Twins, Vikes, Wolves ... (More like 2003 than 1998)

After watching the Vikings play the eagles on Monday nite it is obvious that this offense resembles 2003 more than it does 1998. Sure it is only the second game of the year but the lessons of 2003 at least on the road look very similar. The heck with the number one offensive rating, points are what matters. There are so many things for a Mike Tice team to prove. Can they win on the road against a good team? Can Dante win a big game on the road? Will this team again lead the league in penalties as it has the last two years? 1998 was an amazing year on offense but until this team puts up points on the road the way it does at home how can we really call them legitimate super bowl contenders? Dante has yet to bring them back in the last two minutes of the game. The defensive line still looks like it has no rush. More pointedly this will be Chris Hovan's last year as a Viking, he is no where close to the player he was. It is still early but as a long time Viking fan this team still has plenty to prove to me. Potentially they can be a very good team, but I am not sure they are mentally tough enough to live up to that potential. Wins at home like against Dallas are supposed to happen, repeated efforts like last nite in Philadelphia need to become things of the past. Look at what the Colts did in Tennessee. Mental toughness and it begins with a head coach and quarterback.