Not long ago, NFL.com ranked the Minnesota Vikings as the league’s fifth-worst team heading into 2026. Fast forward a few weeks, and Bleacher Report has flipped the script, predicting a 12-5 record for Kevin O’Connell’s team.

Minnesota has the defense, weapons, and schedule path to make the spicy record prediction feel plausible.

The court of public opinion is all over the board on Minnesota, but don’t tell that to BR.

Murray Becomes the Swing Piece in Minnesota’s Ceiling

Are the Vikings closer to a bottom-feeder or a 12-5 squad?

BR: Vikings Will Finish 12-5

Moe Moton from Bleacher Report analyzed each team’s schedule after last week’s release, forecasting wins and losses for every combatant.

About Minnesota, he wrote, “Head coach Kevin O’Connell has led the Minnesota Vikings to 13 wins with Kirk Cousins and 14 victories with Sam Darnold. The latter just won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, but neither is considered an elite quarterback.”

“The Vikings signed Kyler Murray, who can be dynamic with his mobility and made the Pro Bowl in two of his first three years with the Arizona Cardinals. After a promising career start, he’s battled injuries and posted mediocre passing numbers. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Murray and J.J. McCarthy will battle for the starting job. That said, the former should win the competition with his starting experience.”

The Vikings, indeed, are advertising a quarterback competition this summer, but most expect Murray to prevail.

Moton continued, “Murray could benefit from a change of scenery in Minnesota, as Darnold did. He’ll have two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, tight end T.J. Hockenson and a defense that’s ranked seventh or better in scoring for consecutive terms under play-caller Brian Flores.”

“The Vikings have the structure to take pressure off of Murray while getting the best out of him. He’ll be a Comeback Player of the Year candidate, and the Vikings will be in contention for a division title. 2026 projection: 12-5.”

QB Stability Is the Path

Minnesota won nine games last year despite having one of the NFL’s least efficient quarterback situations.

Per Dropback EPA/Play, the combination of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer ranked as the league’s fifth-worst quarterback group. The eye test undeniably supported this assessment. Yet the Vikings remained competitive, posting a 9-8 record despite an offense hampered by quarterback play.

It makes the discussion around Murray straightforward. He isn’t expected to be Superman in Minnesota; his task is to elevate the quarterback room from near the bottom of the league into the Top 12 or Top 15. Should he achieve this, the team’s fortunes will rapidly change. A Vikings squad that secured nine wins with quarterback play ranked around 28th could suddenly envision an 11-6, 12-5, or even better record, merely by Murray stabilizing the position and contributing his characteristic playmaking flair.

And his requirements are clear: protect the football, use his mobility, execute the easy throws, and avoid massive gaffes. Murray can remain dynamic without resorting to “hero ball” on every other possession. Finding that balance is precisely where Minnesota’s potential resides. In short, if Murray doesn’t play like an idiot, the Vikings can reach the postseason.

Defense Is Already There

The Vikings already possess a strong defense, which is central to any discussion about their 2026 prospects.

Since Brian Flores’ arrival in 2023, Minnesota’s defense has been stellar, ranking among the league’s best. Over the 2023-2025 period, they’ve collectively ranked second in the NFL by EPA/Play and DVOA. The year-by-year EPA/Play numbers illustrate the majesty:

• 2023: 17th
• 2024: 1st
• 2025: 3rd
• 2023-2025 Overall: 2nd

This suggests a Super Bowl-caliber pedigree. Regardless of offensive developments in 2026, Flores has built a defense capable of competing deep into January.

The challenge, however, has been on the offensive side. For three seasons (2023-2025), the Vikings’ offenses have either struggled with consistency or collapsed at critical moments, with Sam Darnold’s Week 18 meltdown and playoff collapse in 2024 serving as clear examples.

The equation for 2026 is straightforward: If Flores’ defense maintains its elite status, the offense won’t need to perform miracles. Even a slight dip to a top-eight defensive ranking would typically keep the team in contention.

A Vicious Division

The tricky part, if one assumes that Murray will play like Murray and the Floresian defense maintains its standard of living? The Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears.

Until 2025, the NFC North usually contained at least one “walkover” team, a franchise that was going nowhere and could be smacked around a bit. Those days are over. From head to toe, the Vikings, Lions, Packers, and Bears have strong rosters and aim to win the NFC North. The division is up for grabs.

So, on top of already gritty division games, Minnesota will forge a path to the postseason six times against familiar foes with Super Bowl aspirations.

If O’Connell’s team exits the regular season with a 12-5 record, as Moton predicted, it will be battle-tested for the playoffs.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

MCG will play host to Sunday’s
Round 10 AFL game between Essendon Bombers and
Fremantle Dockers. The game kicks off at 1:10 pm with Fremantle Dockers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Essendon Bombers vs.
Fremantle Dockers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday May 17, 2026 at 1:10 pm

Where: MCG

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Odds

Essendon Bombers vs Fremantle Dockers Preview

Fremantle will look to equal the longest winning streak in club history when it takes on struggling Essendon at the MCG on Sunday. The Dockers produced one of the comebacks of the season last week, storming home with five unanswered final-quarter goals to defeat Hawthorn and extend their winning run to eight matches. Luke Jackson was dominant through the middle and around stoppages, continuing his outstanding campaign. Essendon, meanwhile, remains rooted near the bottom of the ladder after another collapse against GWS, where the Bombers surrendered a 26-point lead during the second half. Their form at the MCG has been particularly alarming, with heavy defeats becoming a recurring theme. Fremantle comfortably won the corresponding fixture last season and enters this clash with enormous momentum, defensive confidence and a midfield currently capable of overwhelming most opponents in the competition.

Rajasthan Royals’ Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi once again stole the spotlight as the 15-year-old produced a stunning 93 off just 38 balls to guide Rajasthan Royals to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in a crucial IPL 2026 clash in Jaipur. The victory kept Rajasthan firmly alive in the playoff race, with the team now needing one more win against Mumbai Indians to strengthen their qualification hopes.Chasing a huge target of 221, Rajasthan looked fearless from the start. Sooryavanshi smashed 10 sixes and attacked almost every bowler, making the difficult chase look surprisingly easy. He first added a quick partnership with stand-in captain Yashasvi Jaiswal before building another massive stand with Dhruv Jurel, who stayed unbeaten with a half-century. Although the teenager missed his century by just seven runs, he had already taken the game away from Lucknow.Former cricketer Ian Bishop summed up the youngster’s brilliance perfectly on commentary, saying: “He is ready.”Earlier, Mitchell Marsh had powered Lucknow to 220/5 with a brutal 96 off 57 balls. Josh Inglis also played aggressively, scoring 60 as the pair gave LSG a flying start with a 109-run opening partnership. Marsh continued the attack even after Inglis got out, smashing boundaries all around the ground and narrowly missing out on a century.However, Rajasthan’s bowlers struggled for most of the innings, with only young spinner Yash Raj Punja managing to create some control with two wickets. Jofra Archer’s disciplined final over also helped limit further damage.The young batter is now closing in on several IPL records, including Chris Gayle’s mark for most sixes in a season. His fearless batting even put pressure on India pacer Mayank Yadav, who conceded heavily during one over.While Lucknow’s playoff hopes ended with the defeat, Rajasthan now head into their final league match with qualification still within reach.

In all likelihood, Kyler Murray will lead the Minnesota Vikings at quarterback in 2026, so long as third-year passer J.J. McCarthy doesn’t score the training camp upset. And according to former Vikings signal-caller Warren Moon, Murray’s emergence to the QB1 spot sounds bittersweet.

Moon sees Murray’s upside, but the familiar commitment questions still follow the Cardinals quarterback.

Moon believes Murray has the talent for the job, but seemed to question his commitment.

Murray’s Vikings Career Still Depends on McCarthy — and Himself?

It’s a familiar critique of Murray.

Moon on Murray

Moon spoke to Kay Adams this week and didn’t hold back, saying about Murray, “He never looks like he’s motivated. Maybe he is inside, but he just doesn’t give you that demeanor. He doesn’t give you that demeanor. I hope he’s learned over the last couple of years, with all the criticism that he’s taken, with the injuries that he’s gone through. I have to give more of myself to my football team.”

“I have to show people more about what I’m feeling and thinking. You have to do that as a quarterback in order to get people to follow you. Murray is so dynamic. He makes so many plays that you go, ‘Wow.’ And then, all of a sudden, he goes through phases where he doesn’t even look like the same guy.”

The Vikings inked Murray in March to a $1.3 million 2026 contract, one of the best-value contracts in sports.

Moon added, “I hope that coming into this situation, he’s re-motivated to show what he can do. He’s been out of the game for a while with injury. He’s going to a great place with a great coaching staff, and he has really excellent weapons to throw the football to. It’s all in his possession if he wants it.”

“But J.J. McCarthy is right there, too. I don’t think he’s going to make it easy.”

The “Aloof” Talker + Study Clause

Moon seems to be buying into a widespread, consistent Murray-themed talker: the guy loves video games too much and doesn’t prioritize football. That narrative has persisted for years, prompting an outside audience to wonder whether Murray cares about his craft as much as his quarterback peers.

The Cardinals even baked a “study clause” into his contract extension four years ago, which drew ire and awe because of its unprecedented nature. After backlash, the Cardinals removed the clause.

So, in conjunction with Moon’s comments, Murray must prove the naysayers wrong. The perception is that football may be a side perk for him; he has to dispel that.

All Up to Murray

In addition to the attitudinal concerns, Murray has a tall task afoot. He’ll be asked to guide a 9-8 team from last year to the postseason, and hopefully, for the head coach’s sake and job security, win a playoff game or two.

Getting kicked out of Arizona — a franchise known for generally poor ownership and operations — in favor of Jacoby Brissett and rookie Carson Beck is flat-out embarrassing. On top of that, the Cardinals are paying Murray to play for the Vikings. It’s how Minnesota finagled the March contract for $1.3 million.

Murray can “stick it to the Cardinals,” as athletes often do to their ex-employers, almost like a grudge match in wrestling. He also has 2027 to consider. A 30-touchdown season with 3,500+ passing yards in 2026 will fetch him around $50+ million per season via his next contract — in Minnesota or elsewhere. A 7-10 campaign with a litany of Murray injuries might lead to more “prove-it” contracts, which Murray basically has right now.

It’s all up to Murray to show that he’s locked and can perform at a Top-15 NFL quarterback clip.

A QB Verdict in August

Of course, Murray must win the job over McCarthy first. Minnesota is selling the competition to anyone willing to buy, creating an atmosphere for McCarthy to pull off the upset if he has the stomach for it. Unlike last year, when McCarthy was handed the QB1 job on a silver platter without impediment, Murray must stave off McCarthy’s advances. McCarthy is young and hungry. Murray is seeking redemption and, from Moon, accusations that he “never looks like he’s motivated.”

In that regard, training camp may be cinema for the Vikings, a winner-take-all duel for the QB1 crown.

Moon played for the Vikings from 1994 to 1996, so he knows a little something about the franchise.

Vikings training camp is 10 weeks away.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

UCLA baseball has been on a dominant run all season long, becoming the first NCAA Division I team to be ranked No. 1 for an entire regular season in D1Baseball and Baseball America polls.

On Tuesday, that dominance was rewarded in the Big Ten end-of-season conference awards. The Bruins claimed a conference-leading nine total selections across the First, Second, and Third Teams along with the Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards.

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Junior shortstop Roch Cholowsky earned the Big Ten Player of the Year Award for the second season in a row. He is the first player in UCLA history to win the award twice in a career and the third player in Big Ten history to win back-to-back Player of the Year awards.

Cholowsky, who led the Big Ten with 21 home runs, is the No. 1 ranked prospect entering the 2026 MLB Draft

Cholowsky was also named an All-Big Ten First Team selection. Six other Bruins were also First Team honorees, which led the conference for most First Team selections from the same team. Alongside Cholowsky, Will Gasparino, Easton Hawk, Mulivai Levu, Roman Martin, Wylan Moss and Logan Reddemann were First Team selections.

Catcher Cashel Dugger was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection, and pitcher Cal Randall was a Third Team honoree. Dugger, Gasparino, Levu and outfielder Dean West were selected for the Big Ten All-Defensive Team, while pitcher Zach Strickland was included on the conference’s All-Freshman Team.

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Lastly, head coach John Savage was named the unanimous Big Ten Coach of the Year. This is the third time in his career he has earned the conference Coach of the Year award, with his first two being in the Pac-12 in 2013 and 2019.

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Savage led the Bruins to a program-record 48 regular season wins and the longest conference winning streak in Big Ten history. Savage and the Bruins will begin the Big Ten Tournament on May 22.

Photo Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

The post UCLA Baseball Dominates Big Ten End-of-Season Awards appeared first on LA Sports Report.

Tim Cone expects the Kings to face a hard-fighting Painters in the semifinals. —PBA IMAGES

When Barangay Ginebra faced Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round, the Gin Kings barely broke a sweat.

“We felt we had something to prove in that game against Rain or Shine in the eliminations. It’s a different feeling now, though,” coach Tim Cone said after his wards punched a ticket to the semifinals with a victory over Phoenix.

“We have to make sure that we stay neither too high nor too low at this point.”

As someone who has seen and accomplished everything in the PBA, Cone knows that once the playoffs begin, previous results no longer matter.

Naturally, he has chosen to forget Ginebra’s 114-90 rout of the Elasto Painters in the eliminations because it is now back to square one in a best-of-seven series.

Cone is also fully aware of how dangerous counterpart Yeng Guiao can be in a long series.

“I just know how hard it is to go up against Yeng,” he admitted.

“They play extremely hard and fast. They compete all the time. They can wear you down in a series because of their depth. There’s a lot of concern when you’re facing a team like that.”

According to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, Ginebra won the last two playoff meetings against Rain or Shine. The most recent came in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Philippine Cup, while the other was during the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup.

Interestingly, the last time Guiao and the Elasto Painters defeated the Gin Kings in the playoffs, they also went on to beat San Miguel Beer in the semifinals of the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.

War of attrition

Rain or Shine eventually captured the title of that conference, marking the last time an independent team won a PBA championship.

But Cone was quick to stress that past results mean little now.

All he knows is that Ginebra faces a war of attrition against Guiao and the Elasto Painters, who are coming off a quarterfinals upset of the mighty Beermen.

“I expect it to be a tough series.”

Game 1 of the semifinals between Cone and Guiao is set for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo, serving as the nightcap to the TNT-Meralco opener at 5:15 p.m. INQ