This sunday, at Ford Field, the Detoit Lions (0-12) will attempt to continue their historic trek towards the unholly grail of football, a 0 - 16 season. However, they face their stiffest challenge yet when they take on the Minnesota Vikings (7-5). To many the Detroit Lions are a franchise which embodies the words futlity and failure. Yet if this is true, then the Minnesota Vikings are equally defining of the word dissapointment. So this Sunday futility and failure will take on dissapointment for the title of NFL laughingstock.

With four games left to play in the 2008 NFL Season the Lions look poised to finish the season as the first team ever to finish 0-16. At first glance their schedule looks difficult, if not downright impossible. They play playoff contenders Minnesota, and Indianapolis; as well as games against a competitive New Orleans team. Finally, they finish the season on the road in the frozen tundra at Green Bay.

However, this isn’t the first time that the Detroit Lions have been this close to imperfection. In 2001 the Minnesota Vikings marched into the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, and were stunned by the then 0-12 Lions, 24-27. The Vikings have a long history of generating false hope, followed by crushing dissapointment. It seems that whenever expectations are low, the Vikings manage to play well. However when expectations rise, such as in the 1998 Conference Championship game against Atlanta, the Vikings find a way to lose. Read the rest of this entry »

Later this week the Minnesota Vikings face the very real prospect that three fourths of their starting defensive line will be suspended for 2-4 weeks. The brothers Williams (ok, they’re not actually brothers…), Pat and Kevin Williams face four week suspensions for testing positive for a banned diuretic. Combine that with the potential suspension of defensive dynamo Jared Allen for a low blow on Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers, and the Vikings already razor thin hopes for a playoff berth are on life support.

If you thought the Vikings pass defense was bad before, just wait until three guys who were part of Bryant McKinnie’s entourage last week are forced to suit up and try to rush the quarterback. The potential loss of Kevin Williams and Jared Allen alone would doom the Vikings pass defense, but throw in Pat Williams and the Vikings suddenly won’t be able to stop the pass OR the run.

Picked by some as pre-season Superbowl favorites, the Vikings have managed to make an adventure of a cakewalk schedule. Despite the ineptitude of opening-day starting QB Tarvaris Jackson, the immobility of current starter Gus Frerotte, and the idiosyncratic play calling of head coach Brad Childress the Vikings are still somehow perched in a first place tie atop the NFC North. If the Vikings defensive linemen are suspended, there’s a very real possibility that the Vikings could lose out.

For anybody that thought new ownership and a new head coach could transform the Vikings back into a respectable franchise, this goes to show that some things will never change, especially when dealing with a cursed team like the Vikings. Go ahead and add the Vikings 2008-09 seasons to the list of embarrassments this franchise has seen. And just as a reminder, that list includes a sex boat, the whizz-anator, missed draft picks, Dennis Green, and the Herschel Walker trade.

*Until I get back to winning weekends, I’m giving up the “Best Bets” title. 

Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 11-17

Ohio State -3 over Michigan State: I hate the Big Ten and therefore, I’m not a fan of Ohio State. But while the Buckeyes struggle against athletic competition from superior conferences, their grind-it-out style is right at home in the Big Ten. It comes down to stopping MSU running back and Heisman candidate Javon Ringer, who has already surpassed 1,000 yards. I think they’re up to the challenge.

Colorado -3.5 over Kansas State: Colorado got a tough draw to open conference play by facing Texas and Kansas, but I still think they’re an up-and-coming team. As for Kansas State, they’ve done nothing to impress me. Beating Texas A&M isn’t an accomplishment. In fact, it’s one of the easiest things to do in D-1 athletics. 

Texas Tech -21 over Texas A&M. Speaking of those Texas A&M Aggies, have you seen them play this year? It’s not pretty. Tech had a scare last weekend against Nebraska, so I don’t see them coming out flat again. A&M has allowed 100 points over their last two games…and now Michael Crabtree comes into town. See ya. 

New Mexico -14 over San Diego State. The good news for Chuck Long’s Aztecs is quarterback Ryan Lindley might be back under center. The bad news? Everything else. The Aztecs haven’t beaten New Mexico in seven years and they’ve only covered one time in that span. Against a defensive line absolutely destroyed by injuries, New Mexico will wear down SDSU with their effective running game.

* May not be entirely accurate
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 10-14

Arizona -6.5 over Stanford: With the exception of a loss to New Mexico, Mike Stoops’ team has been pretty solid this year. They can throw the ball all over the field, which will come in handy against a lousy Stanford secondary that allows over 270 passing yards a game. Zona is 2-0 in conference play and are set up for a big game against 2-0 Cal this week. But they can’t overlook the Cardinal.

Georgia -12.5 over Tennessee: The Vols are in disarray. They’re 2-3 and now have to head between the hedges to take on a Georgia team itching to play again after losing to Alabama. For me, this matchup comes down to the revenge factor. Remember when Tennessee steamrolled the Dawgs at Neyland Stadium last year, eventually costing Georgia a spot in the BCS National Championship? I don’t think they’ve forgotten either. Look for Georgia to get back on track here.

Air Force -10 over San Diego State: In last year’s matchup between these two teams, Air Force racked up a ridiculous 569 rushing yards against the Aztecs. While I don’t look for that to happen this time around, I do like AFA coming off a loss to Navy. SDSU struggles with the option game, as was made evident by their loss to FCS Cal Poly earlier this year. Promising quarterback Ryan Lindley will likely be out of this one, so look for Drew Westling, who went 6-17 versus TCU, to get the start.  

Vandy -2.5 over Mississippi State: I wanted to go the other way on this game really bad, but I’m not going to. This has all the makings for a Vandy letdown: After beating Auburn and before facing Georgia. MSU is 1-4, but have played tough against both Auburn and Georgia this year. Nevertheless, I see the Commodores somehow getting out of here with a win. It’s not going to be pretty, but I can’t pick against them until they don’t cover a spread. 

Are we supposed to take this seriously?  ESPN should just openly root for all Boston sports teams and make our lives a whole lot easier.