Vikings shine in prime time!

NFL rushing leader Dalvin Cook.
Larry Fitzgerald with NBC -TV Analyst Cris Collinsworth. Lou Lampson
Since 1961 the Vikings have captured the hearts and minds of fans across the state of Minnesota. Since they were born in the NFL, the Vikings slowly but surely have risen to become the most popular franchise in town. But fast-forward to 2019 and suddenly the Vikings are being challenged by the remarkable season of the 9-0 Minnesota Gophers.

Maybe the Vikings were just waiting for a challenge after four lost Super Bowls and countless other near-misses over the years, losing NFC title games in 1987-1998, 2009 and 2017 with teams that had the look of champions. Could NFL season 100 be the year of the Vikings?

Sunday night in prime time on NFL NBC, the top-rated program in television, the Vikings beat their longtime rival the Dallas Cowboys 28-24 to improve 12-12 all-time against America’s team. Dallas is the most valuable sports franchise in all of sports at $5.1 billion. The Vikings, now 7-3 with six games remaining, stayed in the chase for the NFC North title.

Running back Dalvin Cook has emerged as the team’s star, leading the NFL in rushing with 991 yards and total combined yards of 1,415 from scrimmage. Cook has scored 10 touchdowns.

Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Photo Lou Lampson
The NFC is loaded again with winning teams like San Francisco (8-0), Green Bay (8-2), Seattle (7-2) and New Orleans (7-2) that have positioned themselves for the chase to gain the valuable top two spots in the NFC for home field advantage.

The Vikings are 6-0 when they score 28 points or more this season; they are 3-0 after losses and have swept the NFC East Washington, Dallas, New York and Philadelphia. Buckle up, fans, and hold on. This should be interesting if the Vikings over the next six weeks can challenge the unbeaten Gophers for best football team in town.

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, on WDGY-AM 740 Monday and Friday at 9:10 am, and at www.Gamedaygold.com. He also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Follow him on Twitter at FitzBeatSr. Larry welcomes reader responses to info@larry-fitzgerald.com or visit Larry-Fitzgerald.com.