Read the opposing argument from Babe Ruthless.
I was looking forward to today’s debate all weekend long. Both teams are two high profile teams, and since both the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings were matched up in a late afternoon national broadcast yesterday, I knew I’d get a chance to sit down in my recliner and soak it all in. Being the lazy man that I tend to be on Fall weekends, that’s exactly what I did. Thanks to a couple of Tony Romo interceptions and a handful of Cowboy penalties, the Vikings were able to escape with a much needed victory. That victory left the Vikings at a much more manageable 2-3 and within striking distance of the vulnerable Bears in the NFC North. But, a victory does not mean all is well in the Twin Cities.
First, let’s look at yesterday’s game. By no means did the Vikings dominate the game. Hardly. A quick look at the box score shows quite the opposite. The Vikings had 188 total yards, which included a measly 118 passing yards from Brett Favre. The Cowboys, in contrast, had 314 total yards, and seemed to be able to move the ball a lot easier than the Vikings. If it wasn’t for Percy Harvin’s 95 yard kickoff return to open the second half the outcome of the game could have been flipped as the three other scoring drives by the Vikings totaled an embarrassing 75 yards! Ouch! Obvious questions remain.
New acquisition Randy Moss was supposed to jump start the Viking offense, but that really hasn’t happened yet. He hasn’t been a distraction yet, either. In fact, both Favre and head coach Brad Childress credit Moss for firing the team up at the half. But Moss really hasn’t been the spark to the offense on the field. In two games he has nine catches for 136 yards. Expectations are admittedly high for Moss, but I don’t think nine catches over two games meets those expectations.
Then there’s our newest text message fanatic, Mr. Favre. For those of us who have watched the NFL for the past eighteen years we have gotten used to #4 riding in his white stallion and saving the day for his team. He’s not that guy anymore. And to be perfectly fair, we shouldn’t expect him to be. What he accomplished last season at age 40 was amazing. What he is doing this season at 41 is realistic. Last season we often heard, “How did he make that throw?” This season we are hearing, “Brett would like to have that one back.” I heard that more than once from commentator Troy Aikman. That’s not to say that Favre doesn’t still have it in him. He can still play. He’s just not an All-Pro quarterback anymore. Not to mention the fact that he has been battling elbow tendinitis and also has ongoing off-the-field distractions.
The Vikings, however, are built to win in 2010. They traded for Moss to win in 2010. They talked Favre out of retirement… AGAIN… to win in 2010. And if you look behind Favre on the quarterback depth chart, quarterbacks number two and three bring out the names Tavaris Jackson and Joe Webb (who?). At least Dallas has Jon Kitna! Can the Vikings win this season with those guys if Favre goes down with injury (entirely possible)? Are those guys capable of leading the team in the future? Hahahahahaha!!!
Both the Cowboys and Vikings have uphill battles to make the playoffs in 2010. With both being 2009 division champions, they have extremely difficult schedules the rest of the way. But the Vikings have age going against them. They HAVE to win now and that’s why there is more panic in the Twin Cities.
Posted by Loyal Homer 
