Nothing to Say [Minnesota Vikings]

I'm sure that most readers expect me to once again mash the panic button this week. After all, the Vikings got waxed on national TV yet again, for the second time in three weeks, this time by a bad team playing its backup quarterback.

Really, though, I don't think there's anything to say. We learned weeks ago that which we needed to know about the Vikings: they're talented but sometimes play badly for long stretches. They are not a dominant juggernaut. They are not unstoppable on offense; their defense is not impenetrable.

So we know what we already knew: a playoff run is possible, if they can manage to earn a first-round playoff bye. It's not guaranteed, and maybe not even likely. The Vikings are, as always, the same old Vikings - good enough to make the playoffs, but that might be it.

Weekend Links [RandBall]

It's time for more weekend links. This week's topics: television, junior hockey, and Canadian money (but not the loonie).

News You Can't Use [Twinkie Town]

Yesterday's post at Twinkie Town was heavily affected by the lack of real live Twins-specific news. Consequently, I fell back on my old standby: making up fake headlines so that I can re-use the same old Twins jokes as always.

Well, I'm sorry. They make me laugh.

Panic Canceled [Minnesota Vikings]

Okay, maybe it's not quite time to panic just yet.

Of course, beating Cincinnati is a pretty good win, particularly so when it's a 30-10 whupping that includes a pair of second-half, six-minute touchdown drives, and holding the Bengals passing offense to 91 yards on 28 attempts.

Looking ahead, the Vikings have a pair of road games in the next two weeks, but they're at Carolina and Chicago, two struggling 5-8 teams. A home game against the Giants in Week 17 is winnable, too. And we look ahead because there are still things to play for.

Minnesota needs one more win (or one more Packer loss) to clinch the NFC North for the second straight year. Two more wins (or some combination of one more win and losses from the Eagles, Cowboys, and Cardinals) clinch a first-round playoff bye. With New Orleans seemingly destined to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, those wins will could at least guarantee Minnesota an extra week of rest, and the chance to play inside throughout January.

Unless you're still panicking. (Personally, I'm ready to hit the panic button again at a moment's notice.)

Weekend Links and Birthdays! [RandBall]

Two RandBall posts for your reading pleasure, this week. First, Friday was the third birthday of the RandBall blog, and as usual, I commemorated the occasion. And today, of course, we have weekend links, which are chock full of hockey, NBA television, and billionaire goodness.

Audio TNABACG! [Twins Podcast]

Last night, Seth Stohs of SethSpeaks.net hosted his regular Minnesota Twins podcast, and his co-host canceled late - leading me to help out by pinch-hitting as a guest. Michael Rand of RandBall fame was also a guest, including a period when we were both on at the same time, arguing with each other.

If you care to listen, here's the link. If it's only my segment or Rand's segment you're after, he's on starting about the 25:00 mark, and I start at about 31:00.

Panic Time! [Minnesota Vikings]

Pessimists of the world, unite!

Weekend Links [RandBall]

Kind of an empty week, content-wise, wasn't it? As always, though, you can count on the Saturday delivery of the weekend links. This week's subjects: Carlos Gomez, the Vikings stadium, and fun things to yell at rock concerts - plus more!

December Important Dates [Twinkie Town]

It's a bit late, now, but on Monday I did a short roundup of some important December dates for the Twins.