NFL: Perspectives, Opinions, and a Person's Point of View

Earlier today, I had a bit of a run-in with another football fan. Dressed out in purple, she was obviously pleased with her team's performance. After all, it's not often that you can squeak out a win over a winless team, lose a starting QB, and look forward to going 8-8 and miss the playoffs.

But, as this fan seemed to think, you live for the moment.

She also seemed oblivious to the past, or to anything beyond this season. After all, the Vikings, who came into the NFL at the same time as the Raiders, had lost four Super Bowls. Oakland had won three and lost two.

Minnesota has 393 wins, Oakland 403. Minnesota had Fran Tarkenton, Oakland had Stabler. Go far enough back, Minnesota had guys like Capp and Kramer, Oakland had the likes of Lamonica and Plunkett.

Minnesota had a good run from 1992-2000, reaching the playoffs each year except for the 1995 season. LA, and for the side, Oakland, had a good run from 1982 to 1993, making the playoffs seven times, with one Super Bowl win.

But to this person, the only thing that mattered was now.

Like the NFL Network, pumping it's graphics, music, and bad dancing from Deion, Believe in Now.

Sure, I'm a bit bitter. My team is in shambles. One week, we throttle the Jets, another week, we throttle the Broncos.

Then we get killed by the Falcons and lit up by the Ravens.

But at the same time, I can look back with some pride, at the glory days.

Some teams don't have the luxury, like the Vikings, Bills, and even the early Broncos...all four teams lost four Super Bowls.

At least the Broncos finally got it right, in winning their last two.

But back to the Vikings. Here's a team that hasn't been to a Super Bowl since 1976. And ironic, that was when they ran into the Oakland Raiders.

Looking at these two clubs, both have had their high points, their low points...It's also worth noting, that since the 2000 season, the Vikings have been to the playoffs only once. Oakland, since the 2002 season, has been on a turn called Death Spiral, waiting for Al to die.

Which club, over their history, do you think is better, and why?