The beginning of the season for the Minnesota Vikings has been a mixture of emotions. A team that is expected to be a serious contender for the Super Bowl won their opener, then played to a...thrilling?...tie at Green Bay, then lost two in a row. Pessimism was awash over the land, and it felt like the season was teetering on the brink of disaster. The Vikings vaunted defense was bad, the running game was worse, they cut their kicker, and the offensive line was still maddening.
But like a heavyweight boxer who was staggered after an early shot to the jaw, they steadied themselves, squared up, and started punching again.