Connect with us

Minnesota

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

Published

on

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


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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

Early line: 49ers -3

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.

Advertisement

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.

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

Advertisement

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.

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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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.

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.

MONDAY NIGHT

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

Advertisement

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.

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.



Source link

Advertisement

Minnesota

How Minnesota farmers are coping with a trade war and a government shut down

Published

on

How Minnesota farmers are coping with a trade war and a government shut down


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

Continue Reading

Minnesota

5 key matchups for Minnesota’s Week 10 clash against Michigan State

Published

on

5 key matchups for Minnesota’s Week 10 clash against Michigan State


The Gophers host Michigan State at Huntington Bank Stadium this Saturday. At 0-5 in conference play, the Spartans have been one of the most disappointing teams in the Big Ten, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still dangerous. Here are five key matchups for this week’s game.

Marsh has a strong argument for being the best player on Michigan State. Listed at 6-foot-3, 203 pounds, he has 46 catches for 479 yards and five touchdowns, which are all team highs. The Gophers’ cornerbacks struggled against California, Rutgers and Ohio State, but they’ve responded against Purdue, Nebraska and Iowa over the last three weeks. With John Nestor’s status up in the air, Za’Quan Bryan and the rest of Minnesota’s corners will need to step up.

Imagn Image

Michigan State’s Nick Marsh smiles while warming up before the game against Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Subscribe: Sign up to receive the free Gophers On SI newsletter

Over the last two weeks, Minnesota has faced No. 2 and No. 8 pass defenses in the country. Lindsey has completed 66.6% of his passes for 131 yards per game with two total touchdowns and three interceptions. He has a great opportunity to get back on track this week against Michigan State’s 87th-ranked unit, which has allowed 230.8 yards per game through the air. With Darius Taylor’s status up in the air, Lindsey might need to have a big game.

Michigan State’s starting quarterback, Aidan Chiles, struggled last week, completing 50% of his passes for only 130 yards and one rushing touchdown. He has been pretty up and down all season, and there haven’t been any signs that imply that the Spartans would make a change at the position, but they’re 0-5 in conference play. If they make a move, it would likely be for freshman Alessio Milivojevic, who has looked good in garbage time. This could be something that completely changes the game if Michigan State makes a surprise decision.

Advertisement
Imagn Image

Oct 18, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) fist pumps Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) prior to the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

After a breakthrough performance against Nebraska, Minnesota’s offensive line reverted to its old ways against the Hawkeyes. They will face a far less daunting Michigan State defensive front this week. The Spartans’ 14 sacks rank 88th-best as a team, and their 149.4 rushing yards per game rank 76th-best. The Gophers have an opportunity on Saturday to get their confidence back.

The Gophers haven’t lost back-to-back games all season, but they might face their toughest challenge to avoid that happening this week against the Spartans. It’s hard to find many things on paper where Michigan State has a huge advantage over Minnesota, which makes this game even more sneaky. The Gophers badly need to respond emotionally after last week’s beatdown in Iowa City.



Source link

Continue Reading

Minnesota

Jean Sumner

Published

on

Jean Sumner


Jean Marie (Bee) Sumner died Friday, October 24, 2025 at her home in Rockport, Texas. After facing chronic lymphocytic leukemia for many years, her body is finally at peace.

Jean was born December 21, 1952 in Plum City, Wisconsin to Kenny and Pat Bee. She grew up in Embarrass, Minnesota and graduated from Virginia High School in 1971. 

She married Steve Sumner on February 14, 1987 in Duluth. Jean received her B.Acc. from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1981 and worked at Wells Fargo until her retirement in 2006 when she moved to The Villages, FL.

Jean and Steve loved to travel and spent many weeks in Mexico and the Caribbean. Most recently she spent her winters in Yuma, AZ and last winter bought a home in Rockport, TX. In the summer, she would return to Embarrass. 

Advertisement

She is survived by her daughters Leslie (Brad) Brunfelt, Duluth, MN; Kristen (John) Peek, Orlando, FL; Amy (Dennis) Christopherson, Arkansaw, WI; stepson Jason Sumner; bonus daughter Julie Sumner. Grandchildren Emily and Sydney Hanna, Ben and Aaron Fulford, Tabitha (Cody) Strzyzykowski, Matthew Sumner, Miranda, Robert, and Alice Christopherson. Great Grandchildren, Elizabeth and Mackenzie Strzyzykowski. Siblings Linda (Duane) Henry, Lacey, WA; Ann Lamppa, Virginia, MN; Jodi (Perry) Kronenbush, Rochester, MN; Chuck (Patty) Bee, Tower, MN. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved her dearly. Partner, Bob Schroeder and dog, Sassy. 

She is preceded in death by her parents and parents in-law, her husband of 34 years, Steve Sumner; son Travis Nevala, and brother-in-law, Lon Lamppa.

A celebration of life will be held at Timber Hall in Embarrass, MN on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Please share online condolences and photos at charliemarshallfuneralhomes.com.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending