Mark Craig: In the NFL hype machine, expectations are adjusted every week
Mark Craig, Star Tribune
MINNEAPOLIS — Think back to the morning of Sept. 12.
That’s 45 days ago for humankind, but an eternity for the shifting of perceptions for the NFL’s never-ending hyperbole merry-go-round.
That morning, the Vikings were favored by 3 points at Cincinnati.
Remember the vibe? Remember how the Purple absolutely had to win that day and the following week at Arizona because these were deemed beatable opponents to be disposed of before the unbeatable Seahawks arrived at U.S. Bank Stadium?
The Bengals were 4-11-1 a year ago and picked to finish last in the AFC North. The Cardinals had missed the playoffs and were, at best, the third-best team in the NFC West.
Welp, here we are, 45 days later and the teams currently holding the top seeds in the AFC and NFC are … the Bengals and the Cardinals.
The Vikings coulda, shoulda beat them both, but didn’t. Then they beat the Seahawks, 30-17. And yet many of us keep on counting wins and losses long before they’re won or lost.
The Vikings are 3-3. We’ve been told many times that their next five games — Dallas, at Baltimore, at the Chargers, Green Bay and at San Francisco – are so B-R-U-T-A-L that going 2-3 should be celebrated.
How can anyone profess to know this? Other than basically every week, when have we all been surprised that the past couldn’t predict the present?
Forty-five days ago, we thought the Chiefs were still great, Seattle was good and San Francisco would be great again. Today, they’re all just bad.
In Week 4, Tennessee was a 7 1/2-point favorite at the Jets. The Titans lost.
In Weeks 6-7, Tennessee was an underdog at home against the Bills and Chiefs. Then, in a six-day span, the Titans outscored the Bills, 34-31, and shut down Patrick Mahomes, 27-3.
After Sunday’s win against the Chiefs, a Titans team that a month ago gave the Jets their only win, was being asked about winning the AFC and going to the Super Bowl.
“They’re not handing out Lombardi trophies in the middle of the season,” Titans safety Kevin Byard warned reporters.
Meanwhile, in Baltimore, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow delivered one of the greatest eye rolls in the history of NFL interviews when asked to respond to former NFL quarterback-turned-analyst Phil Simms saying Burrow “is the modern-day Joe Montana” a month after Bengals running back Joe Mixon had compared rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase to Jerry Rice.
“Let’s relax,” Burrow said. “Let’s relax with all that. Let me be me.”
Funny how 45 days ago Burrow was the rusty, inexperienced guy with two NFL wins for a league laughingstock. He hadn’t played since tearing an ACL in the 10th game of his rookie season. His top target, Chase, couldn’t catch a darn thing in the preseason.
Together, 45 days ago, they were supposed to be comfort food for a restocked Vikings team that was healthy again.
Sunday, Burrow threw for 416 yards — including 201 to immediate-All-Pro-in-the-making Chase — to put a 41-17 beatdown on a team that had sacked him seven times a year ago in Baltimore.
Monday, Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill tried to get reporters to believe he “had no idea who we play after the Cowboys” until informed of the supposed Murder’s Row that awaits the next five weeks.
He knows the schedule. They all do, including coach Mike Zimmer.
Things could go any number of ways. Good, bad or winless.
The Cowboys have won five straight and are coming off a bye as well. But Dak Prescott is nursing a calf injury, and crowd noise will be a huge factor in prime time on Halloween night.
The Ravens are good. But they also needed a record 66-yard field goal to beat the Lions, and just got destroyed by a team that needed overtime to beat the Vikings.
The Chargers are good. But the Ravens went there and beat them 34-6 a week before giving up 41 to the Bengals.
The Packers are better than good, going 13-1 within the division under Matt LaFleur. But it was the Vikings who beat them at Lambeau Field while using seven rookie defenders a year ago.
As for the 49ers, they’ve lost four straight. They’re 0-3 at home. And, basically, they’re nowhere near as good as everyone perceived them to be when this merry-go-round of hyperbole hit regular-season mode 45 days ago.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ethan Miller
The cost to attend an NFL game is the most expensive among the major four sports leagues with an average cost of $157.07. The cheapest NFL team to watch live is the Cincinnati Bengals with an average cost of $105.69. Here are the five most expensive.
Ethan Miller
The cost to attend an NFL game is the most expensive among the major four sports leagues with an average cost of $157.07. The cheapest NFL team to watch live is the Cincinnati Bengals with an average cost of $105.69. Here are the five most expensive.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ethan Miller
The Las Vegas Raiders moved into Allegiant Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. Among NFL teams, the Raiders have the most expensive general admission ticket ($153.47), most expensive beer ($13) and most expensive hot dogs ($7.50).
Ethan Miller
The Las Vegas Raiders moved into Allegiant Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. Among NFL teams, the Raiders have the most expensive general admission ticket ($153.47), most expensive beer ($13) and most expensive hot dogs ($7.50).
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Daniel Shirey
Levi's Stadium opened in 2014. To attend a San Francisco 49ers game is the second-most expensive among NFL teams and third-most expensive among all four major sports leagues.
Daniel Shirey
Levi's Stadium opened in 2014. To attend a San Francisco 49ers game is the second-most expensive among NFL teams and third-most expensive among all four major sports leagues.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Tom Pennington
The parking at AT&T Stadium is the most expensive of all the four major sports leagues. It costs more for parking at a Dallas Cowboys game ($75) than attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game ($70.66).
Tom Pennington
The parking at AT&T Stadium is the most expensive of all the four major sports leagues. It costs more for parking at a Dallas Cowboys game ($75) than attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game ($70.66).
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Jayne Kamin-Oncea
The Los Angeles Rams moved into SoFi Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. The Rams sell the most expensive hot dogs among NFL teams with an average price of $7.50.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea
The Los Angeles Rams moved into SoFi Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. The Rams sell the most expensive hot dogs among NFL teams with an average price of $7.50.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Dylan Buell
The Green Bay Packers are the only franchise owned by stockholders. The average price for a Green Bay Packers fan to attend a game at Lambeau Field with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $192.93.
Dylan Buell
The Green Bay Packers are the only franchise owned by stockholders. The average price for a Green Bay Packers fan to attend a game at Lambeau Field with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $192.93.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Alex Goodlett
An average New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden will cost fans $260.38, the most expensive of all of the four major sports leagues. Among NBA teams, the Knicks have the most expensive general admission tickets ($180.78), most expensive parking ($45) and most expensive hot dog ($8.50).
Alex Goodlett
An average New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden will cost fans $260.38, the most expensive of all of the four major sports leagues. Among NBA teams, the Knicks have the most expensive general admission tickets ($180.78), most expensive parking ($45) and most expensive hot dog ($8.50).
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ezra Shaw
The Golden State Warriors moved into Chase Center before the 2019-20 season and became the second-most expensive NBA game to attend with an average cost of $230.30. The Warriors sell the most expensive hot dogs in the NBA with an average cost of $8.50.
Ezra Shaw
The Golden State Warriors moved into Chase Center before the 2019-20 season and became the second-most expensive NBA game to attend with an average cost of $230.30. The Warriors sell the most expensive hot dogs in the NBA with an average cost of $8.50.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Sean M. Haffey
It's no surprise that attending a Los Angeles Lakers game is expensive. The average cost for Lakers fans to attend a game at Staple Center with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $190.76.
Sean M. Haffey
It's no surprise that attending a Los Angeles Lakers game is expensive. The average cost for Lakers fans to attend a game at Staple Center with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $190.76.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Elsa
The TD Garden has been the home of the Boston Celtics since 1995. The average price for a Boston Celtics fan to attend a game at TD Garden with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $167.16.
Elsa
The TD Garden has been the home of the Boston Celtics since 1995. The average price for a Boston Celtics fan to attend a game at TD Garden with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $167.16.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs with a 22-43 record during the 2019-20 season, the United Center was still the fifth-most expensive NBA stadium to attend a game with an average cost of $154.01.
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs with a 22-43 record during the 2019-20 season, the United Center was still the fifth-most expensive NBA stadium to attend a game with an average cost of $154.01.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Adam Glanzman
While it's not as cheap as the average price to attend an MLB game, an NHL game is still reasonable compared to an NFL or NBA game. The average cost for a NHL game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $114.47.
Adam Glanzman
While it's not as cheap as the average price to attend an MLB game, an NHL game is still reasonable compared to an NFL or NBA game. The average cost for a NHL game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $114.47.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Bruce Bennett
Even though an average New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden isn't as expensive as a New York Knicks game, it's still the most expensive game to attend in the NHL with an average cost of $182.43. The Rangers also sell the most expensive beer in the league, which will set a fan back $15.
Bruce Bennett
Even though an average New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden isn't as expensive as a New York Knicks game, it's still the most expensive game to attend in the NHL with an average cost of $182.43. The Rangers also sell the most expensive beer in the league, which will set a fan back $15.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Bruce Bennett
The parking at TD Garden for a Boston Bruins game will cost an average of $29, the most expensive among NHL teams.Including a ticket, two beers, a hot dog and the parking, a Bruins game will cost an average of $162.36.
Bruce Bennett
The parking at TD Garden for a Boston Bruins game will cost an average of $29, the most expensive among NHL teams.Including a ticket, two beers, a hot dog and the parking, a Bruins game will cost an average of $162.36.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Claus Andersen
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most popular hockey team in Canada, and the ticket prices prove it. Scotiabank Arena offers the most expensive general admissions ticket in the NHL with an average ticket costing $128.69.
Claus Andersen
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most popular hockey team in Canada, and the ticket prices prove it. Scotiabank Arena offers the most expensive general admissions ticket in the NHL with an average ticket costing $128.69.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division during the 2019-20 season, the United Center still sets a fan back $153.63 to attend an NHL game.
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division during the 2019-20 season, the United Center still sets a fan back $153.63 to attend an NHL game.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ethan Miller
The newest addition to the NHL is the Las Vegas Golden Knights and T-Mobile Arena where the average price to attend a game is $153.36. The Golden Knights are home to the most expensive hot dog in the NHL, which will cost a fan $7.
Ethan Miller
The newest addition to the NHL is the Las Vegas Golden Knights and T-Mobile Arena where the average price to attend a game is $153.36. The Golden Knights are home to the most expensive hot dog in the NHL, which will cost a fan $7.
Mark Craig: In the NFL hype machine, expectations are adjusted every week
Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America/TNS
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images/TNS)
Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America/TNS
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images/TNS)
