Jason’s Blog: Preseason means zip

Posted By: Jason Iacovino

The Minnesota Vikings are 3-0 this preseason. What does that mean?

Absolutely nothing.

Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who is quickly becoming a fan favorite to be the starter in Week 1, has looked great in these games. What does that mean?

Absolutely nothing.

The Vikings defense, which was near the bottom of the NFL last year in yards allowed, currently ranks 3rd in points allowed (15.3 points per game) and 8th in total yards allowed (291 yards per game) this preseason.  What does this mean?

Absolutely nothing.

Look, you can't fault Vikings fans for getting excited over what has transpired in the most artificial exhibition concocted by any major professional sport (i.e. the NFL preseason), as their team hasn't won a playoff game since 2009.  At the same time, we would be doing ourselves a disservice if we didn't point out the obvious--these games literally have no value in predicting what to expect in the upcoming season.

Zero. zilch. none.

To be sure, the men who are battling to earn a roster spot on the NFL's laughably small 53-player limit are playing hard.  I submit that if the number was increased to 70 (A college roster includes up to 105 players), the preseason would be deemed wholly irrelevant and mercifully would be cut to two games so we as fans can cut to the chase and not go running around in circles for a month over games that mean nothing.

This would also cut down on the potential for serious injuries to occur during these meaningless games.  For example, it was announced over the weekend that St. Louis' starting quarterback, Sam Bradford, is out for the year with an ACL tear suffered during a preseason game.

Those who bleed the darkest color Purple would take issue with what I am saying.  They would point out that big plays made by the likes of Corderelle Patterson, Kyle Rudolph, and key members of the Vikings defense like Chad Greenway and Xavier Rhodes are a sign that the Vikes are on their way to dramatically improving their 5-10-1 record of a year ago.  Rudolph himself tweeted after Saturday's win in Kansas City that even though it's just the preseason, winning is contagious. 

Point taken, but I'll side with Vegas on this issue, who still has Minnesota's over / under for total wins in 2014 at 6.  

Think of it this way--I've been a Vikings fan for close to 30 years...I suspect many who are reading this have been Vikes fans for at least that long.  Do you honestly think what happened at Arrowhead Stadium last Saturday night has any remote resemblence to what might happen if Minnesota were to play a regular season game on the road, on grass, in front of 76,000 of the most passionate fans in the NFL?

I'm not saying the Vikes can't beat the Chiefs (a playoff team in 2013), even on the road. What I'm saying is if the game mattered, I highly doubt the Chiefs would have the number "5" under the heading "score" after three quarters.  Even the most optimistic Vikes fans among you have to nod your head in agreement with that.

I am as excited about the upcoming football season as the next guy or gal.  Weeks and weeks of practices and fake games have a tendency to wear on fans.  The Twins have done their part in getting us ready for football sooner than later.  On the one hand, you are desparate to see a game that actually matters, on the other hand, your passion can drive you to pretend like these preseason games are real. After all, they wear the same uniforms, play in the same stadiums, and the games are on TV...it has to be real, right?

I urge you to resist the temptation of assuming the great start posted by the Vikings has any relevance whatsoever.  Vegas' over / under on Minnesota's win total is still 6 (They don't think the Vikes will match what the Dolphins did in 1972).  For the record, I think the number is low.  If I were to place a bet on this, I would bet the over. 

I think Matt Cassell is going to win games with this offense.  I still don't understand why so many fans are urging the team plug Bridgewater in from the beginning.  Last year, the turning point of Minnesota's season came early--the Vikes needed to start 2-1 with games at Detroit, at Chicago, and home vs. Cleveland.  Instead, they went 0-3 and allowed a rookie quarterback for the Browns to run rough shot on them at the Metrodome.  Then Cassell led them to victory over Pittsburgh in London. 

Still, they gave Cassell only 6 starts in 2013.  That stubborn decision spelled game over in terms of their chances of making the playoffs, which was kind of tragic considering Aaron Rodgers was injured for the entire second half of the season. 

This year the Vikes start at St. Louis, home vs. New England, at New Orleans, and home vs. Atlanta before they go to Lambeau for a Thursday night game on Oct. 2.  Many are agruing this is a brutal schedule to start the season.  I argue they should beat St. Louis and Atlanta, meaning they would be 2-2 when they play they play their first divisional game.  That's not bad...that's an optimistic outlook.  I don't think the Packers, Bears, or Lions are as great as others say. I expect Minnesota to be in the mix for an NFC playoff spot.

I just don't base this opinion on a 3-0 preseason. It means absolutely nothing.

Jason Iacovino can be heard Tuesdays and Fridays on KRFO-AM 1390 at 3:50 p.m. Leave a comment below and follow him on Twitter @JasonIacovino.