Volume 6,  Amy Boucher Pye, Week 15 2022: Minnesota Vikings vs. The Colts

 

I’m a diehard Vikings fan, having grown up in Minnesota. You ask how did I spend my first anniversary in England? By dragging my new husband to a pub in Norfolk to watch the NFC title game against the Falcons. (This was 1999 and way before Gamepass. And yes, that was heartbreak for the Vikes.) 

But fast forward to the first half of the Vikings/Colts game and out of pain I turned to Facebook, responding to people’s suggestions of what Christmas cookies to make. Giving my whole attention to the comedy of errors in that first half was just too hard. 

London meet up

We were at Passyunk, Waterloo, watching with some of the UK and Ireland Vikings’ fans. We moaned and one threatened to leave, but we stayed, some perhaps drinking more than others as the shocking happenings just kept on happening. Blocked punt for a return? Fumble by Cook for a turnover? Pick 6? You name it. We seemed to hand them the game on a plate. 33-0 at the half. 

You’ve heard the stats. We sighed and wondered how we’d endure yet another slaughtering. Who are these Vikings? Yes, they beat the Bills amazingly in a game to remember. And had so many one-score wins. But the Eagles and the Cowboys trounced on them in truly shocking wins. Would we experience another toe-curling loss?

In Cousins we (I) believe 

Reader, they failed us not. Cousins (I’ve always been a believer) passed and passed and passed some more. We saw some beauties out of Osborn, Thielen, Hockenson, and of course the number one receiver Jefferson. And the 64-catch and run by Cook? Well, if he has to fumble once or twice to get that kind of speed, we understand. Perhaps what cheered us most, however, was seeing the defense hold the Colts to just a field goal. 

Overtime 

And then we went into OT. Really? More? Could our nerves handle it? We won the toss – amazing! But we didn’t convert and had to give them the ball; surely our defense wouldn’t keep them from scoring, would they? They did! And at the last moment, we thought it might be another case of the yips with Joseph, but through the uprights that ball sailed. 

11-3. You like that? Why yes, I do.

 

Author: Amy Boucher Pye

Editors: Tommy Beauchene, Rich Dawson, Jacqui Melrose, Ella Burt