Benster and D Pick Your Games -- Vikings Fans Are Nervous Edition

Old dude, I think the Vikings fans should be nervous about Sunday. If they say they are not nervous, they probably are not being honest with themselves.

I hear a lot of bravado, but Vikings fans are always hearing the hellhounds on their trail. Over 50 years of torment will do that to a fan base. 

Yes, the fans of a 55-year old team hear the hellhounds described on an 80-year old record. The blues fall down like hail. 

I don't know where you come up with this stuff, old dude. Where you there when Robert Johnson recorded it? Maybe I should go ask Mom. I am sure that Mrs. D must be shaking her head.

She's been shaking her head for many years at my antics. But you knew that.

Mine too, Geritol Fan! But enough of the Delta blues, unless that's foreshadowing.

I don't know. I haven't seen your picks yet.

Well, stay patient. It's like you missed your daily dose of the Carter's Little Liver Pills or something. We have some other games to discuss, but you know that the Vikings fans are feeling the HYYYYYYYPPPPEE! and planning for another home playoff game down the line.

Or will the blues fall down like hail?

I'm not saying. Yet. Fair warning, I am going to bust out some spicy hot takes that even Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith would never even consider saying. It is time to watch me work!


Hotlanta Falcons (-3) vs. Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles were projected to be the Super Bowl favorites, but will have to rely on Nick Foles to get them there instead of Carson Wentz. The Eagles are certainly going to be a factor, but the adage is that the best quarterback in a playoff game generally will win. Matt Ryan is certainly one of the best quarterbacks left, and has more playoff experience. The weather in Philly might not be ideal for a dome team, but I expect Matt Ryan to continue to try and redeem himself following the meltdown in Houston last season. Falcons 27, Eagles 17.

I think it's unfortunate that Wentz cannot play. Having said that, Matt Ryan might have still beaten the Eagles. The Eagles are rested, but they are not a complete team without their dynamic leader. If they are going to win this game, it will be with defense. Do they have enough to stop the Falcons? Survey says: Falcons 28, Eagles 14.

Tennessee Titans (+13) vs. New England Cheatriots. The Patriots have had to face a lot of questions for a number 1 seed, mostly surrounding an ESPN article claiming that the Hoodie, Robert Kraft, and Tom "Deflating Baller" Brady aren't likely to be getting along these days. New England is possibly the last great dynasty in the NFL, but really should be counted as 2 distinct dynasties since they went a decade without winning a Lombardi Trophy. The Titans are a young and hungry team who impressed me in coming back last week in a very difficult place to win -- Arrowhead. Let's be honest with each other, New England has had too many distractions lately and the Titans have nothing to lose. This will certainly cause consternation, but this will be the last game the Hoodie and Brady play together. Next year will finally determine once and for all if Brady really is as great as his fanboys claim, or if he is merely an average quarterback who was carried to 5 titles by a great head coach, a clutch kicker, and organizational strength. Titans 24, Cheatriots 0.

So that organizational strength in New England? That's Brady himself. The Patriots never won a thing before he hit town. He's the real deal. And he'll be able to beat the Titans, although it should be a better game than the point spread would indicate. Patriots 28, Titans 23.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+7) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers. Everyone talks about the Steelers as being the only team to have a chance to beat the Patriots in the AFC. I never have bought it. The Steelers honestly get along based on stars showing up and nothing else. Mike Tomlin is a good coach, but is he really better than Bill Cowher? Jacksonville beat the Steelers earlier this year, and the Jaguars have a very strong defense that can shut down the high powered Steeler offense. I like Jacksonville because they are young and have nothing to lose, and the Steelers can't rely on star power to keep bailing them out in games that they should have breezed past. Jaguars 17, Steelers 3.

Who is playing quarterback for the Jaguars? That would be Blake Bortles. He doesn't have any television endorsements, but he had a near namesake who did in the 80s:

While Blake Bortles will thank you for your support, I can't support him. Steelers 24, Jags 14.

New Orleans Saints (+5) vs. Minnesota Vikings. I have been waiting to talk about this game for a while, and I have a lot to say. The Vikings are the team who suddenly every single talking head wants to praise, and it seems nobody in the NFL media is asking serious questions about the Vikings. I am the only person to point out that the Vikings feasted on a schedule coming into this season was very easy, and that the Vikings won an NFC North that was down. If we go back to October, the hit by Anthony Barr on Aaron Rodgers really changed the balance of power, and removed the last real contender for the Vikings in the NFC North. A tiny, but vocal minority of fans cheered that injury and joked about it, in addition to rubbing it in the faces of my fellow Packers fans. Another factor that  annoys me about the Vikings this year, is that nobody besides me is questioning them honestly and respectfully. Case Keenum is having the season of his life, but is he really better than Sam Bradford?

You be the judge

The Saints are no slouches, and are balanced and have a more experienced quarterback. The Vikings are a very good team, and I am not arguing otherwise. My point of view is that the Vikings have no excuses this year, since the Packers, Cowboys, and Seahawks are all sitting on their couches. If the Vikings waste this golden chance, Mike Zimmer should be canned. Ben, that sounds harsh, I hear you say. Well, that is the way it should be. Mike Zimmer has done a great coaching job, but he can come off as arrogant. Although I do think he should be Coach of the Year, he reminds me of some bad coaches I had growing up in which sometimes he takes too much of the credit and does not seem to be a humble guy. The bottom line is that the Vikings will play their hearts out, but will come short because the Saints are too balanced and experienced. In addition, the Saints are a lot better than the last time they came into Minneapolis. Saints 29, Vikings 10.

With all due respect, young fella, this isn't Shoreview Area Youth Baseball. I agree, this is the best chance the Vikings have had in 40 years. I don't think they will blow it this time. Saints give them a tough game, but. . . . Vikings 24, Saints 20.

Once again, I call it like I see it, and if you are with the Vikings and want to call me a moron or a biased Packers fan, I welcome debate in the comment section. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out!