Minnesota

Key Matchup: Justin Jefferson vs. Lions’ Secondary

Published

1 year ago

January 5, 2025

Key Matchup: Justin Jefferson vs. Lions’ Secondary

Aaron Glenn’s secondary is going to be undeniably tested on Sunday night against the Vikings.

And it’s not just because Minnesota signal-caller Sam Darnold is enjoying a breakthrough campaign, with a career-best 35 touchdowns and 4,153 yards to his name. Instead, it’s also due to the Vikings’ deep receiving corps, which is highlighted by Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson.

Addison has caught 62 balls for 875 yards and nine touchdowns through 14 games this season, while Jefferson leads the way with 100 catches, 1,479 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jefferson has cemented himself as not only Minnesota’s best pass-catcher, but also one of the most prolific receivers in today’s game.

Now in his fifth NFL season, the LSU product has amassed north of 1,000 receiving yards each year, including a league-best 1,809 yards in 2022. During the aforementioned ‘22 campaign, he also caught an NFL-high 128 passes, and recorded a league-best 106.4 receiving yards per game and earned first-team All-Pro honors.

Fast-forward to the 2024 campaign, a season in which he’s found himself catching passes from Darnold. Jefferson has established a tremendous rapport with the former journeyman quarterback, and so much so that he ranks No. 2 among all pass-catchers in receiving yards this season.

Additionally, in his first meeting with the Lions this season (Week 7), he caught seven balls for 81 yards and a score. At that juncture, Detroit’s secondary was still equipped with its top cornerback, Carlton Davis. That is no longer the case, though, as Davis suffered a fractured jaw in Week 15 against the Bills and hasn’t played a single snap since.

Report: Alex Anzalone to Play Against Vikings, Snap Count Monitored

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson looks back after catching a pass against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field / David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK

Jefferson has a chance to feast on Sunday against a Lions cornerbacks group that is now led by rookie Terrion Arnold and veteran defensive back Amik Robertson. Arnold and Robertson have each struggled this season, with zero interceptions to their names and Pro Football Focus pass-coverage grades of 48.8 and 62.1, respectively.

I’m expecting Jefferson to be a matchup nightmare for both Arnold and Robertson on the outside, as well as for the Lions’ secondary as a whole. Detroit has been subpar at defending the pass all season long. In fact, it’s allowed the second-most passing yards to opponents (4,006), plus the most yards per game to opposing wide receivers (per PFF).

Glenn had high praise for the standout Vikings receiver earlier this week.

“I think he’s one of the toughest guys playing in that position,” the Detroit defensive play-caller expressed. “He’s an old-school player, in my opinion. It’s almost like he’s a defensive guy playing receiver.”

In nine career games against the Lions, Jefferson has produced 69 receptions for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns. Four of those games have come at Ford Field, in which the game-changing wideout has amassed a staggering 43 catches for 730 yards and two scores.

On Sunday, I’m predicting the three-time Pro Bowl receiver to finish with eight catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Source link

Minnesota

Minnesota county is investigating potential kidnapping and false imprisonment by federal officers

Published

4 hours ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

Minnesota county is investigating potential kidnapping and false imprisonment by federal officers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota officials are planning to investigate the actions of federal law enforcement officers in one county, potentially including a kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Sheriff Bob Fletcher said they planned to release more details about the investigation at a news conference later Monday. Ramsey County includes the state capital of St. Paul.

Choi and Fletcher said they will pursue information they need for the investigation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The department has refused so far to cooperate with other state and local investigations into the killings by federal officers of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

The news conference announcement did not specify which incident is being investigated, but the county’s chief prosecutor and sheriff said they would ask the public for information about this and other incidents.

The state and the chief prosecutor in Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis, sued the Trump administration last month to gain access to evidence they say they need to independently investigate three shootings by federal officers in Minneapolis, including the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

The lawsuit accuses the federal government of reneging on its promise to cooperate with state investigations after the surge of around 3,000 federal law enforcement officers into Minnesota.

Minnesota and Hennepin County have also appealed to the public to share information about federal officers’ potentially illegal activities, given the refusal by federal authorities to provide evidence.

The Trump administration has suggested Minnesota officials don’t have jurisdiction to investigate those cases. State and county prosecutors say they need to conduct their own inquiries because they don’t trust the federal government.

The Justice Department in January said it was opening a federal civil rights investigation into Pretti’s killing, and two officers have been placed on leave, but the agency said a similar federal probe was not warranted in Good’s death.

Source link

Minnesota

How to buy Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets NBA playoff tickets

Published

16 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

How to buy Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets NBA playoff tickets

With a win on Sunday night, the Denver Nuggets secured the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

The Nuggets will face the No. 6 seed, the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the first two games taking place at Ball Arena in Denver. Tickets are available now, starting at $72 for the Game 2 in the best-of-seven series.

This marks the Timberwolves’ fifth consecutive playoff trip, while it is the seventh consecutive playoff trip for the Nuggets. No matter who wins the first-round series, an NBA Finals contender will fall.

Here’s what you need to know to buy Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 2026 NBA playoffs first round tickets:

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets NBA playoffs tickets

The schedule for the NBA playoffs is not yet known, but tickets are available now for all potential games. Once the full schedule is released, you can check back here for an updated look at the schedule and ticket prices.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets NBA playoff schedule

As the No. 3 seed, the Denver Nuggets will host for Game 1, Game 2, Game 5* and Game 7*. The Timberwolves’ will host Game 3 and Game 4 at home, with the potential to host Game 6* at home.

Denver Nuggets 2026 NBA playoffs first round tickets

Minnesota Timberwolves 2026 NBA playoffs first round tickets

When are the NBA Finals?

The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 3 and could run all the way until a potential Game 7 on Friday, June 19.

Get Nuggets vs. Timberwolves NBA playoff tickets

Source link

Minnesota

Minnesota’s Pohlkamp helps Denver beat Wisconsin 2-1 for 11th national hockey title, 3rd in 5 years

Published

1 day ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

Minnesota’s Pohlkamp helps Denver beat Wisconsin 2-1 for 11th national hockey title, 3rd in 5 years

By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR’s or APMG entities’ programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.

Source link