthers and Falcons and I see a team that on a good day is just as dangerous.(the seahawks and saints are still legit threats as well)    I want to believe that we are every bit the team the the Eagles Panthers and Falcons are,  but I see the little flaws in our team more as I am more familiar.. and the whole 40 years of heartbreak thing.

I agree that you have to drink the Kool Aid because if you don't, what is the fun.  I have learned to be a little more guarded though so I am ready when the roller coaster takes that plunge down. 
It is a little like going into this year.  I knew that every year something happens.  It just does.  It is usually an unexpected injury and sure enough Cook was knocked out.  Then it was Sam.  The difference this year (which is amazing) however is that not only has the next man stepped up but in some cases, the next man up has done a better job of filling in.  Case in point (pun intended).
I am however much more guarded as the years go by and don't buy into the hype in the early part of the season which sells tickets.
Now, as far as facts go, we need to take care of the Lions.  I saw this coming when the Lions played the Packers.  Emotions aside, a Lions loss would have been much better for the Vikings.  Let other teams beat up the Packers this year.
Second, home field advantage is and will be the main focus after addressing the Lions.  It plays a huge part in getting to the NFC title game.  I was watching the Skins and Saints game Sunday and hated to see the Saints come back and win.  It would have been a fantastic Sunday if the Bears could have eked out a win against the Lions, the Skins would have taken care of the Saints, and we beat the Rams.
Oh well, one game at a time as we try to get back to the SB again.  Keep the faith.
PS: There is something different about the team this year.   The team is a sum of all the parts.  It is not a couple stars carrying the team forward.  It is a lot of regular, everyday, hard working Joes all doing their part.  Not that we don't have talent.
  Strange year and I like this team because of it.  Someone mentioned that it was because of our very good depth.  What ever it is, it is good.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"PSBLAKE" said: After the Rams game this team seems to have a different attitude and as a fan I think I am changing my attitude as well.

Before the Rams game I was looking at the schedule, as I do every year, and our division and conference rivals, and just hoping and praying that the Eagles lose or the Saints choke or the Lions get beat, so we can sneak into the playoffs just in case we have a meltdown.

I am really beginning to believe in this team and that this coaching staff and players can beat anyone.  The Vikings need to take this division because they are the best and beat the Lions not because the Lions choked but the Vikes are dominant.  The Vikings are going to play their way into a a first round buy not because the other teams lose but because the Vikings are going to beat the teams they need to beat to take that first round buy and get a home game.

I am really relaxed about the rest of the season the Vikings will finish at least 12-4 and get that first round buy and home game!

That's the beauty of the Viking's curse.....'C'mon on in, hardcore fan.....seriously, its fine!....the water is so warm....take a swim!....get your suit on!....drinks poolside!....Yeeehaww!....' Then you jump in the deep end off the diving board and the water is freezing. But you can't have a fun season unless you drink a little Kool Aid.

Jesus people it's just football! And I have spent thousands on this team this year. Hahaha I know we really do bleed purple and gold but man we are a dramatic fanbase!

@"Mike Olson" said: Jesus people it's just football! And I have spent thousands on this team this year. Hahaha I know we really do bleed purple and gold but man we are a dramatic fanbase!

dont pretend that you didnt feel the kick in the nuts in 09 or 98 or any other time the team has given us great hope only to have it crush our football souls in the end.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Mike Olson" said: Jesus people it's just football! And I have spent thousands on this team this year. Hahaha I know we really do bleed purple and gold but man we are a dramatic fanbase!

dont pretend that you didnt feel the kick in the nuts in 09 or 98 or any other time the team has given us great hope only to have it crush our football souls in the end.

@"Mike Olson" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Mike Olson" said: Jesus people it's just football! And I have spent thousands on this team this year. Hahaha I know we really do bleed purple and gold but man we are a dramatic fanbase!

dont pretend that you didnt feel the kick in the nuts in 09 or 98 or any other time the team has given us great hope only to have it crush our football souls in the end.

Meh I used to. I've got calloused nuts now. I get just as stupid fan-wise as everyone else when I am sitting in the stands in the moment. 

I don't know.... something has changed for me where I just can't see getting that upset anymore. But I'm sure it could happen..... 98 I actually cried -not kidding, 2000 I was in disbelief, 2009 I laughed hysterically for about 2 hours. I think Jan 2016 was it for me. I COMPLETELY lost it. I might have busted a bleacher at TCF Bank Stadium... And that wasn't even a NFCCG... Just a playoff game. Maybe I just like to think I've got bigger fish to fry these days. I dunno. At the end of the game I get to go home to a pretty good everything else and have a lot more going on than just the game I was at earlier. 

@"JimmyinSD" said: i predicted 12-4 to 10-6 at the worst for this year,  but even I am having a hard time buying in until we play these next 3 games.   If we can go 3-0 or even    2-1 and make it a good game.... I will likely be gulping the koolaid once again.   I watch the Eagles and I see a real deal team,  I see the Panthers and Falcons and I see a team that on a good day is just as dangerous.(the seahawks and saints are still legit threats as well)    I want to believe that we are every bit the team the the Eagles Panthers and Falcons are,  but I see the little flaws in our team more as I am more familiar.. and the whole 40 years of heartbreak thing.

See watching our team play, along with the Eagles, I believe its a two team race. Watching the Falcons and Seabags last night, it just seems those teams are consistently a bad play or two from sinking themselves. Seattle was and will live off of Wilson making miracles happen. I am sorry but against a team like us or Philly, you dont get that lucky.  Too well coached and too disclipined. And before eveyone jumps on the Falcons band wagon understand Seattle did everything to give them the game last night. Walsh short, a fumble for a TD, a red zone pick and that pathetic unexcusable fake FG. Falcons needed all of that to win. Hawks, Falcons would have to play a perfect game to beat either us or Philly on the road. 

Detroit and Camolina, not enough weapons to beat eithrr us or philly on the road either. If you shut down Carolina’s running game and have a player like Barr to shadow Cam, how do they score. Quickly, name a WR outside of Funchess we will have to face off against. Good enough to make the playoffs, not good enough to beat deep, consistent, well coached teams. Detroit, had to comeback the last 3 games, vs Chi, GB, and Cleveland. Not a sign of a strong team. Plus they rely on turnovers, which bad teams are prone to, elite teams are not (ESPECIALLY TWO GAMES IN A ROW). 

That leaves NO and LA, who are the real threats vs Philly and Minnesota, but would need homefield advantage to feel as a favorite. LA is very good, but the youth at QB will hold them back in the playoffs. The Saints are hot but they have a real issue, they are starting to struggle versus the run. Tough defense, clutch QB play and a running game wins games in January, both Philly and Minnesota have that

Question will be, of these 3 teams, Minn, Philly and NO who can STOP THE RUN. Being able to run neutralizes premier QB play, takes thr crowd out of road games, and keeps the playbook open. You need to be able to utilize an open playbook versus top defenses because they can neutralize your best passing threat (hence why they are top defenses). 

Alshon Jeffery, Michael Thomas, can be erased by Xavier. If our run D proves to be the best down the stretch of these 3, that should be the difference

@"Skodin" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: i predicted 12-4 to 10-6 at the worst for this year,  but even I am having a hard time buying in until we play these next 3 games.   If we can go 3-0 or even    2-1 and make it a good game.... I will likely be gulping the koolaid once again.   I watch the Eagles and I see a real deal team,  I see the Panthers and Falcons and I see a team that on a good day is just as dangerous.(the seahawks and saints are still legit threats as well)    I want to believe that we are every bit the team the the Eagles Panthers and Falcons are,  but I see the little flaws in our team more as I am more familiar.. and the whole 40 years of heartbreak thing.

See watching our team play, along with the Eagles, I believe its a two team race. Watching the Falcons and Seabags last night, it just seems those teams are consistently a bad play or two from sinking themselves. Seattle was and will live off of Wilson making miracles happen. I am sorry but against a team like us or Philly, you dont get that lucky.  Too well coached and too disclipined. And before eveyone jumps on the Falcons band wagon understand Seattle did everything to give them the game last night. Walsh short, a fumble for a TD, a red zone pick and that pathetic unexcusable fake FG. Falcons needed all of that to win. Hawks, Falcons would have to play a perfect game to beat either us or Philly on the road. 

Detroit and Camolina, not enough weapons to beat eithrr us or philly on the road either. If you shut down Carolina’s running game and have a player like Barr to shadow Cam, how do they score. Quickly, name a WR outside of Funchess we will have to face off against. Good enough to make the playoffs, not good enough to beat deep, consistent, well coached teams. Detroit, had to comeback the last 3 games, vs Chi, GB, and Cleveland. Not a sign of a strong team. Plus they rely on turnovers, which bad teams are prone to, elite teams are not (ESPECIALLY TWO GAMES IN A ROW). 

That leaves NO and LA, who are the real threats vs Philly and Minnesota, but would need homefield advantage to feel as a favorite. LA is very good, but the youth at QB will hold them back in the playoffs. The Saints are hot but they have a real issue, they are starting to struggle versus the run. Tough defense, clutch QB play and a running game wins games in January, both Philly and Minnesota have that

Question will be, of these 3 teams, Minn, Philly and NO who can STOP THE RUN. Being able to run neutralizes premier QB play, takes thr crowd out of road games, and keeps the playbook open. You need to be able to utilize an open playbook versus top defenses because they can neutralize your best passing threat (hence why they are top defenses). 

Alshon Jeffery, Michael Thomas, can be erased by Xavier. If our run D proves to be the best down the stretch of these 3, that should be the difference

This team definitely has a different focus and determination this season.  You can hear it and "feel" it whenever players get asked about their thoughts on the QB situation, injuries, etc.  I think this team really believes in itself and the coaching staff to overcome any adversity.  Rudolph, Wright, Griffen, Robison and others have all mentioned how last season has really prepared them for anything and they are just taking it one week at a time.  Supreme confidence in the game plan and everyone doing their job.
Sure, that can sound like canned media talk, but just listen to how they say it and their body language.  You can see their eyes focus and their faces harden up.  This team knows all too well that things can go south if they let it.  I think we're witnessing the team enter the final stage that Zimmer alluded to back when he first became a head coach.  This team learned how to compete, learned how to win, learned how to handle winning, and now I think they are figuring out how to be a Champion.
BOOM

I tend to buy in every preseason and it is only getting stronger. 

Big difference in teams from last year to this.  From the offensive play calling, to the o-line to our depth.

The defense is playing lights out, but this year, they aren't alone.  The offense is carrying a good portion of the load and the team seems bought in. 

@"Mike Olson" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Mike Olson" said: Jesus people it's just football! And I have spent thousands on this team this year. Hahaha I know we really do bleed purple and gold but man we are a dramatic fanbase!

dont pretend that you didnt feel the kick in the nuts in 09 or 98 or any other time the team has given us great hope only to have it crush our football souls in the end.

Meh I used to. I've got calloused nuts now. I get just as stupid fan-wise as everyone else when I am sitting in the stands in the moment. 

I don't know.... something has changed for me where I just can't see getting that upset anymore. But I'm sure it could happen..... 98 I actually cried -not kidding, 2000 I was in disbelief, 2009 I laughed hysterically for about 2 hours. I think Jan 2016 was it for me. I COMPLETELY lost it. I might have busted a bleacher at TCF Bank Stadium... And that wasn't even a NFCCG... Just a playoff game. Maybe I just like to think I've got bigger fish to fry these days. I dunno. At the end of the game I get to go home to a pretty good everything else and have a lot more going on than just the game I was at earlier. 

@"ThunderGod" said:

@"Mike Olson" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Mike Olson" said: Jesus people it's just football! And I have spent thousands on this team this year. Hahaha I know we really do bleed purple and gold but man we are a dramatic fanbase!

dont pretend that you didnt feel the kick in the nuts in 09 or 98 or any other time the team has given us great hope only to have it crush our football souls in the end.

Meh I used to. I've got calloused nuts now. I get just as stupid fan-wise as everyone else when I am sitting in the stands in the moment. 

I don't know.... something has changed for me where I just can't see getting that upset anymore. But I'm sure it could happen..... 98 I actually cried -not kidding, 2000 I was in disbelief, 2009 I laughed hysterically for about 2 hours. I think Jan 2016 was it for me. I COMPLETELY lost it. I might have busted a bleacher at TCF Bank Stadium... And that wasn't even a NFCCG... Just a playoff game. Maybe I just like to think I've got bigger fish to fry these days. I dunno. At the end of the game I get to go home to a pretty good everything else and have a lot more going on than just the game I was at earlier. 

I used to get so worked up during the game that it would ruin the rest of the day and part of Monday.
I had to finally quit getting so excited during the games as twice I went into A-Fib.  Luckily both times I was able to calm down and I went back into normal rhythm with out having to be cardioverted.
Now I just try to relax when I  get upset and start chanting: "Believe in Zimmer, believe in Zimmer".  So far he hasn't failed me.

OK, slightly different perspective here. I've been a Vikings fan since I was small (old man now) and can still remember the little kid disappointment at losing to KC in the SB. Yep. That far back. So I have suffered through the entirety of Vikings' horrors.  My brother, on the other hand, was always a Cowboys fan. We almost came to blows when Drew Pearson pushed off on Staubach's Hail Mary. Well, he just dumped the Cowboys due to Jerry Jones' political position and has become a Vikings fan. But he still thinks like a Cowboys fan. And it's starting to rub off.
He cannot seem to find another loss on the schedule and at most 1 loss to allow for the possibility we stumble and lose a game we should win.
Him: Who's next?
Me: The Lions. They've beaten us 3 straight.
Him: Pffft. Not worried about the Kitties. We'll dominate them and it will make for a great Thanksgiving.  Who's left?
Me: We still have Atlanta, Carolina, and GB on the road and Cinci, and Chicago at home.
Him: OK, well Atlanta and Carolina are pretty good. But Atlanta is a dome team and we play fast and good in domes. That's a win. Carolina can be good but how are they going to score? Who will Cam throw it  to?
Me: They should have Olsen back. Then McCaffrey and the Michigan guy.
Him: That's not enough. We just held the highest scoring team to 7 points. What else?
Me: Cinci at home, GB on the road, and Chicago at home.
Him: All home games are wins. And GB is done. That's it. 14-2 at worst 13-3. Probable first round bye and host a game. But we want Philly at home not in Philly.
Objectively, he's not wrong. He's just never been a Vikings fan. But this is how Cowboys fans have lived for 45 year. It's pretty nice. And it is starting to rub off. 
"It should be a great Thanksgiving." (Confident Vikings fan's version.)
"It will be a great Thanksgiving." (Typical former Cowboys fan's version.)