The idea of the London games every year makes me feel sick. I don’t usually feel fully ill, as the NFL will send a Jets-Falcons or any Jaguars game across the pond, but this year is different. Roger Goodell decided that it’d be a good idea to have the Vikings and Saints play each other in London. If you’re an NFL fan, you’re aware of some of the great rivalries. Packers-Bears, Steelers-Ravens, Cowboys-Eagles, you catch my drift. While the Vikings-Saints isn’t this historically great and cut throat rivalry, their playoff matchups have built a large distain between the two fan bases the past few years.
Bountygate Kicked Things Off
Back in 2010, the Vikings and Saints squared off in the Superdome for the NFC Championship game. We all know how it unfolded as Favre threw a pick with 14 seconds left and the Saints kicked a game-winning field goal in overtime. What people do forget about is that this game occurred in the midst of Bountygate. The Saints then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams incentivized players to take out opposing players in games and rewarded them with money.
Brett Favre took a beating in this game. He took a lot of hits that would lead to ejections in today’s day and age. When Bountygate was uncovered, Vikings fans were displeased to learn about the initiative and this sparked a rivalry.
The Minneapolis Miracle
Eight years later, the Vikings got revenge. In the 2017-2018 NFC Divisional Round the Saints traveled north to play the Vikings who were led by Case Keenum. Minnesota commanded the game in the first half going up 17-0. Then as a fan, my worst nightmare began to unfold in front of my eyes. The Saints clawed back into the game and took a 24-23 lead. I sat on my couch with my head in my Adrian Peterson jersey ready to cry.
With twenty-five seconds left the Vikings got the ball back and chaos ensued. On the games final play, Stefon Diggs ran a deep out route and Case Keenum delivered a strike. Diggs went up as Marcus Williams aimlessly dove at his legs. He reeled the pass in, noticed there was no one in his vicinity, and took the pass to the crib. Diggs tossed his helmet and U.S. Bank Stadium erupted. That moment revitalized the rivalry and accounted for the highest high I ever felt as a sports fan.
Kyle Rudolph Called Game
So, the Minneapolis Miracle happened. Then the next year, the Saints lost to the Rams on the blown PI call. The next season, the Saints were looking for revenge in the biggest way possible as the Vikings had to travel to NOLA for the Wild Card round. As the first half wrapped up, the Vikings were up 13-10. The Saints then negated a 20-10 deficit by scoring ten unanswered points to force overtime.
Standing between these two squads and a chance to advance to the playoffs now was a dreaded coin flip. Thankfully, my Vikings won the toss, took the ball, and drove the ball into the red zone. On third and goal, Minnesota split Kyle Rudolph out wide and Kirk Cousins found him on a four-yard fade route. Maybe there should have been an OPI call, but I’m not complaining. This Vikings win only added fuel to the fire of this budding rivalry.
Can We Ditch International Games All Together?
I am pretty infuriated about the Vikings and Saints playing overseas and taking away a great game for two die-hard fanbases. In general, I think the NFL should just scrap international games all together. From a business aspect, I understand what the league is trying to do. They want to grow the sport worldwide and try to cash in overseas by selling tickets and merch. However, I don’t see how it’s a win when your most enthusiastic fans hate the idea. Along with the fans loathing the international games, the players despise the facet of traveling across the pond.
In 2017, former Browns wideout Kenny Britt spoke about the London experience. “I hated the flight, I hated us being there so long, I hated the flight back. I hated the food. You can ask my wife the same thing, and she’ll give you the same answer.” To go with players hatred of the travel to London, there have been a handful of incidents that occurred when teams play there. In 2018, four Jaguars players were arrested for skipping out on their tab at a club. The year prior, Saints running back Mark Ingram claimed that a club denied him and his teammates access because they were “too urban”.
While it may feel like I’m bashing mainly the London games, this sentiment reflects how I feel on all international games. Whether the NFL is playing in Munich, London, Mexico City, or Mars, I hate the idea of it. I hate it even more, though, because my favorite team has to make the trek out of the states for the third time.
