Curious?  Curious how the crowd will react to the return of Daunte Culpepper?  Curious how the crowd will react to poor coaching and game time decisions from Brad Childress?  Curious how all those fans dressed as blue seats (thanks WCCO and Miller for the 101st “sellout”) will make all that noise?  Me too.

There are a couple of things that Vikings fans have been focused on after last week’s humiliating drumming at the hands of the Green Bay Packers.  First is the Vikings true star, Adrian Peterson’s knee.  After initial reports and speculation, it looks like a class 2+ sprain/tear of his right LCL with a prognosis of returning to play possibly by the Giants game.  He won’t be fully healed for 6 to 10 weeks, but should be strong enough to go between now and then, playing with a special brace, and do no further damage.  At least that is what the experts, Dr. James Andrews, the world’s foremost authority on sports injuries said.  The team will continue to evaluate it week to week.  Not sustaining greater damage to AP’s knee was good news for the franchise and their star player, plus it should keep All Day on track for the Rookie of the Year award and make Eric Dickerson a little nervous about his records.

Secondly, the topic on all fans lips and in the national press, is how Brad Childress still is a head coach.  References and comparisons to Les Steckel and the 1984 season abound.  We are 3-6 heading into week 11 and no noticeable improvement in sight.  There is plenty of talented players on the squad, but through what appears to be mismanagement and lack of adjustments the games keep slipping away.  Slipping away is the fan’s enthusiasm to see the team play right along with each effort.  This Game against a rebuilding 2-7 Raiders just may be the final case in point.

The Raiders defense is the cure for what ails most teams.  They are ranked 29th against the run, 30th against the pass and 29th overall.  Chester Taylor who has regained his starting spot while Adrian heals, should have plenty of opportunities for a good day.  

Tarvaris Jackson has already been named the starter and has all of the usual suspects to throw to with Sidney Rice the only one on the injury report.  He is nursing a sore hamstring but will play.  This could be a very good game for Tarvaris to continue his education.

On the opposite side of the ball, we can look forward to a fired up Daunte Culpepper coming at our D with one thing in mind, total embarrassment of them in front of the Minnesota coach and owner that traded him away two years ago.  The Vikings defense will have to take a “Not in my house” approach to keep Daunte from getting his “Roll On”.  They will focus on pressure, shutting down his reads, and going for the ball.  DC’s small hands have earned him a reputation as a fumbler, so every tackle, the defender will be looking to knock the ball out.  Couple that and Culpepper’s problem with short and intermediate passes that are part of Kiffin’s system, and the defense could be in for a stellar day and some scoring of their own.

Everything points to an easy Viking win, even with Peterson sidelined, so this is what the Doctor prescribed… a win.

SKOL VIKINGS!