Generation upon generation of Vikings fans have spent more than half a century wondering when that doggone oblong-shaped ball will bounce their way both figuratively and literally.
Now, halfway through their 58th season, a high-priced Vikings team built to end a 42-year Super Bowl drought is 4-3-1, has lost the turnover battle five times and is muddling along in a tightly packed NFC North Division that features no five-game winner and four teams within a game of each other.
“No one in this division is ever really out of it at this time of year,” Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen said.