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Sports

How the Vikings Can Be a Super Bowl Contender in 2026

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Blake Cashman and Brian O'Neill take the field before a Vikings game against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) and offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) walk onto the field before a divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Nov. 23, 2025. The veteran leaders prepared for another NFC North showdown as Minnesota attempted to secure an important late-season road victory against Green Bay. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

Oddsmakers do not expect the Minnesota Vikings to be a top-tier Super Bowl contender in 2026, but they also didn’t expect the Seattle Seahawks to win the chip at this time last year. Therefore, we have a path outlined for Minnesota to follow in Seattle’s footsteps.

Minnesota’s ceiling depends on five clean outcomes.

It’s all pretty basic stuff, but, you know, it just has to come true.

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What Must Break Right for the Vikings

A list of reasons why the Vikings can win it all.

Christian Darrisaw sizes up against the Eagles during a Vikings game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Minnesota Vikings tackle Christian Darrisaw lines up against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sep. 19, 2022, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Darrisaw continued establishing himself as one of Minnesota’s cornerstone offensive linemen during an early-season primetime matchup, helping anchor the Vikings’ protection schemes against Philadelphia’s aggressive defensive front on the road. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Clean Bill of Health for the Offensive Line

Every starting offensive lineman for the Vikings, not named Will Fries, missed games last year. Every single one:

  • Christian Darrisaw (7 missed games)
  • Donovan Jackson (3 missed games)
  • Ryan Kelly (9 missed games)
  • Brian O’Neill (3 missed games)

The main guts of Minnesota’s starting offensive line missed over 25% of the season. The group ended up as the NFL’s 18th-best, according to Pro Football Focus, even with injuries. The working theory suggests that so many injuries probably won’t rattle the trenches again.

This will be vital because new Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray has missed about 25% of all career starts due to injury.

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No Serious Defensive Regression

These are the Vikings’ defensive rankings per EPA/Play under Brian Flores since 2023:

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

That’s right — the Vikings’ showcase the NFL’s second-best defense overall with Flores in charge. Make no mistake: whatever happens with Minnesota’s offense in 2026, it already has a defense good enough to win a Super Bowl. That factoid has been bogged down over the last three seasons by offenses that either didn’t reach their ceilings or flamed out at the worst possible time (i.e., Sam Darnold in Week 18 and the 2024 playoffs).

If Flores’s defense doesn’t take a bizarre step back, Minnesota has the defensive personnel and coaching staff to win it all.

Run the Damn Football

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Under Kevin O’Connell, Minnesota ranks as follows per rush playcalling percentage:

Vikings’ Rush Play Percentage,
Since 2022:

2025: 19th
2024: 18th
2023: 30th
2022: 30th

That’s not acceptable. No Super Bowl-winning team runs the ball as a complete afterthought. The Vikings don’t have to quite “establish the run” like the Mike Zimmer days, but they must run the ball at a balanced clip and avoid treating that section of the offense like a pain in the butt.

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O’Connell always says he wants to “run to set up the pass,” and then doesn’t run the ball very much. For the Vikings to win the Super Bowl, they must call rushing plays more than the 19th-most in the NFL.

Top 12 or Top 15 QB Performance from Kyler Murray

The Vikings finished 9-8 last year while trotting out the NFL’s fifth-worst quarterback group per Dropback EPA/Play. To put it plainly — and to confirm your eye test — J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer were not very good. They formed the fifth-least efficient quarterback trio in the sport.

Kyler Murray plays against the Seahawks during a Cardinals home game in Glendale.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray reacts during a home matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sep. 25, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Murray continued leading Arizona’s offense in a key NFC West contest while attempting to keep the Cardinals competitive during the middle portion of the regular-season schedule. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Well, if Minnesota grabbed nine wins with the NFL’s 28th-ranked quarterback unit, the Vikings now need Murray to climb into the Top 12 or Top 15. This would suggest an 11-6, 12-5, 13-4, or 14-3 season.

Murray doesn’t have to be Tom Brady at all times, but he cannot play like 2025 Max Bromser. Murray must find the happy medium, playing turnover-free and dynamic football.

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The Minnesota Sports Curse Ceases

The last time a men’s professional sports franchise won a championship in Minnesota? Thirty-five years ago. Since the Twins won the World Series in 1991, Minnesota’s four major men’s pro teams have combined for 130 completed championship attempts (full seasons from the Twins, Vikings, Wild, and Wolves) without another title.

One hundred and thirty failed seasons.

This will sound bizarre, so bear with us: the state of Minnesota is due for a championship based on sheer math and probability. In fact, Minnesota sports teams should rattle off something like 5-10 in a row to make up for the championship-less oddity. That’s how probabilities usually work.

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Boston has 13 championships since 1992. Minnesota has zero. Minnesotans are really just asking for one. Why not the Vikings in 2026?

Symbiosis

Perhaps you’ve felt this way during Vikings football games over the last decade: when one thing is working, another is not. For example, Kirk Cousins played his best ball as a Viking in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and that was right about the time when the defense could no longer be trusted.

Brian Flores speaks with reporters after a Vikings win over the Cardinals during the 2024 season.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores speaks with reporters on Dec. 3, 2024, following Minnesota’s narrow win over the Arizona Cardinals two days earlier. Flores discussed the Vikings’ defensive performance and ongoing adjustments as Minnesota continued building momentum during the regular season under his aggressive and blitz-heavy defensive philosophy. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

In 2025, Flores’s defense turned out to be great, but Minnesota has to play Brosmer at quarterback.

Things like that.

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Maybe once for the Vikings, all sides can jell. For example, Murray and the offense cook, Flores’s defense does Floresian defense things, and Will Reichard maintains his All-Pro form.

The Vikings are wildly overdue to showcase full synergy. They can win the Super Bowl if they do it in 2026.


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

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Dave Allen makes feelings clear on his corner throwing in the towel to stop Hrgovic fight

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Tonight in Doncaster, trainer Jamie Moore threw in the towel in the third round to prevent Dave Allen from taking any further punishment at the heavy hands of Filip Hrgovic.

Allen was a significant underdog on paper, and once the opening bell rang, events unfolded exactly as many expected, even despite a vocal home support at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Hrgovic outgunned the Brit from the off and did not relent until the towel came in, with Allen throwing wild and landing little in return. Though he looked disappointed in the moment, the hometown hero said post-fight that he trusts his trainers, Moore and Nigel Travis, implicitly.

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“These two, they’ve been with me through it all. I love them to death. If Jamie and Nige say enough’s enough, enough’s enough. Thank you for looking after me. If Jamie and Nige think the stoppage is the right choice, it’s the right choice.”

Allen made no excuses for his loss, saying that Hrgovic is simply too good for him, and he thanked his fans for the support regardless.

Few will argue with Moore’s call, particularly given Hrgovic’s reputation as one of the division’s most durable heavyweights, making the chances of Allen landing one decisive shot increasingly slim. His decision, and it would not have been an easy one with the vocal crowd, allows his man to drop back down a level and fight another day.

Moore’s decision comes at a time amid ongoing debate on whether or not Ben Davison and team should have pulled Fabio Wardley out of his gruelling battle with Daniel Dubois earlier than the referee stoppage in the eleventh round. Tonight, Allen’s team wanted to leave nothing to chance.

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Atlanta scores late to pull even in draw vs. Orlando

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MLS: Atlanta United FC at Orlando CityMay 16, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Atlanta United FC forward Emmanuel Latte Lath (9) moves up field in the second half against the Orlando City SC at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

Jay Fortune’s 86th-minute goal cancelled out Griffin Dorsey’s first-half opener as visiting Atlanta United played Orlando City to a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Fortune’s goal, his second in as many matches, secured a point for Atlanta (3-8-2, 11 points) and snapped its two-match losing streak at home.

With just minutes to go in normal time, Atlanta — who appeared destined for a second straight loss — pulled level. Matt Edwards used some brilliant footwork on the right side of the Orlando scoring area before passing it into the box to Fortune. Fortune’s first-time effort sailed over Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau to make it 1-1.

Atlanta had a chance to take all three points from Orlando in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, but Crepeau dove to parry away Matias Galarza’s attempt from just beyond the box.

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That provided some consolation for Orlando (4-8-2, 14 points), who opened the scoring in the 18th minute.

Martin Ojeda’s pass between the legs of Atlanta centerback Enea Mihaj found Ivan Angulo charging into the scoring area. Despite Tomas Jacob’s attempts to defend, Angulo passed the ball in front of the goal to Dorsey, who tapped it in to give Orlando a 1-0 lead. It was Dorsey’s second goal of the season.

Orlando City had several opportunities to extend its lead but failed to capitalize, ultimately settling for a point after conceding Fortune’s late goal. They were also forced to take Robin Jansson out at halftime after the Orlando centerback and captain appeared to suffer a knee injury.

Angulo was credited with an assist on Dorsey’s goal, which was his team-high seventh of the season. Edwards’ assist on Fortune’s goal was his first of the year.

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Orlando and Atlanta will play each other again on Tuesday in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.

–Field Level Media

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IPL 2026 | ‘Jasprit Bumrah coming in as captain a fantastic move’: Kris Srikkanth

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IPL 2026 | 'Jasprit Bumrah coming in as captain a fantastic move': Kris Srikkanth

Jasprit Bumrah (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

NEW DELHI: Former India captain, 1983 World Cup winner and former selector Kris Srikkanth believes Mumbai Indians have rediscovered the high energy and dominance they are known for, even in the absence of captain Hardik Pandya. Pandya has missed Mumbai Indians’ last three matches.Sidelined with a back spasm, Pandya first missed Mumbai Indians’ home clash against Lucknow Super Giants on May 4. He then sat out the game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Raipur despite travelling with the squad. In his absence, Suryakumar Yadav led the side. Pandya also did not travel to Dharamsala for Mumbai Indians’ six-wicket win over Punjab Kings, where Jasprit Bumrah became MI’s third captain this season after Suryakumar missed the game following the birth of his child.Bumrah’s maiden outing as Mumbai Indians skipper turned into a memorable one as he guided the team to a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings.Under Bumrah’s leadership, Shardul Thakur picked up four wickets, while Deepak Chahar claimed two as Punjab Kings posted 200/8. Mumbai Indians then chased down the target in 19.5 overs, powered by Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 75 off just 33 balls.Srikkanth felt there was a fresh energy within the side.“It is a good call. I think Bumrah coming in as captain is a fantastic move,” said Srikkanth on his YouTube channel.Srikkanth also felt there was a noticeable shift in the team environment in Hardik’s absence.“Definitely, definitely there is some issue. Definitely, the team’s mood was more lighter. The team suddenly looks more united overall.”“Surya too didn’t play in that match. He was not playing the match for personal reasons, he did not play the match. But whatever it is, the young side suddenly like you are saying. They come and Deepak Chahar is bowling well. That Raj Angad Bawa fellow is bowling decently. Everyone is performing. Tilak Varma performed brilliantly. Ryan Rickleton smashed and dominated with aggressive shots early on.”“Overall, like you said, the will to win, they will to succeed. Even though they were down in the dumps, they showed the will to succeed. That is the key in cricket. That energy was there,” said Srikkanth.Srikkanth added that Bumrah looked relaxed on the field and backed the bowlers with confidence.“And if you look at the bowling too, even Bumrah was smiling continuously. He was giving lots of confidence to the bowlers. And I thought Bumrah’s captaincy made a huge difference to people like Deepak Chahar. And of course Shardul Thakur, because otherwise, they bowl loose deliveries and leak runs. Today, everyone took wickets,” said Srikkanth.Mumbai Indians will next face Kolkata Knight Riders on May 20, with Pandya expected to return and lead the side again.

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I’m having some babies after this

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A three-time WWE Women’s Champion is gearing up to lace up her boots again. She recently revealed that her upcoming fight will be the last of her iconic career.

Ronda Rousey is all set to make her return to the cage for the first time in nearly a decade. She will face Gina Carano on May 16, 2026, marking her first MMA match since her consecutive losses to Amanda Nunes and Holly Holm in UFC.

The fight between Rousey and Carano will take place under Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and will be the first-ever MMA event to be streamed live on Netflix.

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The two women are expected to headline the show at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

During the ceremonial weigh-in, ex-WWE star Ronda Rousey was asked by Ariel Helwani if she would consider coming back after this weekend.

The Rowdy One ruled out the possibility, saying she’s planning to have more babies in the near future.

“I’m having some babies after this. I’m busy the night after the fight.”


Ex-WWE star Ronda Rousey addresses potential UFC return

Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, former WWE Superstar Ronda Rousey said she had to convince her husband, Travis Browne, ahead of her MMA return.

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She also promised her spouse that this would be the last time she would step inside the cage.

“To the UFC, to fight? No. I promised my husband that this is the last one. He is the one that I have to convince to get on board with this promoter sh*t after. He’s not going for the fighting at all after this. Honestly, I want to get started having babies again right away. I want to have at least two more, if I can. I can’t be taking detours anymore. This is the peak. I can’t go higher than this. This is the dream fight and the absolute pinnacle for me. This is the perfect way to end it.”

Rousey and Browne are proud parents of two kids. The couple is planning to have more children in the future.


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