Vikings suffer heartbreak, but better times ahead
The kick sailed left, and the worst of times fell upon a frozen land they call Minnesota, with millions gasping at horrors they will never forget.
On Sunday afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings played the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Wild Card game at TCF Bank Stadium, expected to be blown out by halftime. After all, Seattle had been in the same stadium just a month earlier and crushed Minnesota 38-7, showcasing utter dominance. This time around, the Vikings came to a play in a way that few believed they could.
The two teams battled all day, with Minnesota taking a 9-0 lead into the fourth quarter on three Blair Walsh field goals. In the final 15 minutes, Seattle would frantically score 10 unanswered points, only to watch Minnesota march in the dying seconds to set up a 27-yard field goal attempt for Walsh. Of course, we all know the rest. Walsh kicked the ball with a hook and sent it drifting into history and forever into the minds of scorned Vikings fans.
Whether you are five or 55 years old, you will never forget watching that game. It was a day of cold weather, where steam could be seen coming from every helmet. Ultimately, you will remember the brutal ending for a team that deserved a better fate but did not get it, if only for a single kick.
While looking at this with a long-term scope is only for the detached, the Vikings fans should be heartened by what took place on Sunday. This was a group that was overmatched and outclassed in every way on paper. The Seahawks should have had their way with Minnesota, but instead ran into a tough group that is led by one of the best young head coaches in the game.
Mike Zimmer is a tough-minded individual who is molding a solid defense to lead his burgeoning offense. The Vikings are a few players away from becoming true Super Bowl contenders, but this group could be a major factor in 2016 with the right offseason. This isn’t the end of something in Minnesota but rather the start should general manager Rick Spielman continue to add to this core.
The Vikings have a good young quarterback, a terrific coach and some talented playmakers on the defensive side of the ball led by inside linebacker Eric Kendricks and safety Harrison Smith. The front wall is dynamic as well with Sherrif Floyd and Everson Griffen. Minnesota is no fluke, this team is here for the duration.
While the kick was no good and the crowd cried frozen tears, there are better days for the purple and gold in the coming months and years. Once their hearts thaw out, the blood will be pumping with excitement for autumn once more.
