Todd Swank: All I Want for Christmas is a Vikings Trip to The Super Bowl!

All I Want for Christmas is a Vikings Trip to The Super Bowl!

Todd Swank's Diary Entry for December 8, 2024

The Vikings just wrapped up a grueling stretch of three back-to-back road games to close out November, and now we’re home for three straight. Last Sunday, I brought my favorite partner in crime, Miss Sheri, along for the action. There’s nothing like hearing her colorful commentary when the team isn’t exactly executing on the field—it’s like sitting next to an angry poet. The best part? The Vikings haven’t lost a game since October 24, which is pretty impressive considering that brutal November road trip. Let’s just say the team is on fire, and so is my wife’s vocabulary.

The Arizona Cardinals came into Sunday’s game with a 6-6 record, teetering on the edge of relevance in the NFC playoff race. Led by Kyler Murray—who’s like a caffeinated toddler dodging giants—they’ve spent most of the season walking the fine line between “dangerous” and “disaster.” Unfortunately for them, they leaned a little too hard into “disaster” this time. The Vikings’ defense picked off Murray twice, proving that no matter how fast you are, you can’t outrun bad decisions.

Down 19-6 late in the third quarter, the Vikings looked like they were gift-wrapping a win for the Cardinals. But Sam Darnold, calm as a quarterback sneaking into a playoff conversation, led the offense on two heart-stopping touchdown drives to pull off a 23-22 comeback. It wasn’t pretty—more like a slow-motion car crash that somehow ended with everyone cheering—but it marked the Vikings’ fifth straight win and a 10-2 record. If this team can keep pulling off wins like this, they might just need a bigger stocking for the Lombardi Trophy.

Last winter, we were spoiled with unseasonably warm weather, but Minnesota decided to remind us who’s boss this year. The lake officially iced over this week, a clear sign that Mother Nature is done playing nice. Sure, it looks peaceful now, but give it a few weeks, and this frozen wasteland will become a battlefield of fish houses, snowmobiles, and regret-filled New Year’s resolutions. Welcome to winter, folks—strap in, it’s gonna be a long one.

We went out Thursday night with Portia and Doc Vogt and discovered Aster House, a brand-new gem near Riverplace on St. Anthony Main. That neighborhood is one of Minneapolis’s best-kept secrets—tree-lined streets, cobblestones, and a skyline view that feels more like a movie set than real life. We rarely get over there, but after this meal, I’m wondering why. Between the rotating Lazy Susan of spreads and the ridiculously decadent Banana Toffee Pudding, Aster House made sure it won’t be long before we’re back. Good friends, great food, and the perfect neighborhood—it doesn’t get much better than that.

Before dinner, we drove by the nearby theater and saw Timothée Chalamet was in town for the premiere of his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown. Curious, we asked the hostess if she knew he was in the neighborhood. She tried to play it cool, but slipped and told us he’d actually be dining at Aster House later. Naturally, we kept an eye out during dinner, ready for our brush with fame. But alas, Timmy never showed. On our way out, we passed the theater again and learned he was running late. We debated waiting for him, but eventually decided we’re too old to loiter for someone half our age. Guess we’ll just have to catch him on the big screen—where he won’t keep us waiting.

Friday night, we hit up the Christmas Spectacular at River Valley Church in Apple Valley—a dazzling display of holiday cheer wrapped in beautiful music. It was the perfect way to dive into the Christmas spirit without the usual chaos of malls, parking lots, and elbows flying over discounted TVs. Honestly, it was almost enough to make me feel like we should stop procrastinating on putting up the tree. Almost.

Being empty nesters, we’ve noticed the Christmas decorations at home have taken a serious hit. It’s not that we don’t love the holidays—it’s just easier to enjoy someone else’s perfectly trimmed tree without the hassle of digging through dusty bins and untangling lights that somehow knot themselves in the off-season. Plus, when the decorations are somewhere else, there’s no guilt about taking them down in March.

Ted and Marcia invited us to the Christmas Spectacular for the second year in a row. We went out for dinner beforehand, had a ton of laughs, and once again proved that the true spirit of Christmas is good friends and great food. These two sure know how to make the season feel special.

Saturday night, Avery and Abby invited us over to watch Georgia take on Texas in the SEC Championship—and boy, were we in for a show. Normally, we’re forcing Abby to endure Minnesota sports heartbreak, so it was nice to finally support her hometown team. Georgia pulled off an insane overtime win, and we got to witness the kind of game that makes you realize why people spend entire Saturdays glued to college football. Between the nail-biting finish and the good food, it’s safe to say we’ll happily crash their place for future big games. Go Dawgs!

Sunday, we brought Abby to a Minnesota Vikings game, and even though they were playing her home state's Atlanta Falcons, she showed up in Vikings gear like a true team player. She might not be a die-hard Falcons fan, but her Georgia roots still had her feeling a little conflicted. Thankfully, this wasn’t college football—because let’s face it, the Gophers aren’t exactly ready to take on the Bulldogs anytime soon. Having her support us and our love for the Vikings made the day all the more fun.

I only have two season tickets for the Vikings, so getting to a game with both of my boys is a rare treat. But this Sunday, the stars aligned, and we made it happen. It was a blast—just three Swanks in purple, yelling like maniacs and pretending we have any control over the game. Memories were made, voices were lost, and the Vikings didn’t let us down.

Kirk Cousins made his much-anticipated return to U.S. Bank Stadium, this time in Falcons red, and let’s just say the reception wasn’t exactly a warm Minnesota welcome. For six seasons, Kirk was our guy—the one threading the needle to Jefferson, leading comebacks, and making us believe we were one step away from the Super Bowl. Then, in the offseason, he chased the big paycheck in Atlanta, and while the money might be good, his season has been… less so. Uneven play and a league-high interception count have made his new team question the investment. Watching him take the field again was like seeing an old flame who’s moved on—and then hearing the crowd boo him like he stole their Tater Tot Hotdish recipe. Jarring, sure, but when the final whistle blew, there was no doubt which team made the right choice.

Six wins in a row, and this one was an exclamation point. Sam Darnold lit up the Falcons with a career-best performance, tossing five touchdown passes like he was channeling peak Favre, while Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson played catch in the end zone all afternoon. It was a dominant team effort—interceptions, big runs, forced fumbles, and an offense that kept Atlanta chasing shadows. And sure, Kirk Cousins returned to Minnesota with his shiny Falcons contract, but between the boos and two picks, it wasn’t exactly a Hallmark homecoming. The Vikings are rolling, 11-2, and if this streak keeps up, that NFC North crown might need a new shade of purple.