Stanzel’s Sports Takeout — BREAKING NEWS: 9.23.24
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Too busy a sports weekend to waste your time about a pre-season hockey game after two days of practice, sorry.
Vikings Batter Texans en Route to 3-0; Packers up Next
Maybe we can have nice things. With 66,000 people holding their breath as Sam Darnold suffered what looked to have the potential of being a serious knee injury, Nick Mullens ran one play and jogged back to the sideline as Darnold headed back to the huddle.
It’s good to be a Vikings fan right now, huh? A 34-7 dismantling of a previously unbeaten Houston Texans team that has been the darling of the early NFL season.
Three-and-oh, just like we all thought, heading into Lambeau next week to face the 2-1 Packers.
How good is Brian Flores’ defense? The scheme, for sure, but the players are getting it done. Five sacks yesterday - three from former Texan Jonathan Greenard. They hit C.J. Stroud eight times. They picked him off twice.
No offensive coordinator yet has been able to solve this defense. Sure, Stefon Diggs caught 10 pases for 94 yards. The Texans threw for 258 yards. But with 14 rushes for 38 yards, none of that mattered.
The Texans’ defense could use some work, at least if leaving Justin Jefferson completely open for five completions on as many targets before halftime is any indication. Jefferson, Aaron Jones and Jalen Nailor each caught a TD pass from Darnold.
Now, Lambeau will be rocking Sunday at noon, with Jordan Love possibly returning (Malik Willis is 2-0, though). The Vikings have for sure ridden the home crowd to two wins over two good teams.
Lynx Outlasts Mercury in Game 1 Thriller
Speaking of a raucous home crowd, the Lynx gave Target Center plenty of reason to cheer in the first half, then used that energy to hold on late for a 102-95 win in Game 1 of their best-of-three first-round series against Phoenix.
Minnesota led by as many as 23 in the first half but wound up trailing midway through the fourth. Only two WNBA teams have lost this season when leading by 20.
Napheesa Collier provided perhaps the greatest single game performance in the Lynx’ storied post-season history. She scored 38 points, made 13-of-14 free throws, had six rebounds, four assists and a block.
Kayla McBride added 20, but it was Bridget Carlton’s off-balance, fadeaway three with a defender in her face that sealed the win late.
Game 2 is Wednesday at Target Center, with the Lynx not wanting to take a flight to Phoenix for a deciding game three.
Twins Swept in Boston DH; Out of Playoff Position with Six Games Left
The Twins woke up back in their Twin Cities beds this morning on the outside of the post-season picture looking in, with three-game home sets against the Marlins and a really good Baltimore team this week.
That’s because of an ugly doubleheader sweep yesterday in Boston. Pablo Lopez got roughed up in Game 1, and the Twins officially ran out of pitching for the season in Game 2.
They’re a game behind Detroit and Kansas City for the final one/two Wild Card spots.
Twins column up to Pulltab later today.
Gophers Lose it in Second Half Against Iowa
Max Brosmer hit Elijah Spencer for a touchdown to end the first half Saturday and give the Gophers a 14-7 lead over Iowa. They’d completely dominated the second quarter.
Something happened at halftime. Or more specifically, Kaleb Johnson happened in the third quarter. The nation’s leading runner sprinted for 15- and 40-yard touchdown runs - his second and third of the night - and the Hawkeyes embarrassed the Gophers in the second half of a 31-14 win. Johnson ran for 206 yards on the night.
And now the Gophers hit murderers’ row of the new Big 10 - at Michigan, home against USC and at UCLA.
And the week 1 loss against North Carolina is looking worse and worse. UNC paid James Madison $500,000 to come to Chapel Hill and hang 70 points on the Tar Heels on Saturday.
Loons Win 2-0 in KC; Still in Play-in Spot
The Loons beat Sporting KC 2-0 on the road on Saturday, moving five points up on being out of the play-in game.
But Minnesota plays Colorado and Real Salt Lake - two of the top three teams in the West - its next two games. Four games remain overall, with the Loons two points back of Portland for who would host the potential play-in game. FC Dallas is five points in arrears of the Loons.
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