Editing Episode 405

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{{EpisodeInfobox
| number      = 405
| title       = Waiting for a Win
| hosts       = Arif Hasan, James Pogatshnik
| guests      = Alex Kozora (Steelers Depot)
| type        = Game Review
}}

'''Norse Code Episode 405: Waiting for a Win''' was a game review episode focusing on the Vikings' loss to the Detroit Lions.

== Overview ==
The episode reviewed the Vikings' disappointing loss to the Lions and previewed the upcoming matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The hosts addressed listener frustration with the team's performance and coaching decisions throughout the season.

== Segments ==
; Opening : Lions game review and reaction
; Steelers Preview : Guest segment with Alex Kozora from Steelers Depot
; Mailbag : Extensive listener questions covering team philosophy, coaching, and fan psychology

== Mailbag Questions ==
* Christian - When you discount all points scored by either team in the last two minutes of the first half from all Vikings games this season, the Vikings are 10-2 and currently the best team in the NFL. Why is everyone so mad about a team that is clearly awesome 96% of the time?
* Damian Barrett - How good would we be playing if we had a defensively minded head coach? Does James feel a tinge of disappointment that the 185 points scored by his kickers ultimately count for nothing given he was playing a forfeited opponent or is it just another reason for him to love the hell league?
* Kenneth Allen - Do you know anything about Udoh as a person? Anything which might make me hate him less? Does he foster kittens or feed starving children or anything? A significant part of Vikings Twitter is doing the "it's not Cousins' fault, he is actually playing really well" dance. Obviously a majority of the blame for the loss falls elsewhere, but do you think it's accurate to say Cousins played well yesterday?
* Jeremy - Would like Arif's thoughts on 2 point conversion philosophy. When is the right time? Is there really a chart that coaches leverage or is it following a gut feeling. Also, if we kicked all 3 XPs, Detroit would have scored the same TD, converted 2 pt conv and still won, right?
* Dr. Aron Matson - Are we in the darkest timeline? If the Vikings were to tear it all down in the offseason, would the look to trade Dalvin Cook as well to not have so much cap space locked up by a running back?
* Rahul - Is it me or has Zimmer exceedingly failed when his defense has to get a stop at the end of the game? Not just this week but in general during his tenure?
* Oli Udo Noodle Stan - How and why will the Vikings hire Nate Hackett as new HC who will then bring Rodgers with him in a rebuild/reload effort, keeping Rick and setting the Vikings up to lose in the NFC Championship
* Bryan Jellerson - With our seasonal "why do I root for this team?" style loss out of the way, are all our other losses upgraded back to "moral victory" status?
* Nolan Kehler - After an exciting Vanier Cup capped off another fabulous and unrivalled college football season, it needs to be asked: which Canadian school is the equivalent of James Madison? Also: why will our Bombers win the Grey Cup this weekend and how will we celebrate this inevitable victory?
* Foo - What actually is Cousins future in the league going to be? I'm not convinced anyone thinks he's going to get them over the hump so is he just going to be a more timid Fitzpatrick who has a new team every year?
* Justin Fields Apologist - My dad has not kept up with the NFL for like 2-3 years, and will likely be watching TNF with me this week. How can I possibly explain the Vikings season to him without looking like Charlie talking about Pepe Silvia?
* Kyle Slaybee - For Arif's Therapy Corner: The Vikings ineptitude helped me get through a depressive episode. Is my enjoyment at their failure a healthy coping mechanism? Which stat is least surprising: Adrian Peterson averaging 1.5 ypc on double digit touches or that AP had a fumble and a touchdown in his first game with Seattle?
* Beef Brewski - For Arif's headhunting corner: Assuming Zimmer goes after the season, how would you sell a rapidly aging, injury-prone team with cap issues to a prospective coach or GM?
* Bishop Sycamore Alumnist - For Arif's Nihilism corner, does any of this even matter anymore?
* Kurt Marsh - I honestly watch the games now so I can keep up with the podcast. My domestic partnership with the Vikings is at an all time low. I thought a new tv would spice things up for us but it's just not happening. How do I keep the fire alive when I'm putting in all this time and effort just to be disappointed?
* Alex - Question for Arif's rebuilding corner: Why does this team always hurt us and should everyone try to start over next off-season?
* Dylan - For Arif's bread baking corner: Why does my bread keep developing cracks? I made Japanese milk buns last week and I made a bagel loaf today, and they both have the same problem with cracking.

== Guests ==
Alex Kozora from Steelers Depot joined to preview the Vikings-Steelers Thursday Night Football matchup.

== Key Bits & Lore ==
* Hell League discussion regarding James' kicker scoring in a forfeited matchup
* Don from Ohio question about Mike Zimmer reality show
* Debate between James and listener about worst loss of the Zimmer era - Detroit loss vs 2018 Buffalo loss
* Reference to Dusty's appearance on Norse Code watch along with Benjamin Button disease joke

== Production Notes ==
* Audio cleanup noted at 1:28
* Static issues noted at various timestamps: 71:50, 92:38, 106:43
* Audio problems at 1:13 ("can't hear")

[[Category:Episodes]]
[[Category:Season 2022]]

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