Minnesota

Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers Featured In Week 15 Prime Time

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2024

Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers Featured In Week 15 Prime Time

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has had a lot to smile about recently. (AP Photo/Stacy … [+] Bengs)

Two of the NFL’s most competitive divisions — the NFC North and the NFC West — will be featured on prime time in Week 15.

The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are attempting to catch Super Bowl favorite the Detroit Lions in the NFC North, which what has played out as the best division in the league.

Green Bay (9-4) visits AFC West leader the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) in the featured game Sunday night, and by then, the Seahawks may have a better feel for their postseason fate.

NFC West contenders the Los Angeles Rams (7-6) and San Francisco 49ers (6-7) will meet in the Bay Area on Thursday. Both they and the Arizona Cardinals (6-7) are alive for the division title, although Seattle took a major step forward by beating the Cardinals twice in the last three weeks.

Matthew Stafford led the Los Angeles Rams to their 44-42 victory over Buffalo last week. (Photo by … [+] Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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The Vikings (11-2) will play host to NFC North rival the Chicago Bears (4-9), who have seven games in a row and dismissed head coach Matt Eberflus two weeks ago, in one of two games Monday night.

NFC South contender the Atlanta Falcons (6-7) will meet the disheveled Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) also Monday. Both have quarterback issues.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Los Angeles Rams (7-6) at San Francisco 49ers (6-7)

How to watch: Prime VIdeo, 8:15 pm ET

Key matchup: Matt Stafford vs 49ers D

Early line: 49ers -3

Rams receiver Puka Nacua hurdled into the end zone in the victory over Buffalo. (AP Photo/Kyusung … [+] Gong)

The Rams had a statement victory the last time out, when Stafford threw 320 yards and two touchdowns in a 44-42 victory over the Buffalo Bills, a top Super Bowl contender. Puka Nacua, whose early-season absence was a factor in their slow start, made 12 catches for 162 yards and one touchdown and also rushed for a score.

Kyren Williams rushed for two touchdowns and the Rams dominated time of possession to beat the Bills, but they need to do something about a defense that was shredded by MVP Josh Allen, who was the first player in league history with three passing and three rushing touchdowns in the same game. The Rams rank 27th in total defense.

Isaac Guerendo ran away from the CHicago Bears last week. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

The 49ers have spent the season staggered by a host of skill position injuries that have claimed their top two running backs and their top wide receiver, although they still rank fourth in the league in total offense thanks to Kyle Shanahan’s schemes. Now All-Pro tackle Trent Williams is out and No. 3 running back Isaac Guerendo is questionable for the Rams. Guerendo had 78 yards and two touchdowns against the Bears last week.

The Rams have arguably the easiest remaining schedule among AFC West contenders, with a road game at the New York Jets and home game against Arizona and Seattle.

Josh Jacobs has eight touchdowns in the last four games, including three against Detroit last week. … [+] (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

SUNDAY NIGHT

Green Bay Packers (9-4) at Seattle Seahawks (8-5)

How to watch: NBC/Peacock, 8:20 pm ET

Key matchup: Josh Jacobs vs Seattle D line

Early line: Packers -2 1/2

Green Bay is looking to recover from a 34-31 loss to Detroit that dropped it three games behind the Lions, a game that was decided by a field goal on the final play but was not as close statistically as the final score would indicate. The Lions had a 12-minute advantage in time of possession advantage and converted on four of five fourth-down attempts while completing a sweep of the season series.

Leonard Williams leads the Seattle Seahawks with seven sacks. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Halfback Jacobs continues to be a force near the goal line. He had three rushing touchdowns against the Lions, his second three-score game in three weeks, and has eight touchdowns in the last four games.

Seattle has won four in a row to take semblance of control in the division, and its defense has played a big part. Defensive end Leonard Williams has seven sacks, 4 1/2 in the last three weeks, and the Seahawks have eight takeaways during their winning streak and 11 in the last seven games. It helps that quarterback Geno Smith has curbed his tendency to make ill-advised throws.

Justin Jefferson (18) and Jordan Addison had two touchdown receptions apiece against Atlanta a week … [+] ago. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

MONDAY NIGHT

Chicago Bears (4-9) at Minnesota Vikings (11-2)

How to watch: ABC/ESPN+, 8 pm ET

Key matchup: Sam Darnold vs Bears D

Early line: Vikings -7

The quarterback matchup — Darnold vs. Caleb Williams — represents the season in microcosm for these two, who moving in completely opposite directions. Darnold, the starter only because 2024 first-round draft choice J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee in injury in preseason, torched Atlanta with 347 yards and five touchdown in a 42-21 victory last week. He has 11 touchdowns in the last for games. Darnold’s 108.1 passer rating is third behind Lamar Jackson and Jared Goff.

Wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison have combined for 1,878 yards and 14 touchdowns, seven apiece.

Caleb Williams has been sacked 36 times during Chicago’s seven-game losing streak. (AP Photo/Scot … [+] Tucker)

Williams, the No. 1 overall draftee, has been up-and-down in his first season as the Bears have fallen out of contention after a 4-2 start. He has seemed at times too timid with the ball — no interceptions but 36 sacks during the seven-game losing streak that began with an excruciating 18-15 Hail Mary loss in Washington on Oct. 27.

He had two 300-yard games in the first five and had a breakout four-score game in a 35-16 victory over Jacksonville in Week 6, but — like the team — has stalled somewhat since.

It has been a puzzling four weeks for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins. (AP Photo/Abbie … [+] Parr)

MONDAY NIGHT

Atlanta Falcons (6-7) at Los Angeles Raiders (2-11)

How to watch: ESPN, 8:30 pm ET

Key matchup: Kirk Cousins vs Raiders D

Early line: Falcons -3 1/2

Atlanta quarterback Cousins has regressed during a four-game losing streak that has cost the Falcons control of the weak NFC South. Cousins had thrown eight interceptions and no touchdowns during the run, leading some to wonder if rookie No. 1 draftee Michael Penix might be seen sooner rather than later.

Quarterback Aidan O’Connell was knocked out of the Raiders’ loss to Tampa Bay last week. (AP … [+] Photo/Jason Behnken)

The Falcons have scored 57 points in their last four games.

The Raiders returned to quarterback Aidan O’Connell in their 28-13 loss to Tampa Bay last week, but O’Connell was knocked out of the game in the third quarter. If O’Connell cannot go, Desmond Ridder would be in line for a revenge start against the Falcons, for whom he made 17 starts in 2022-23 before being traded to Arizona in the offseason. The Cardinals cut him in training camp.

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Minnesota

Utah Mammoth take down Minnesota 5-2 to end the Wild’s winning streak at 6

Published

3 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Utah Mammoth take down Minnesota 5-2 to end the Wild’s winning streak at 6

February 27, 2026 / 11:13 PM CST
/ AP

The Wild were taken down by the Utah Mammoth 5-2 on Friday night to end Minnesota’s winning streak at six games.

Lawson Crouse scored twice and U.S. Olympian Clayton Keller had a goal and two assists for Utah.

Logan Cooley and Barrett Hayton also scored and Karel Vejmelka made 21 saves to help the Mammoth rebound from a 4-2 home loss to NHL-leading Colorado on Wednesday night in their return from the Olympic break. Utah began the night in the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

U.S. Olympian Matt Boldy scored and assisted on Kirill Kaprizov’s goal for Minnesota. Second behind Central Division-rival Colorado in the West, the Wild are 9-2-1 in their last 12. They beat the Avalanche 5-2 on Thursday night in Denver.

Cooley opened the scoring with a short-handed goal with 6:37 left in the first period. The former University of Minnesota star got the puck on the right side off a deflection and put a shot between Wallstedt’s legs for his 15th goal.

Keller scored his 18th at 4:26 of the second. Nick Schmaltz forced a turnover on a forecheck and fed Keller on the right side.

Crouse made it 3-0 at 7:49 of the second. He came down the middle, took a pass from Keller and beat Wallstedt with a backhander.

Kaprizov countered for Minnesota on a power play with 5:57 left in the second. He has 33 goals this season.

Hayton made it 4-1 on a power play at 1:19 of the third, and Crouse added his 16th of the season on a tip with 7:12 to go.

Boldy got his 35th of the season with 5:57 remaining.

Up next

Wild: Host St. Louis on Sunday.

Mammoth: Host Chicago on Sunday.

In:

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Minnesota

Shorthanded Clippers can’t keep pace with Anthony Edwards and Minnesota

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Shorthanded Clippers can’t keep pace with Anthony Edwards and Minnesota

Feb. 26, 2026 10:01 PM PT

Anthony Edwards scored 31 points, Donte DiVincenzo added 18 and the surging Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Clippers 94-88 on Thursday night.

Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu each scored 12 points and Rudy Gobert had 13 rebounds to help the Timberwolves improve to 5-1 since Feb. 9 and 3-1 since the All-Star break.

Edwards, returning to the site of the All-Star Game, where he was the MVP, was 12 for 24 from the floor and sealed the victory with a step-back three-pointer over two defenders for a 92-88 lead with 42.9 seconds left.

Minnesota improved to 2-0 on a three-game trip.

Derrick Jones Jr. scored 18 points and Bennedict Mathurin added 14 for the Clippers, who struggled from the outset with a season-low 38 points in the first half. Kris Dunn had 11 points for the Clippers (27-31), who have lost three consecutive games for the first time since December.

The Clippers struggled on offense without star Kawhi Leonard, out because of ankle soreness. The Clippers shot 40.5% from the floor, including 18.2% (four for 22) in the second quarter. Minnesota shot 43.4% in the game.

The Timberwolves (37-23) scored just 15 points in the second quarter and still topped the Clippers, who had 11. Minnesota led 44-38 at halftime behind 12 points from DiVincenzo and 11 from Edwards.

The Clippers led by six in the third quarter and were up 68-63 heading into the fourth. Edwards’ drive and reverse layup put the Timberwolves up for good at 76-74 with 7:40 remaining.

The Clippers pulled within one three times in the last 2½ minutes, but Edwards answered each time. He scored the Timberwolves’ last nine points.

Up next for Clippers: vs. New Orleans on Sunday night.

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Minnesota

Church congregant filed lawsuit against alleged Minnesota church protesters

Published

2 days ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Church congregant filed lawsuit against alleged Minnesota church protesters

A St. Paul church member has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that a group of individuals, including journalist Don Lemon and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, unlawfully disrupted service last month as part of a coordinated political demonstration.

The complaint, filed by Ann Doucette in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, alleges that a Jan. 18 demonstration at Cities Church interfered with her ability to worship and caused her to suffer damages, including emotional distress and trauma.

In addition to the former CNN anchor and Armstrong, the complaint names journalist Georgia Fort and activists Will Kelly, Jerome Richardson, Trahern Crews and Jamael Lundy. It also names St. Paul school board member Chauntyll Allen.

Doucette and seven of the defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Doucette filed the complaint without the representation of an attorney. In an emailed statement to NBC News, Crews denied the lawsuit’s allegations “with empathy and compassion.”

The lawsuit accuses the group of civil conspiracy, aiding and abetting, intentional infliction of emotional distress, interference with religious exercise and trespassing.

“As a result of Defendants’ actions, the worship service was disrupted, congregants experienced fear and distress, and Plaintiff’s ability to freely exercise her religion in a private place of worship was unlawfully interfered with,” the lawsuit states.

All eight defendants are also facing federal charges for conspiracy against the rights of religious freedom at a place of worship and for interfering with the exercise of the right of religious freedom. Lemon has pleaded not guilty to all charges, saying outside the court, “I wanted to say this isn’t just about me, this is about all journalists, especially in the United States.”

Fort, Crews and Lundy were released on bond and entered not guilty pleas, according to The Associated Press.

Don Lemon reporting from an anti-ICE demonstration at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn.@TheDonLemonShow via YouTube

This is the latest legal action tied to protests in the Twin Cities, where tensions remain over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

According to the lawsuit, the demonstrators engaged in “coordinated conduct” by organizing meetings ahead of the “Operation Pullup” protest and promoting it on social media.

The lawsuit alleges that on the morning of Jan. 18, a coordinated group of individuals entered Cities Church, halting the worship service, and chanting “‘ICE Out!’ and ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot!’” while obstructing aisles. Protesters could allegedly be seen “confronting the pastor and congregants in a menacing manner,” the lawsuit says, noting that their chanting and “aggressive gestures” caused “severe emotional distress, fear, anxiety, and trauma” and caused children “terror.”

Demonstrators gathered at the church because they said its pastor, David Easterwood, was the acting director of an ICE field office in the city, the lawsuit says.

Lemon was arrested in January in California and accused of violating federal civil rights law after covering the protest on Jan. 18. He was released on a personal recognizance bond before a federal grand jury in Minnesota returned the indictment against Lemon and eight co-defendants, all of whom are also named in Doucette’s lawsuit.

Nekima Levy Armstrong, Cities Church protest arraignment, St. Paul, Minn., February 2026 — Nekima Levy Armstrong in St. Paul, Minn., on Feb. 13.Carlos Gonzalez / Star Tribune via Getty Images

In the lawsuit, Doucette alleges that Lemon specifically livestreamed the protest, “noting congregants’ fear and distress, and appeared to take satisfaction in the disruption.”

Levy Armstrong, a Minneapolis-based civil rights attorney and activist, was also arrested for her participation in the St. Paul protest. Her arrest drew national attention after the White House shared on social media doctored photos where she appeared to be crying.

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