Thoughts: what if the Vikings make the super bowl?

[XLIX]

In the event the super bowl is indeed Vikings patriots, does it worry any of you that it’s essentially a home game for the Vikings?

Not really, for several reasons:

1) OK, yes, the Patriots would have to travel whereas Minny would not. But it isn't exactly like they would be playing on a short week.

2) It won't be a typical home game with 70,000 hardcore, rabid home fans. Half the stadium won't be fans of either team. And while Minny fans would outnumber NE fans, it won't be quite the same ratio as usual.

3) Belichick will undoubtedly do that thing where he kicks them out of their own locker room. Minnesota would have to use the visitors' locker room.

4) I also believe the Patriots would insist on scoreboard (and noise) "neutrality" instead of celebrating every Minnesota play.

5) Case Keenum

 

[NormZauchin]

I think he'll go with the blue. If it came to pass he'll go with tradition and treat it like every SB.

Watch him do the opposite.

How about the red throwback jerseys?

 

[NormZauchin]

They'll be playing in a dome, though. If it were the elements, I would think the Vikes run away with this one. That defense is too tough. But the dome is going to be the equalizer when it comes to Saints' O vs. Vikes D.

I remember when Minnesota first moved into a dome and the ensuing discussions that they had thrown away a big home field advantage. No one liked to play in Minnesota in the late fall and winter. I remember a comment by a Bills player on how they hated to go to the Twin Cities at the end of the season, saying "... and we play in g..d... Buffalo!" He was right. Buffalo gets more snow, but the average January high temperature in the city is 31 degrees compared to 24 in Minneapolis.

 

[sambam94]

it's supposed to be a neutral site..if the AFC is the home team, then the vikings should be in the visitors locker room. That's just common sense..but it's the NFL we are dealing with, I get it.

 

[fnordcircle]

It'd be really cool to have the local team in the SB.

And then beat them.

 

[GaryfromTO]

they'll tie Denver for most Super Bowl losses

 

[brdmaverick]

Yes of course. But playing on the road can present multiple problems and weather is just one of them.

.....but I 'd say weather is the biggest factor. That's why there used to be a stat in which no dome team has ever won a Super Bowl while having to play at least one game outside. The colts are the only anomaly to this (they won in 2006 by winning at BAL and at a rainy SB in Miami).

Weather is the biggest game changer for dome teams.

 

[Pats1989]

01- Blue- W
03- Blue- W
04- White- W
07- Blue- L
11- Blue- L
14- White- W
16- White- W
17- Blue?

2-2 in the Blues and 3-0 in the Whites

Maybe b/c MN is home we can wear the Whites?

I'm a superstitious guy but here it goes: The Patriots ( If they make it) are the home team. Therefore, they get to decide what color jersey to wear. I think it would be crazy to not go with the whites. They'v won their last two SB's wearing white. Brady has played two of his greatest games ( SB 49 & 51) wearing white. Furthermore, they'v lost their last two SB's wearing blue. Brady has been average in both. Team wearing white has won 12 of last 13 SB's. Again, I'm superstitious...

 

[supafly]

3) Belichick will undoubtedly do that thing where he kicks them out of their own locker room. Minnesota would have to use the visitors' locker room.

Someone posted a link in this thread from an NFL source earlier this AM that claimed that Minnesota would not only be able to stay at their home facility and practice, but that they’d also be able to use their own locker room, despite being the visitors.

I had heard the former somewhere else, which forces the AFC opponent to practice at the U of Minnesota, but this was the first I’d heard regarding the latter. I don’t know how credible the info is, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

 

[supafly]

I'm a superstitious guy but here it goes: The Patriots ( If they make it) are the home team. Therefore, they get to decide what color jersey to wear. I think it would be crazy to not go with the whites. They'v won their last two SB's wearing white. Brady has played two of his greatest games ( SB 49 & 51) wearing white. Furthermore, they'v lost their last two SB's wearing blue. Brady has been average in both. Team wearing white has won 12 of last 13 SB's. Again, I'm superstitious...

You’re superstitious (as am I), but Bill Belichick is most definitely not.

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

The best part is that the Pats get the home team locker room.

They're probably similar. Even if they weren't, I'm sure they could get them to be very similar.

However, what if they bug the place..... lol

 

[HawaiianPatsfan]

I definitely think it would be a pro-Vikings crowd. Taking away the need for rooms and flights removes a huge Super Bowl cost. Add in teh Super Bowl fatigue of Pats fans that someone else mentioned. After all, unless you can afford to go to all Super Bowls, why would you choose the one in Minnesota versus Houston and Arizona?

I still would cherish seeing the Pats play the Vikings in the Super Bowl. I want to add another team to our list of Super Bowl conquests, so I'll be rooting for the Vikes/Saints winner to win the NFC.

You do know that the majority of the tickets are already accounted for by things like corporate sales and sponsorships right? Yes, they take care of employees of things like their partnerships. They give you tickets, but you still have to pay for them. Yes, sometimes people resell them, but its not a large number of tickets, to where it would stick out or influence the game. Most of the people go. Teams only get a limited lotted amount of tickets for fans, and extra 3-5k vikings in a stadium of 66k isnt that big of a difference.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'm a superstitious guy but here it goes: The Patriots ( If they make it) are the home team. Therefore, they get to decide what color jersey to wear. I think it would be crazy to not go with the whites. They'v won their last two SB's wearing white. Brady has played two of his greatest games ( SB 49 & 51) wearing white. Furthermore, they'v lost their last two SB's wearing blue. Brady has been average in both. Team wearing white has won 12 of last 13 SB's. Again, I'm superstitious...

I'm all on board with sensible arguments predicated on superstition, weird trends and illogical "just feels right" intuitions.

 

[Wax Frog]

How about the red throwback jerseys?

It might not be suited to the SB, but having the players wear throwback unis would be enough to get me to glance at the Pro Bowl for a few minutes...

 

[aluminum seats]

I’m picking Pats vs the field all day everyday.

Just a side note: The Vikings D has ONLY given up 51 3rd down conversions all season!
Weak QBs or not, that’s damn impressive. They match up very well with us defensively.

That is a pretty impressive stat, actually. Anyone know where that ranks historically?

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

Vikes at home for SB52 is a scalper's dream. Vikings fans thirsty to attend a SB get to avoid having airfare and hotel costs? I think the crowd tilts heavily towards them.

And I also would love the Pats to crush their souls. I think Brady wants to in particular.

Regards,
Chris

 

[IllegalContact]

I just watched the Brady motivational video while punching myself in the nuts.....were good.....going to win regardless of who or where we play

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

Vikes at home for SB52 is a scalper's dream. Vikings fans thirsty to attend a SB get to avoid having airfare and hotel costs? I think the crowd tilts heavily towards them.

And I also would love the Pats to crush their souls. I think Brady wants to in particular.

Regards,
Chris

What's brady record in domes? Isn't it great? I do remember though that shellacking one time by the saints in New Orleans.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

These threads are like “Jacksonville is certain to win out if we lose to the Steelers!” Let’s just see how the pieces fall. If the Steelers win the AFC, then maybe we’d want the Vikings to play them. I would be curious from an oddsmaker standpoint if the Vikings would get a full 3-point advantage or not. I’m sure there is some advantage, but it wouldn’t likely be your raucous home crowd, and all the festivities and hoopla change the dynamic.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

You’re superstitious (as am I), but Bill Belichick is most definitely not.

BB thinks superstitions can bring you bad luck.