Minnesota
The Giants don’t seem too afraid of the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings will host the New York Giants on Sunday in one other battle of the Midwest and the East Coast. Vikings followers are holding their breath hoping {that a} 13-4 document is not as “fraudulent” as everybody believes however in the event you ask Giants Nation, it is the matchup they’ve wished all alongside.
The primary photographs within the weekly trash speak (unsurprisingly) got here from the New York Put up. Mike Vaccaro’s Monday morning column carried the kind of confidence you’d count on from somebody rooted in New York and declared that the Giants “won’t be patsies for anybody within the playoffs.”
“The Giants primarily had a trip week and nonetheless managed to convey some feel-good vibes dwelling with them up the Turnpike,” Vaccaro wrote. “That is been the theme all 12 months. They’ve misplaced seven video games however nearly at all times managed to sow seeds of hope, even when the scoreboard disagreed. It has bred a group that should be brimming with confidence because the NFL’s marquee season begins.”
The bravado solely received stronger because the column went on.
“You might be positive the Vikings, given fact serum, would have most well-liked to see another person on the opposite aspect of the sphere at U.S. Financial institution Stadium given the best way final week shook out,” Vaccaro wrote, noting the Week 16 nail-biter between the Vikings and Giants.
In actuality, the Giants may be strolling right into a buzzsaw.
Earlier than we get into that, let’s acknowledge among the issues going towards the Vikings.
Minnesota’s offensive line is in shambles and they’ll face a Giants protection that ranks fifth in strain price (23.2%) and No. 1 in blitz price (36.4%). Simply two weeks in the past, the Vikings had been scooped up off the Lambeau Discipline turf in a nationally-televised 41-17 loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. They’ve a head coach approaching his first profession playoff sport and a group that’s simply as prone to get blown out by 40 factors as they’re to win a good sport.
In the case of the Giants, nevertheless, this can be the group Minnesota wished to see.
Just like the Vikings, the Giants have been one of many NFL’s greatest surprises. Their 7-2 begin had them alongside the Vikings as probably the greatest groups within the NFC and with a recent, offensive-minded coach, many anticipated the Giants to be a contender in a wide-open convention.
That is the place issues began to go south. The Giants went 2-5-1 over their last eight video games and slid down the standings. The losses included a white-knuckle journey in Minneapolis but additionally a 48-22 beating at MetLife Stadium to the Philadelphia Eagles. Combine in dwelling losses to non-playoff groups Detroit and Washington and this does not appear to be a group headed in the suitable route.
That’s except you ask fellow New York Put up columnist Steve Serby, who declared the Giants a peaking group after a 38-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17.
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“Daniel Jones is taking part in the perfect quarterback of his profession, they stood toe-to-toe with the Vikings at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on Christmas Eve and they are going to be fueled with the self-belief that they will beat them in a rematch – particularly with a secondary that this time will embody Xavier McKinney and Adoree’ Jackson to raised include all-world broad receiver Justin Jefferson and tight finish T.J. Hockenson.”
Serby went on to quote that O’Connell has by no means coached a playoff sport and has much less expertise than Brian Daboll – who has been on 5 Tremendous Bowl-winning staffs and a nationwide championship workers at Alabama. However he too could have his first go as a head coach within the playoffs.
Serby additionally took a web page out of the Packer fan playbook by noting the Vikings have by no means gained a Tremendous Bowl however failed to say that the Giants have not been to the playoffs since 2016 – or as Vaccaro put it – 2,100 days.
The truth is, the final time the Giants had been within the playoffs, Peyton Manning was the quarterback of the Denver Broncos, Barack Obama was nonetheless in workplace, Kobe Bryant was within the last months of his legendary profession and Odell Beckham Jr. had two good knees.
Since then, the Vikings have performed in 4 playoff video games with a number of gamers who will take the sphere on Sunday together with Harrison Smith, Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks and Adam Thielen.
Apparently, none of that issues as Daboll downplayed the significance of expertise throughout Monday’s press convention.
“Actually the expertise might be overrated, to be trustworthy with you,” Daboll stated. “It is the way you put together, the way you follow, and, in the end, the way you play the sport and coach the sport on no matter day it’s. … I have been on loads of totally different groups that had various ranges of expertise,” he stated. “Some quite a bit, some just a little. I do know somebody talked about Malcolm Butler. I feel actually what issues is benefiting from your alternatives after they come. And taking part in soccer sport. Teaching soccer sport.”
Teaching soccer sport is one thing that O’Connell is aware of contemplating the Vikings went 11-0 in video games determined by one possession this season. That is one thing the Giants cannot say after dropping three one-score video games previously eight weeks.
Even when Daboll is saying the suitable issues and bringing the suitable vibes, the Giants aren’t as massive of a nightmare because the Lions, who gained eight of their final 10 to shut the season and defeated the Giants 31-18 on Nov. 20, or the Packers, who had gained 4 straight video games earlier than dropping to Detroit on Sunday night time.
Nonetheless, the Giants trustworthy consider it is their proper to be on this place even within the first 12 months of Daboll’s partnership with common supervisor Joe Schoen.
“It is even flawed to say they’re taking part in with home cash,” Vaccaro wrote. “If you clinch your spot with room to spare, it means you are ok to count on greater than merely a participation trophy.”
The Vikings have had the NFC North wrapped up for weeks and on Sunday they’re going to have the possibility to point out groups just like the Giants that they’re a group to worry within the playoffs.
On Thursday night, the Minnesota Timberwovles hosted Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks at the Target Center.
There was a lot of emotion due to the fact that Towns made his return for the first time as a member of another team.
The Timberwovles lost by a score of 133-107.
Via StatMuse: “Karl-Anthony Towns tonight:
32 PTS
20 REB
6 AST
10-12 FG
5-5 3P
+31
Showed out in his return to Minnesota.”
Karl-Anthony Towns tonight:
32 PTS Showed out in his return to Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/BZBZ3Wmuf6
— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 20, 2024
20 REB
6 AST
10-12 FG
5-5 3P
+31
After the tough loss, Anthony Edwards called out his team when he met with the media (h/t Dane Moore of Blue Wire).
Edwards: “We don’t have s**t on offense. We don’t have no identity. We know I’m gonna shoot a bunch of shots, we know Ju gonna shoot a bunch of shots and that’s all we know. We don’t really know anything else. It’s not on the coaches at all. It’s on us. We’re out there playing.”
Anthony Edwards on the Wolves’ offensive identity
“We don’t have shit on offense. We don’t have no identity. We know I’m gonna shoot a bunch of shots, we know Ju gonna shoot a bunch of shots, and that’s all we know.” https://t.co/Lh3W8sFRtL pic.twitter.com/HR6udkJlr7
— Dane Moore (@DaneMooreNBA) December 20, 2024
Edwards finished the loss with 17 points, five rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block while shooting 7/16 from the field and 3/7 from the three-point range in 34 minutes of playing time.
The Timberwolves dropped to 14-12 in 26 games, which has them as the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
They are still 6-4 over their last ten.
Anthony Edwards asked about fixing the offense: “They not going to like what I say, so I’m just going to keep it to myself.”
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) December 20, 2024
Following New York, the Timberwolves will play their next game when they host Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Saturday evening.
Since trading Towns over the offseason, they have yet to look like a team that is coming off a 2024 Western Conference finals appearance.
Minnesota United and Major League Soccer announced today the full schedule for the 2025 MLS Regular Season.
MNUFC kicks off its ninth season in MLS on the road against LAFC at BMO Stadium on Saturday, February 22 before coming home to host Eastern Conference opponent CF Montréal on March 1 for the 2025 home opener at Allianz Field.
Additional key matchups in the 2025 schedule include:
- LA Galaxy: MNUFC hosts the 2024 MLS Cup Champions on Saturday, March 22 at Allianz Field and will face the Galaxy on Decision Day, October 18 on the road. The Loons faced the LA Galaxy in the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals at Dignity Health Sports Park, where the Galaxy defeated MNUFC to advance to the Western Conference Final and MLS Cup.
- Inter Miami CF: The Loons will host the 2024 Supporters’ Shield winners, Inter Miami CF, for the first time in club history on Saturday, May 10 at Allianz Field. MNUFC last played Miami in 2022 on the road.
- San Diego FC: Minnesota United will welcome new Western Conference opponent San Diego FC to Allianz Field on Saturday, June 14. The Loons will travel to Snapdragon Stadium to face the expansion side on September 13.
- Eastern Conference: In addition to CF Montréal and Inter Miami CF, MNUFC will face New York City FC, Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls and Chicago Fire FC.
Minnesota United will have four nationally televised games in 2025 featuring Western Conference opponents LAFC for the 2024 MLS season opener on February 22 (FOX), Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 15 (FS1), FC Dallas on Fourth of July (FS1) and Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, August 16 (FS1). Additionally, MNUFC will have two MLS Season Pass Game of the Week matches in 2025 featuring FC Dallas on Sunday, April 20 at Allianz Field, and Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday, June 1 at Lumen Field.
MNUFC will release the 2025 Theme Nights schedule at a later date.
Single-game tickets for all MLS home games on the 2025 schedule will go on sale in early February. As usual, MNUFC insiders will receive first access to single-game tickets through a series of exclusive presales, beginning with Itasca Members, followed by Season Ticket Members, then members of The Preserve, and finally subscribers to the MNUFC newsletter. Limited quantities of single-game tickets will be held for each of those windows throughout the presale process.
Fans who want to give themselves the best shot at securing single-game tickets for the season’s most popular games can join The Preserve. For $25 per seat, Preserve membership holds the fan’s spot in line for season tickets, while unlocking early access to tickets presales, including for MNUFC home games, MLS Cup Playoffs, US National Team Games, and other marquee events at Allianz Field.
Additionally, fans can sign up for the MNUFC newsletter to receive presale access following members of The Preserve.
In the meantime, fans can get a jump on the action with one of two partial plans that are currently available. Starting at $145, the First Five Package includes a ticket for the Loons first five home games of the season, along with increased access for season tickets in 2026. Meanwhile, the Holiday Hat Pack includes a ticket to MNUFC’s first two home matches, plus a limited-edition knit hat, all starting at just $86.
Other ticketing opportunities include discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more, as well as single-game rentals of Allianz Field premium spaces, both of which will go on sale in January. Fans interested in purchasing group or premium tickets should place a refundable deposit today to guarantee their spot in the annual Group and Premium Selection processes, when most of the season’s most popular games are sold out. Note that group tickets will not be available for the May 10 match vs. Inter Miami.
Leagues Cup 2025, the official Concacaf tournament between LIGA MX and Major League Soccer, will be played July 29 to August 31, 2025 in the United States and Canada. A new format will be announced at a later date, along with the schedule and additional information. Concacaf will continue to award three qualification berths to the Concacaf Champions Cup to the Leagues Cup champion and second and third-place finishers.
Austin FC will host the 2025 MLS All-Star Game at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on Wednesday, July 23 (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). The MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22. Additional details on the 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T and the opponent for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game will be announced at a later date.
The MLS regular season concludes with Decision Day 2025 on Saturday, October 18. The slate, which features Eastern Conference matches kicking off at 5 p.m. CT and Western Conference matches beginning at 8 p.m. CT on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, decides who is in and who is out in the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs. Additionally, New York City FC will host Seattle Sounders in an interconference match at 5 p.m. CT on the final matchday of the season.
MLS Pause for FIFA Club World Cup and Concacaf Gold Cup
MLS stadiums across the United States and Canada will be featured prominently with 14 MLS venues serving as hosts to the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025 Gold Cup, Concacaf’s flagship men’s national team tournament. MLS will pause regular season play from June 15-24 for the FIFA Club World Cup, an event featuring Inter Miami CF and Seattle Sounders FC, and the Concacaf Gold Cup.
With the addition of San Diego FC as the league’s 30th club, the MLS schedule format will include every MLS team competing in 34 regular season games, featuring 17 at home and 17 on the road. Clubs will play conference opponents twice (28 games), once at home and once away. Each club will play six different cross-conference opponents.
Every Match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
MLS action returns to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in 2025 with all 510 games available in one dedicated destination with no blackouts in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. New for this upcoming season, MLS Season Pass will broadcast a featured game on Sunday evenings with enhanced production and dedicated studio programming. More details will be shared at a later date.
The popular whip around studio show, MLS 360, provides live look-ins from every active match alongside expert analysis in English and Spanish. Pregame and postgame studio shows, MLS Countdown and MLS Wrap Up in English and MLS La Previa and MLS El Resumen in Spanish, return with full preview and postgame analysis and insights across all matchday action.
MLS Season Pass will also continue to feature a wide array of on-demand content and in-depth special features spanning all 30 MLS clubs.
Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who have lost three of their last four games, including another lopsided defeat (6-1) on Wednesday against Florida. Goaltending has been the biggest part of the Wild’s resurgence this season, and they need Filip Gustavsson to recover soon from his lower body injury. Otherwise, advanced data says their season will be in peril.
7:00: Kirk Cousins spoke to the media for the first time since he was benched by the Falcons. Hear what he had to say.
10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment, which this week focuses on these subjects: Who will win the NFC North? How important is Thursdays’ Wolves vs. Knicks game? And what do we think of a wacky MLB idea?
30:00: Side stories are nice, but Thursday should just be a good basketball game.
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