Vikings @ Bengals

There are many endings to celebrate this weekend. The end of the semester (at UMD, at least), the end of Ponder at QB, the end of Josh Freeman’s one-game season, the approaching end of Leslie Frazier’s Vikings coaching tenure, the (hopefully) merciful end of Bill Musgrave’s playcalling, the end of Alan Williams’ non-existent defense, the end of the Vikings 2013 playoff hopes … I could go on, but the point is simply that it’s the beginning of the end and time to celebrate.

This will also be the literal end of the Vikings season at my place. I leave for India next week and don’t return until Jan. 20. So, if you ever plan to come for a Vikings game at my place, this is your last chance. Of course, barring some unforeseen circumstance, I plan to host the usual Super Bowl Party.

As you all know, the Vikings have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention and are now playing their best football (what a surprise). Having achieved goal #1 (agonize Rajiv by missing playoffs), they seem intent on achieving goal #2 (agonize Rajiv by dropping in their draft order). Matt Cassel looked like a star and as has happened every time Ponder stayed off the field, Greg Jennings looked every bit the superstar receiver we thought we were getting when we backed up the truck and unloaded bags of money at his home.

The play the Cincinnati Bengals at the Bengals on Sunday. Come watch the Vikings win, lose, or draw while we enjoy some hot wings and anything else Sheila, Jay, and I decide to whip up for lunch. Do let me know if you’re coming so we can make sure we have something for you. It may be finger food this time. Why? Because I have some. If you don’t like it, bring something.

It will be fun and I’d love to see you.

Vikings @ Ravens

So, when I was a kid in India, I was always one of the last ones picked for our neighborhood cricket games. The two best athletes would always self-select as opposing team captains and take turns choosing from the group of kids waiting to play. I remember the anxiety welling up inside me as the other kids were picked one after the other. I’d try and make eye contact and look my athletic best as the captains looked over the gathered group of slovenly kids, but invariably they would look away and pick one of the others. I counted it as a “win” whenever I was not the last one picked. I think there was one time where one of the physically disabled kids was picked before me (at great long-term cost to my athletic self-esteem). Even when I was not the absolute last one picked, there was invariably a grimace on the face of the team captain as he looked over the dwindling group and said “Fine, I guess I’ll take Rajiv” as the best option among a set of bad choices.

I was reminded of this because I thought I saw that exact same grimace on the face of Leslie Frazier as he announced that Matt Cassel would start as QB for the Vikings this week. I can imagine his decision on who to start at QB is not that dramatically different from the one faced by the cricket team captains as they surveyed the dwindling group of ragtag, undesirable kids left to choose from.

I didn’t watch the game last week. I was at the Star Wars Exhibition at the Museum of Technological Innovation in San Jose, California. I heard that the Vikings won, but it was only later I learned that Ponder looked awful and was at his inconsistent best. So, the team played a lousy game, gave up many opportunities to put the game away and still won. Great! That would be a wonderful outcome if the Vikings were 7-4-1 and vying for the playoffs, but not when they’re 3-8-1 and jockeying for draft position. Getting an undeserved win is the worst-case outcome. But, that’s what the Vikings do.

Well, let’s watch the best of the worst QBs in the league this Sunday. Game time is at noon and I’ll find something for you to have as lunch IF you email me and let me know you’re coming over. Let’s celebrate the approaching end of this horrible season.