Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 10.25.24
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Vikings Lost on Both Sides of Ball in 30-20 Loss in L.A.
Remember a month ago, when Vikings’ fans biggest worry was defensive coordinator Brian Flores leaving for a head coaching job? Seems like a century ago.
The 3-4 Rams became the second straight team to pick apart Flores’ defense, as Matthew Stafford threw four tochdowns in L.A.’s 30-20 win over the Vikings last night on Thursday Night Football. The 5-2 Vikings lost two games in four days and head into a primetime game a week from Sunday against the Colts at home.
The Vikings can’t defend the pass - they pressured Stafford just three times - and they couldn’t stop committing penalties last night. The Rams got an astonishing five first downs off Minnesota’s penalties, including three on third down in the first half. The final first down on penalty came on a defensive holding play inside the five yard line on second-and-long in the fourth quarter, leading to the Rams’ first lead. Needing a stop on 3rd and long late in the fourth quarter, Stephone Gilmore let Cooper Kupp make an easy catch for a first down.
Minnesota started fast as is their custom - 140 yards in the first quarter, before accruing just six yards in the second quarter. Overall, they gained just 136 after the opening 15 minutes. But they couldn’t defend then either, as the teams became the first this season in the NFL to score touchdowns on the game’s first four possessions.
There’s no creativity on offense anymore. Run Aaron Jones on first down for hardly a gain. A seven-yard pass on second and 10. No success on third down. Jordan Addison has 12 catches all season. The Vikings looked lost, and Justin Jefferson is displeased.
Officials did miss a blatant face mask that led to a safety on the Vikings’ final drive. It would have given them a 1st-and-10 at their own 20 with 1:40 left.
And the Vikings lost their best offensive lineman, when Christian Darrisaw suffered what looked to be a serious knee injury late in the first half. I’m a big proponent of always trying to score and not taking a knee, but the Vikings got the ball at the five with under 40 seconds left. Just take the knee, and Darrisaw lives to fight another day.
Wild’s First Deficit No Problem En Route to 5-0-2
Turns out, the Wild can play from behind too. Minnesota trailed for the first time in regulation this season - all of 411 seconds - before rallying for a 4-2 win at Tampa to move to 5-0-2 this season. Kirill Kaprizov had two goals and an assist, matching his career high with his fourth straight multiple point game.
Kaprizov scored in the first period as the Wild became the fourth team in the last 20 seasons to record the game’s first goal in the first seven games of the season. But the Lightning scored twice midway through the second, and the Wild trailed for the first time since finishing out the string in the 2023-24 regular season. The Wild’s streak of not trailing in regulation was snapped at 391 minutes, 31 seconds.
But Joel Eriksson Ek scored with 1:38 left in the second, and Matt Boldy scored on the power play just 54 seconds into the third to give the Wild the lead. Kaprizov sealed the game with an empty-net goal.
Marc-Andre Fleury got his first start in 12 days and made 23 saves. Filip Gustavsson has been so good that Flower hasn’t gotten much of an opportunity. But we know the Gus Bus can break down on a moment’s notice.
The Wild is 4-0-1 on this daunting seven-game road trip that continues with a noon game Saturday in Philadelphia.
Wolves in the Win Column
Anthony Edwards hit two free throws with 2.1 seconds left on the clock to lift the Wolves to their first win of the season, 117-115 in Sacramento late last night. Edwards had 32 points, just behind Julius Randle’s game-high 33.
Edwards, Randle and Naz Reid combined for 84 of the team’s 117 points in a game that saw the Wolves commit 17 turnovers. Edwards and Reid hit back-to-back 3-pointers in a critical 11-0 fourth quarter run that gave them the lead.
The Wolves return to Target Center to face the Raptors in their home opener Saturday.
Gopher FB Hosts Maryland for Homecoming
The Gophers got a much deserved bye week after sweeping USC and UCLA. It’s homecoming this week, and they’ll face Maryland at 2:30 Saturday on FS1. The Terrapins snuck by now unranked USC by one point last week.
Minnesota is a 4.5-point favorite, and should win this game if they can avoid looking forward to Illinoix next week.
Gopher Hockey Teams Both Heavy Favorites
Last year St. Thomas took the Gopher men to overtime at Xcel Energy Center. They’ll get a chance again in a home-and-home this weekend - at Mariucci tonight and at The X on Saturday.
Can’t remember the last time (if ever) the Gophers went winless in four straight conference games, but that’s where they’re at. But they’ll be heavily favored in a home-and-home against Minnesota State.
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