Minnesota Vikings: A Collapse Interim Head Coach Frazier Is Thankful For

The Minnesota Vikings' 2010 season has been filled with speculation, controversy, disappointment and new beginnings.

On Saturday Mother Nature added her two cents worth in the form of a crippling blizzard that has left the Vikings homeless.

With the move of the Vikings Giants game to Monday night, and 689 miles due east on Interstate 94, to Ford Field in Detroit.

For many this can be seen as a negative, from ticket holders who are losing a chance to cheer on the Vikings, to the many people employed that have lost the income they would have earned working the game.

Yet for a handful this is a blessing in disguise. On the top of this list is Zygi Wilf, owner of the Minnesota  The 28 year old stadium is definitely showing its age, and Wilf will certainly leverage this loss of a home date and the potential loss of next Monday's game as well, to gain support for a new stadium. 

Another benefactor of this collapse is interim head coach Leslie Frazier. As long as the interim tag remains attached to head coach, he will gladly accept any excuse to explain pending losses.

Sure, Frazier has the Vikings on a two-game winning streak, the only winning streak this season, but with three potential playoff teams on board for the next three games, that winning streak is in jeopardy. 

Here are seven reasons Frazier is thankful that something besides the Vikings has collapsed.

A Loss to the Giants Can Be Blamed On Special Circumstances

Elsa/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - DECEMBER 28: Tarvaris Jackson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings passes under pressure from Fred Robbins #98 of the New York Giants on December 28, 2008 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Giant

Nothing wreaks havoc on a team like the breaking of a routine.

Athletes are known to be some of the most superstitious beings on the planet, and this has certainly changed the routine for the Giants game.

Instead of packing an overnight bag for the one-night stay in Minneapolis, the routine for a home game, now they will have to pack an extra pair of socks and underwear for the two night stay in Detroit.

If the Vikings seem out of sync it will be because of the disruption they endured to get to Monday night.

With Nothing To Play For—Pretend It's the Motor City Bowl

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - DECEMBER 12: People enter Ford Field prior to the start of the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 12, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. Ford Field will host the NFL football game between the New York Gia

At 5-7 there are just too many teams ahead of the Minnesota Vikings to even think about squeaking into the playoffs.

One way Leslie Frazier can use the situation to his benefit is to treat this like a college bowl game on a neutral site.

Detroit has been home to one of the least desirable bowl games there could possibly be—The Motor City Bowl.

Of course, it has been renamed the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, I suspect to prevent some collegians from realizing where they would be playing until the very last minute. Where else would you want to spend the day after Christmas, away from your family and friends, than in Detroit, Michigan?

There Will Be Less People To Boo If Things Turn Bad

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 13: A fan of the Minnesota Vikings cheers on his team against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 13, 2009 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Even though the Vikings will upgrade all tickets holders to the best available seats at Ford Field, don't expect too many Viking's fans to make the 700 mile drive to Detroit for the Monday night game.

On one hand there will not be a home crowd advantage, but the other, there will be less people booing when the Vikings' struggle against the second best defense in the NFL.

At Least the Travel Was Not As Bad As the Giants'

For the New York Giants their path to Monday Night included a few extra turns.

First, in an attempt to beat the weather they moved up their flight to Minneapolis by three hours. 

All this did was cause their flight to be diverted from Minneapolis to Kansas City on Saturday night.

Not only do they get to spend an extra night in a hotel, they get an extra 543 frequent flier miles.

Frazier Will Be Able To Yell the Plays in From the Sidelines

Win McNamee/Getty Images

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Minnesota Vikings Interim Head Coach Leslie Frazier talks to referees from the sideline while playing the Washington Redskins at FedExField November 28, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Vikings won the game 17-13. (Photo by Wi

The lack of a home crowd means the Giants will be able to run their offense without having to use hand signals.

The Vikings are giving away general admission tickets to any fans starting at 8:00 am Monday morning.

With any luck they will be able to add a few thousand people to the crowd.

If any Detroit fans happen to stumble by they just might feel right at home.

It Could Be Deja Vu All Over Again

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Stefan Logan #11 of the Detroit Lions tries to get around A.J. Hawk #50 of the Green Bay Packers on December 12, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 7-3 (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

On Sunday the Detroit Lions hosted the Green Bay Packers.

The home team had nothing to play for while the visiting team was in the hunt to improve their playoff position.

The home team was without their starting quarterback, while the visitors have one of the best in the league.

Sound familiar?

The home team was able to secure a win, albeit an ugly one, a win nonetheless.

Frazier is hoping for a repeat—I'm hoping the backup quarterback part fits in.

It Will Be a Good Warm-Up For the Last Game of the Season

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 26: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings plays against the Detroit Lions during the game at Mall of America Field on September 26, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Vikings close out the season against the Lions at Ford field on January 2nd.

If the Metrodome cannot be repaired in time for the Monday night game against the Chicago Bears on December 20th, there's a chance that game could be moved to Ford Field.

By the time the Vikings play the Lions they will be very familiar with the venue. 

The problem is they just might end up putting on the wrong uniform and come out wearing their home purple.

Finally—One Benefit to the Fans

Nick Laham/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders perform during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Im

With the temperatures expected to plummet to double digits below zero in Minneapolis over the next couple of days, at least it will be warm in the comforts of your own home.

Fans won't have to leave their cars running for three hours while the game is going on to ensure they start after the game.