The Vikings will soundly defeat the Steelers

[The Breeze]

Actually I had the cojones to make a prediction for the Vikings in a positive manner, which is completely unheard of in this forum of Eeyores. There are so many downers and negative Vikings fans around here it's depressing, and what's more pathetic is when anyone makes any prediction that the Vikings might do something good, you all pounce.

I was trying to show you can go out on a limb for the Vikings to actually do something right, and not end up with egg on your face, so you're darn right I'm going to gloat about it. And I didn't just make a random statement, I backed up with reasons for why it would happen. People around here need to have a little more faith in this Vikings squad, and not be so quick to disparage someone who does

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Okay okay...have fun...I'm just yanking your chain. They should be 3-1 IMO. They are a decent team...just young.

[The Breeze]

Eh, Vikings lead from start to finish, had a 17 point lead at one point, and like Yezzir said, wouldn't have been as close if Walsh hits the FG. I'd call that pretty close to a sound win. Besides, not many predicted a win in the first place.

C'mon man! It was one little play from inside the 10 yard line from going to OT. Time wasn't even a real factor at the end. And the Steelers had pretty had their way with the VIkes down there in the 2nd half.

I can't believe some of you guys. They lose one week, on the last seconds of a game and they're going 0-16....they manage to pull one out and they're ####-beaters. Udder-madness!

I guess that's Viking reality.

Credit the Steelers for not laying down at all. And credit the front four of the Vikes for finally having the nutz to come up big at the end of a game.

Don't get me wrong it was a good win....

[Reignman]

... and it all eminates from the switch to Matt Cassel. Cassel has played very good and very bad in the past, so predicting either performance is legitimate, but here's why I think this will work out for us:

--Urgency. Matt Cassel surely understands this is likely his last chance to start in the NFL. Not only that but a chance to take over a team that was just in the playoffs and contains the NFL MVP, so its not like taking over the Jaguars, he's taking a team that can hang with the best of 'em. And with the bye coming up, Ponder would be ready for the next game, so Cassel might not get another chance. If anyone has a full grasp of how important his performance will be this Sunday its Matt Cassel. He's had mega games before, I think he'll turn it on this Sunday.

--Receiving group. You'll notice all of Ponder's passes for more than 5 yards were to receivers who were wide open. Ponder's ability to throw a pass that can be caught on the run is zilch. The receivers know this and will work that much harder to get open and stretch the field.

--oline and defense. I guarantee a spark and 150% effort. Not only because we are 0-3, but they realize the ceiling of success with Ponder, and will be hopeful and supportive that Cassel can be the strong passer the Vikings need. I believe the defense and o-line will play that much harder to give Cassel every chance to succeed. While a fan might believe that all players give 100% effort 100% of the time, unfortunately that's not reality. Motivation causes players efforts to go up and down. I believe it will be at a high point this Sunday.

--Belief. From what I gather the players seem to believe in Frazier and realize 0-4 not only kills their season but might get their HC fired and my impression is they don't want him fired. And while all the players seem to like nice guy Ponder, and therefore never pushed the issue and never spoke against Ponder in public, I have a feeling they realize Ponder already hit his ceiling and they want to go farther and realize if they lose this game, things will revert to Ponder-ball to finish the season in preparation for next year's draft. I believe the team will give 150% effort to avoid this scenario.

I am aware of some injury issues, so this will hardly be a cake walk, and I'm also aware the Steelers are facing the reality of their first losing season since forever, but I think we have that edge because of the QB switch and uncertainty of our QB future. however because of our injured secondary, I would expect the Vikings to win in a shootout, not a shutout.

Why are you feeding anyone crow but yourself?

They needed a huge play from the defense just to keep it from overtime.

That was as close a victory as our last 2 losses.

Roflburgers had nearly 400 yards passing and we won by 1 score

Hardly a sound defeat.......

Come on, give the guy some props, he nailed it. Most descriptive spot on prediction I've seen in a long time if not ever. It was decisive until garbage time. I will mention though, garbage time = anytime the Vikings have a lead at any point in the game xD.