NFC North

Big game this weekend for the Vikes in Chicago. If they can manage to pull out a W they will have sole possession of first place in the division, after the Colts beat the Pack. It would also set them up well if a potential tiebreaker comes up against the Bears, besides the obvious head-to-head win since the Vikes beat the Panthers while the Bears lost to them, as well as already losing to the Falcons (who the Vikes play at home on Dec. 21).

While I'm talking about the Bears, it's always funny how the so-called experts can be so wrong and how pointless preseason predictions are. Everybody picked the Bears to finish third or fourth in the division and, so far at least, they have been by far the best team, a couple of bounces away from 5-1. Orton can actually complete a forward pass, something the Bears have only done with limited success in their history, and Matt Forte looks like the real deal. It should be a good one, hopefully the Vikes can take advantage of the Bears injured secondary.

The only team I have yet to mention in the division is the lovable loser Lions. I'm actually kind of scared that their new GM Martin Mayhew may have a clue. Trading Roy Williams, who didn't want to be there and who couldn't catch, for a 1st, 3rd, and 6th round pick was a solid move. I've always said that if the Lions get someone who knows what he's doing they could be decent at some point. Big 'if' though.

The Brew Crew

I know they didn't play today but I would be remiss not to mention the astounding turnaround of the Gophers football team. There is actually reason to believe that Brewster may not be a terrible hire after all. Our 6-1 record could easily end up being 10-2 or 11-1, no joke. We only have two road games left, PU and Wisconsin, and they are both very winnable. Of course, the only ranked team we have played and will play (unless Northwestern can continue to win) is Ohio State since the Big Ten is terrible this year. That's all right the Gophers haven't played in a January bowl game since 1962 (which they won over UCLA in case you were wondering) so we'll take it any way we can get it. The three reasons, in my estimation, for the turnaround:

1) Improved athleticism on defense, namely through the Juco transfers: Tramaine Brock at safety, Traye Simmons shutting down one side of the field at DB, and Simoni Lawrence making plays at LB.

2) The existence of a pass rush led by Willie Van de Steeg with 6.5 sacks. This is the first time I ever remember the Gophers actually having one.

3) The emergence of Adam Weber in his sophomore year. He hasn't been spectacular but only 2 interceptions in seven games will always give you a chace to win.

Twins bullpen reappearance?

I watched about 10 minutes of the Rays/Sox game last night and saw the Rays increase their lead to 7-0. At that point, as I'm sure many people did, I shut it off. About an hour later, I put it back on the see if they were still celebrating - since the Rays are a pretty good story - and found the score tied at 7. My first thought was, man the Twins bullpen would be proud of blowing a lead like that. And even more coincidentally, the rally started with former Twin, Grant Balfour on the mound.

Hopefully, they rebound at home tomorrow night. I have a simple rule with sports, I don't cheer for any teams east of Ohio and north of North Carolina. So needless to say, I wouldn't spend a lot of time watching a Phillies/Red Sox world series.

Thomas Tapeh

Just saw that the Vikes cut loose Thomas Tapeh to sign Napolean Harris. That was quick and kind of harsh wasn't it? Oh well, it does make sense to bring in an experienced middle linebacker for E.J.

Getting Started

This is a great time of year to start a MN sports blog in my estimation. You have the Vikings and Gophers football in the heat of their seasons, the T'Wolves in preaseason with their opener just two weeks away, and midnight madness aka "Tubby's Tipoff" for the Gophers b'ball team right around the corner. I don't have a formal journalist background and I certainly don't have a strong athletic pedigree but I'm a passionate sports fan so I figure why not. I hope you find it relevant and interesting. Go ahead and leave some comments, that will help direct what I talk about.