Page 40 - AM231004

40 SPORTS AWEMainta Diaranson, 4 October 2023

Minnesota’s Playoff Curses:

Vikings vs. Twins - Who’s the Real Victim of Fate?

IN the land of 10,000 lakes, where
sports hold a special place in the
hearts of its residents, two teams often

find themselves at the center of discus-
sions about curses and heartbreak: the
Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota
Twins. As the Twins gear up for the

playoffs at Target Field and the Vikings
navigate heightened expectations
following their 13-win 2022 season,
the debate rages on: who is truly the

most cursed?

Vikings: Decades of
Super Bowl Dreams Deferred

Vikings fans can tell you tales of heart-
break that span generations. Since
their inception in 1961, they have been
chasing the elusive Super Bowl victory.

In fact, they are one of 12 NFL teams
that have never won a Super Bowl.
backs. A Long List of Playoff Misfortune
They’ve played in multiple Super Bowls From Joe Mauer’s early-season knee

but have yet to claim the Lombardi 1998, a season of promise, ended injury in 2004 to Justin Morneau’s
Trophy. This puts them in the unfortu- in a surprising loss at home to Chris playoff absences due to back prob-
nate company of teams like the Buffalo Chandler and the Atlanta Falcons. lems and concussions, the Twins have
Bills, tied for the most Super Bowl endured their share of health-related

losses without a title, with four to their Twins: Winning Titles setbacks.
name. But Losing Streaks
On the other side of the spectrum, the Star players like Miguel Sanó and Byron
But it’s not just the Super Bowl. The Minnesota Twins have tasted World Buxton have been sidelined in crucial

Vikings’ NFC championship game Series glory, clinching titles in 1987 moments, and the 2023 playoffs bring
losses are etched in the annals of NFL and 1991. After an 11-year playoff a fresh wave of injury concerns with
history. drought, they made a triumphant Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Royce
return, advancing to the American Lewis facing uncertainties.

In recent years, their hopes were League Championship Series in 2002.
dashed in dramatic fashion: On the surface, their resume might In this duel of misery, it’s clear that
In 2017, they scored the first touch- seem envy-worthy. both teams have faced their fair share
down against the Eagles but were of adversity. The Vikings may have

outscored 38-0 for the remainder of But it’s the playoff pain that sets them agonizing defeats on their record, but
the game. apart. Since their captivating 2002 the Twins, with their playoff losing
playoff run, the Twins have experienced streak and a penchant for unfortu-
2009 witnessed an ill-fated 12th man a remarkable losing streak, drop- nate injuries, seem to have become a

on the field penalty, leading to an inter- ping 18 straight playoff games. Rarely voodoo doll pierced like a pincushion.
ception and an overtime loss to the have they fielded their best team when In this dubious competition, it appears
Saints instead of a Super Bowl berth. October rolls around. Injuries, unfor- that the Twins bear the heavier burden
2000 saw a demoralizing 41-0 defeat tunate calls (remember Phil Cuzzi?), of playoff curses, while the Vikings

to the New York Giants, a far cry from and collapses have haunted their post- might just need to count their offensive
Hall of Fame coaches and quarter- season dreams. players before taking the field.