Let's face it: There is such a thing as luck. And the Vikings, after a rough beginning, are getting the benefit of some questionable referees' calls.
No one on the Minnesota sidelines can be proud of a 12-10 win over the winless Detroit Lions at the Metrodome. That's a game the Vikes should've won by three touchdowns.
Shoulda, coulda, woulda.
Every game Minnesota has played has gone down to the wire. How curious.
When you look at the statistics, the Vikings appeared to dominate the game. They had almost 400 yards total offense. Gus Frerotte had a good game, with nearly 300 yards passing. Adrian Peterson rushed for more than 100 yards.
But Peterson fumbled twice; Frerotte tossed an interception; and the Lions blocked a field goal.
A couple of borderline referees' calls helped decide this one, which is the definition of winning ugly. A call on the Lions at the end of the game gave the Vikings the ball in field-goal territory, and Ryan Longwell cashed in.
It was very strange at the end of the game. This game was in the balance. So was the Bears-Falcons contest (the game of the day). The Vikings could end up 3-3 or 2-4. The Bears could end up 4-2 or 3-3. The Vikings could be two games back, a game back or tied.
More good fortune. The Bears took the lead with 11 seconds left, but the Falcons got the ball to the Bears' 30 and Jason Elam -- who had blown a chip shot a few minutes earlier -- made the kick.
In Minneapolis, the Vikings were opportunistic on a day when they turned the ball over way too many times. Maybe they were looking ahead to a matchup with the Bears. Maybe they just weren't clicking. Or maybe they're overrated.
But don't think anyone's happy, least of all the fans. During the second half of the game, people at the Dome were chanting "Fire Childress!" Ouch.
Peterson just can't fumble, especially twice in one game.
You have to ask yourself a couple of questions: First, the Lions were ahead 10-2 and the Vikings scored a touchdown. Why in the world do you not go for two?
Second, how can the Vikings defense not manage more than one turnover against a rookie QB, Dan Orlovsky, who started in place of the injured Jon Kitna. Sure, they got six sacks, but no interceptions. Come on, this is supposed to be a great defense.
And how in the world can the Vikings' offense score only 10 points against such a porous defense? (Jared Allen sacked Orlovsky in the end zone for the other two points.) How could the Vikings be just three for 15 on third downs? The offense just isn't getting it done.
But a win is a win. Yes, the Vikings played poorly, especially their offense. You have to be concerned about the team, and you have to wonder about Childress. If the Vikings don't make the playoffs -- and though they're tied for the division lead, they haven't really put it all together -- he better get to work on his resume.
More good fortune: You don't have to be great to win the NFC North. No team is above .500. You might win the division with a 9-7 record.
But first things first. The Vikings need to get their offense in gear. Right. Now.
Notes: At least two Minnesota players had great games. Kevin Williams had four sacks and eight tacklesa nd Bernard Berrian had five catches for 131 yards.
