How About Them Minnesota Vikings?
Todd Swank's Diary Entry for October 9, 2022
Ever since we came back from our Alaska Trip, I've been way behind on creating blog posts. We've had a busy Fall and many good times with good friends. I'm going to attempt to get a bit current by combining a bunch of photos into one post.
We always enjoy cruising the St. Croix River with our good friends, Karl & Tina Zitzewitz. So we were really looking forward to a date night boat ride with these fun couples.
We went from Afton, Minnesota to Hudson, Wisconsin and back. We had a great dinner, good drinks, and many, many laughs. Those are my favorite.
I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Clear Lake, Iowa attending Jason Alexander's Cabin Classic Golf Tournament & Poker Contest. I always have fun with my buddies from high school.
The Cabin Classic is mainly about the golf tournament, but quite honestly my golf game hasn't really improved in the 20 years or so since we started having this weekend event. I'm lobbying to get the Poker Contest part added to the title of the weekend. At least I have a shot at winning in cards.
Our good friends, Tom & Kellie Wolf's son was married and we had a great time at the wedding helping them celebrate. Congratulations, Thomas & Stephanie!!
I've also spent every other Sunday or so in downtown Minneapolis at US Bank Stadium cheering on the NFC North leading Minnesota Vikings.
This is our second year having Vikings season tickets and it's been a blast. I bought the tickets so I get to attend each game, while Miss Sheri and the boys alternate joining me for each contest. Sheri was with me today at the Bears game.
Avery had first pick this year and joined me at the home opener against the team we all love to hate, the Green Bay Packers.
Luke helped me round out the NFC North visiting teams by joining me for the Detroit Lions game.
Our seats are directly behind the smoke breathing dragons near where the players run out on the field at the beginning of each game. It's a fun view of the field.
We've had a lot of frustrating years being Minnesota Vikings fans, but were anxious for the beginning of the season to see how things would change with first year head coach, Kevin O'Connell. So far, we've liked what we've been seeing.
Our home opener against the Packers was probably the most satisfying so far. They've had our number for so many years, it was an awesome feeling to start the season getting a win against them.
Our quarterback, Kirk Cousins, seems to carry a lot of controversy. Half of our fans seem to love him and the other half hate him. I like what he's done for us over the years and glad we have him. We've certainly had worse quarterback situations in the 30+ years since I've been a fan. He does seem to struggle with the national spotlight games, but maybe he'll get that figured out this year just in time for a deep playoff run. I'm hopeful for that anyways.
We also have one of the greatest running backs in the game with Dalvin Cook. Just look at that hole in front of him!
Justin Jefferson is one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the game and has had a couple awesome home games and one not so awesome. It's a bunch of fun to watch him griddy around the field when he gets a touchdown or encouraging his teammates after they get one.
Jared Goff and the Vikings came to town and kept us on the edge of our seats. They opened up the game with a 14-0 lead.
The Vikings came back and tied it up by halftime. The Lions responded after the half with 10 more unanswered points and then the Vikings had an exciting comeback and scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to win the game.
We thought things would be different during today's game vs the Chicago Bears. The Vikings dominated the first half and ran up the score to 21-3 and we thought it was going to be wrapped up early.
Justin Fields proved to be pretty elusive, however, and brought his team back into the game. They actually took back the lead in the fourth quarter and we were all pretty nervous when the score became 22-21.
Kirk pulled through again though and eventually ran in a 1 yard touchdown to win the game 29-22. It was a nail biter and thrill ride all in one.
We've had a lot to celebrate so far this year. Other than a stinker on Monday Night Football against the Eagles, the Vikings are 4-1 and sitting on top of the NFC North. There's a lot of season left to go, but it's nice for them to get the start they have so far this year and we look forward to watching them the rest of the season and seeing where they can go.