Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING TAKEOUT NEWS: 1-16-23.
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Vikings’ D Watches Giants Head into Round Two
The Vikings’ defense was who we thought they were. Bailed out by Kirk Cousins or a key turnover in many of their 13 regular season wins, Minnesota’s defense had no answer for, well, anyone on the Giants roster. The turnover never came, and the Giants outlasted the Vikings 31-24.
The defense allowed seven first downs on 11 attempts, watched the Giants march on a 20-yard drive in the first half and allowed first-time playoff QB Daniel Jones to pass for 300 yards and rush for 78 more.
The Vikings’ offense? They did what they do - scored an easy first-quarter touchdown. But the Giants did a remarkable job shutting down Justin Jefferson, who caught just two passes in the game’s last 50-plus minutes. He caught just seven balls for 47 yards overall.
Kevin O’Connell was outcoached in his first playoff game. He tried a razzle dazzle on third and one in the first quarter, but Jefferson’s pass to Cousins went for minus two yards. The only two Giants players not fooled by the play were there to tackle Cousins.
And on the game’s final play (well, one that mattered), a 4th-and-8, Cousins hit T.J. Hockenson for three yards in coverage. The Giants were coming after Cousins, but in the season’s most important play, you just can’t throw five yards short of the sticks. At least not to your possession receiver.
So the Giants go on to play in Philly next weekend on the back of its own first-year head coach.
Next for the Vikings? Fix the defense. I’d expect coordinator Ed Donatell to be looking for a new job by midweek.
Incredible atmosphere at U.S. Bank Stadium, but the Giants never held another lead after 7-0. They did come back from 10 down, but you just knew watching the Giants march another 12 yards for the game-winning score, that it wasn’t going to happen.
Wild Hits Road This Week
The Wild has been home just long enough to do a quick load of laundry the last couple weeks, and that can lead to performances like Saturday’s 2-1 win over Arizona. A win is a win, but they didn’t have their legs and if they play like that on their four-game road trip through Washington (Tuesday), Carolina, Florida and Tampa Bay.
Minnesota has created some separation between itself and fourth place - the Wild leads Cup champion Colorady by seven points. Minnesota begins the week five points behind first-place Winnipeg in the Central.
Wolves Continue Hot Play
Six wins in seven games now for the streaking Wolves, after back-to-back home wins over Phoenix and Cleveland Friday and Saturday. Minnesota, 14-9 at home, is suddenly into seventh place in the West and just 2.5 games out of fourth which would mean home court in the playoffs. Lot of season left, though.
The Wolves host Utah today at 3 in a Martin Luther King, Jr., Day matinee.
Gopher Hockey
Facing a regulation loss in South Bend, the Gophers rallied late to force a tie Friday, then rode that momentum to a 3-0 win over Notre Dame on Saturday. The Fighting Irish did get the extra shootout point on Friday. The Gophers host Michigan this weekend. Minnesota’s 11-2-1 record hasn’t quite clinched the BIg 10 yet, but they’re a whopping 10 points up on their three nearest pursuers.
The Gopher women moved to 18-3-2 on the year with easy 5-0 and 4-1 wins over St. Thomas at home. They’re 15-1-2 in the WCHA - they face last place Bemidji (1-17-0) up north this weekend.
Gopher BB
The Gopher men look for their second straight Big 10 win today at 5 when they host Illinois. The Illini are 12-3 overall but just 1-2 on the road. However, Illinois has three wins over top 15 teams including one over then No. 2 Texas.
The Gopher women fell 70-57 at home to No. 24 Illinois yesterday. They’ve got Big 10 road games in Penn State and Purdue this week.
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