DENVER -- Moral victories are a fool's errand in the NFL, the high stakes of a 16-game season at the mercy of fate's cold hand.
You are what your record says and the 2-2 Vikings have revealed plenty about themselves entering the bye.
Dysfunctional at times in all three phases but resilient throughout when slammed against a wall, irritated by squandered chances but optimistic about opportunities created.
Losing 23-20 Sunday to a superior Broncos team leaves the Vikings where they should be after the first quarter of the season. There is plenty to like, much to criticize and ample room to grow.