Playoffs!

If you remember from my post back in October (titled "a strange transformation"), my husband and I, for the first time in our lives, have become fans of NFL football. And we're not only supporting one team, but two - the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets.

And can you believe this - both of our teams are in the playoffs! And they're both playing today! So at 1:00 today we'll be wearing our Vikings apparel, cheering them on against the Cowboys, and then after that game is over we'll quickly change into our Jets apparel, and start rooting for them to beat the Chargers!!

I know there are probably some mathematical statistics that could be calculated to determine the odds of this situation, but I have to think it's a pretty rare occurence. I mean, consider the following:
1) it's our first year following NFL football
2) there are 32 teams in the NFL - 16 in each conference
3) we become fans of one team in each conference
4) both teams make their conference playoffs
5) both teams play on the same day

And I'd say most people would agree that the Jets being in the playoffs is kind of surprising. (Even in October I was saying I didn't expect them to make it!) With a rookie coach and a rookie quarterback, they weren't exactly a well-oiled machine. However, they're certainly looking more like that now, as the season has unfolded.

As for the Vikings, well, I don't think it's as much of a surprise that they're in the playoffs, with quarterback Brett Favre at the helm. However, their performance in December kind of fizzled a little, although they did do well in the last game they played.

However, despite what others may have thought and predicted, both the Vikings and the Jets are getting ready to play today, in really big games. And I think they both have very tough opponents to face. The Vikings got a week off to rest and recharge, which will hopefully help them, along with their home-field advantage. On the other hand, the Jets have not had a break, but it seems like for them that might be a good thing, because they've been building momentum and getting better each week. Of course all this could be subjective wishful thinking of a fan. :-)

I certainly hope both teams win, but I don't think it's guaranteed for either of them. So It's going to be quite a tense afternoon in our household today!!