Adelaide Oval will play host to Saturday’s
Round 11 AFL game between Port Adelaide Power and
Carlton Blues. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Port Adelaide Power heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Port Adelaide Power vs.
Carlton Blues
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Port Adelaide and Carlton meet at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night with both clubs desperate to build momentum after inconsistent starts to the season. Carlton finally snapped its seven-game losing streak last week with an upset win over the Western Bulldogs, producing an immediate response following the club’s coaching change. Patrick Cripps led from the front with a trademark contested performance as the Blues secured their first victory over the Bulldogs in four years. Port Adelaide, meanwhile, continues to struggle for consistency after another loss to Gold Coast in Darwin. While the Power have dropped five of their last six matches, several of those defeats have come narrowly against quality opposition. These sides split their meetings last season, with Port dominating at Adelaide Oval before Carlton responded emphatically later in the year at Marvel Stadium.
It’s no secret that Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick who won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, was a part of the league’s All-Rookie first-team that came out on Wednesday night.
But other bright, young stars of the NBA were named alongside him.
Charlotte Hornets’ Kon Knueppel, Flagg’s Duke Blue Devils teammate in college and runner-up to the Rookie of the Year Award, as well as Philadelphia 76ers’ VJ Edgecombe were also named unanimous All-Rookie First Team members alongside Flagg following voter tallies.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg dribbles during the second half of an NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas on April 5, 2026.(LM Otero/AP)
Rounding out the first team were San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward. All five players received votes for this year’s Rookie of the Year Award.
There were 100 ballots tallied for the teams, and Harper was seven votes shy of another unanimous selection. He had seven second-team votes, while Coward had 29 first-team votes and 67 second-team votes for a total of 125 points.
Flagg narrowly beat out Knueppel, who went three picks to the Hornets after his Duke teammate, earning 56 first-place votes compared to Knueppel’s 44 in that tally. Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe finished in third place with 96 points (93 third-place votes), while San Antonio Spurs’ Dylan Harper and Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward also got third-place votes.
Flagg is the second-youngest player to ever win the award, as the 19-year-old was only behind Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James.
For most of the season, it appeared Knueppel was going to win the award, but multiple voters came out publicly and said Knueppel’s Play-In Tournament struggles factored into them changing their minds for Flagg.
Knueppel had just six points on 2-of-12 shooting in 34 minutes during the Hornets’ electric 127-126 overtime win over the Miami Heat at the start of the tournament. Then, in the 121-90 loss to the Orlando Magic, he shot 3 of 11 for 11 points (4 of 5 from the free-throw line as well), and he posted a minus-26 while on the court.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg watches from the bench during the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on April 3, 2026.(Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
Flagg noted being keen on what Knueppel was doing during the year, showing love to his fellow rookie.
“I see the games every night. I can check the box scores,” he said about watching Knueppel’s stat lines closely, per ESPN. “I think also I was watching Kon just because that’s one of my brothers.
“We had such a good connection, and we’re gonna be there for each other for the rest of our lives. I was watching him as a fan, as well, but there was obviously that competition at the same time.”
Flagg averaged 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game this year for the Mavericks. Those numbers had him among some NBA greats, as Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Luka Doncic were the only rookies before Flagg to average at least 20 points, six rebounds and four assists since the NBA-ABA merger, ESPN pointed out. Flagg also led all rookies in scoring this season.
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As for Knueppel, he dropped 18.5 points per game with 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists, but while Flagg had him beat in those categories, he reset the rookie 3-pointers made record with 273. That number also led the NBA this season. Knueppel was also a key piece in the Hornets getting into the Play-In Tournament to begin with, finishing 44-38 before being eliminated by the Magic.
But neither of them are still in the NBA Playoffs, as Harper has excelled alongside his Spurs teammates, most notably Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s Rookie of the Year two seasons ago, and Stephon Castle, the Rookie of the Year during the 2024-25 campaign.
San Antonio Spurs combo guard Dylan Harper shoots a 3-pointer over Portland Trail Blazers PG Jrue Holiday at Moda Center.(Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images)
Edgecombe also played a vital role in the 76ers toppling the Boston Celtics in a first-round shocker, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series in Game 7. Unfortunately for Edgecombe and his teammates, the New York Knicks swept them in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
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The All-Rookie second-team consists of New Orleans Pelicans’ Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears, Sacramento Kings’ Maxime Raynaud, Utah Jazz’s Ace Bailey and Toronto Raptors’ Collin Murray-Boyles.
AEW’s women’s division is immensely talented. Tony Khan’s leadership has made the Women’s World Championship and the TBS Championship two of the most prestigious belts in all of wrestling. Many women have held these titles so far, and many more will in the coming years.
All Elite Wrestling introduced the TBS Championship in October 2021. Mercedes Mone won it by defeating Willow Nightingale at Double or Nothing 2024. She had a record-breaking 584-day reign. However, she lost it back to Willow on Dynamite: New Year’s Smash, which took place on December 31, 2025.
Willow Nightingale successfully defended the TBS Title many times. She was having a dominant reign. However, a disaster recently struck. The 32-year-old vacated the belt due to a shoulder injury on this week’s Dyanmite. She was going to compete in the 2026 Owen Hart Tournament and lock horns with Alex Windsor in the quarter-final at Double or Nothing. She can no longer participate, and her match with Windsor has been replaced by Mina Shirakawa vs. Athena.
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Fans on X were devastated by this news. Willow is one of the best babyfaces in the modern wrestling era, and her absence will truly be felt on Dynamite and other AEW shows.
See their reactions below:
Fans react to Willow Nightingale relinquishing the TBS Championship. (Images via X/@KXNGAO) Fans react to Willow Nightingale relinquishing the TBS Championship. (Images via X/@KXNGAO)
Former AEW TBS Champion Willow Nightingale recently gave a shout-out to the New Day
Willow Nightingale recently appeared on Marking Out. In this conversation, the 32-year-old praised former WWE World Tag Team Champions, the New Day.
“I also personally would like to do a shoutout to New Day because when we talk about a Willow Nightingale kind of character of like… breaking down a stereotype, and embracing the positive and joy. Black joy and being carefree and whimsical. I think they helped people accept that and be like, ‘Yeah! That is cool. Right on’ and can kind of make way for me to also be like, that is what I have been dishing out,” she said.
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods recently left the Stamford-based company, and rumors suggest they are AEW-bound. Only time will tell what the future holds for them.
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An Indianapolis Colts helmet rests on an equipment case during a road matchup against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The scene was captured on Dec. 1, 2024, as Indianapolis continued its late-season playoff pursuit while preparing for an AFC contest in Foxborough during the closing stretch of the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images.
Let’s get this out of the way: the Minnesota Vikings probably won’t trade Jordan Addison. But if they did, Fansided believes the Indianapolis Colts come calling.
The idea is speculative, but the IND roster logic is easy to follow.
Minnesota recently exercised Addison’s fifth-year contractual option, extending his contract with the franchise through the end of 2027.
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Indianapolis Could Evidently Use Another Proven WR Weapon
Would the Vikings really trade Addison this summer?
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison walks toward the sideline after a road game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Nov. 24, 2024, in Chicago. The Vikings struggled to find offensive rhythm during the divisional matchup as Addison and Minnesota searched for late momentum against a physical Bears defense in a tightly contested NFC North battle. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images.
Fansided: Colts Should Call about Addison
Jake Beckman sized up one player per team for trade targeting, and for the Colts, Addison evidently made the most sense.
He explained, “The Colts are in a very tough spot right now. IF (and that’s a big IF) Daniel Jones is healthy enough to play at the beginning of the season, he’s going to need his receivers to get open early and often. The problem is that right now, his wide receivers are Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.”
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“That’s not remotely close to the caliber of a receiver room that they’re going to need… and there isn’t really anyone out there who is going to give that wide receiver room a shot of adrenaline. However, the Vikings did just sign Jauan Jennings.”
Any Addison trade fodder this offseason has been fan- or media-driven. There’s no credible intel to suggest a deal is in play.
Beckman added, “If they wanted to move on from Addison, who has had a litany of legal issues, they absolutely could. It’s unprecedented for a team to trade a player right after they exercise his fifth-year option, but this is a pretty unique situation that both teams are in.”
The Trade Price?
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With an extra caveat that the Vikings probably won’t trade Addison per the Beckman theory, the club could likely ask for a 2nd-Rounder if so. Addison’s off-the-field turmoil has prevented him from rising to superstardom, and he also hasn’t topped 1,000 yards in a season through three years.
Without Addison, Minnesota would lean into Jennings, who signed a couple of weeks ago as the 2026 WR3. Such a trade would also leave Minnesota thin at the wide receiver spot, which is why it signed Jennings in the first place — to add more firepower for Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy in addition to hedging the bet against an Addison or Justin Jefferson injury.
If the Vikings wanted to trade Addison, they likely would’ve done it before or during April’s draft. As of May, he’s probably a Viking for the 2026 campaign and beyond.
In fact, the man can start asking Minnesota’s brass about a contract extension as early as now.
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The Case for Trading Addison
Addison’s trade value is undeniably rooted in his talent. He’s young, productive, and has only completed three seasons in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) warms up before a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. Addison went through pregame drills and stretching exercises as the Vikings prepared for another important late-season NFC contest in front of the home crowd during the playoff push. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The complication, however, lies with his off-field record. In 2023, Addison was cited near Minneapolis for driving 140 mph in a 55 mph zone. He attributed the excessive speed to a dog emergency, and the incident was quickly resolved with minimal league intervention.
A year later, a more serious incident popped up. Addison was found passed out and drunk in his car on a Los Angeles freeway, an event that resulted in a three-game suspension.
Further malarkey arose during the 2025 season. Addison missed a team walkthrough in London, prompting head coach Kevin O’Connell to bench him for a quarter in the subsequent contest. Three months later, he was arrested for trespassing and removed from a Florida casino. While that case was later dismissed, it nonetheless contributed to a growing pattern of mischief.
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The Colts’ WR Room
Beckam is onto something — the Colts arguably need one more weapon for Jones. Here’s the full WR group before summer minicamp:
Alec Pierce
Josh Downs
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Deion Burks
Ashton Dulin
Anthony Gould
Laquon Treadwell
Eli Pancol
Coleman Owen
Sahmir Hagins
E.J. Horton
Raylen Sharpe
Burks is a rookie with some upside, but aside from him, it’s a Pierce-Downs-heavy ticket.
Otherwise, the Colts could explore a free-agent wideout, such as Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel, or DeAndre Hopkins. Brandon Aiyuk, too, could be gettable via trade from the San Francisco 49ers.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches from the sideline during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Aug. 23, 2025, in Cincinnati. Steichen evaluated his roster and game management decisions as Indianapolis continued preseason preparations ahead of the upcoming regular season while facing the Bengals on the road. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images.
MSN’s Mahima Roy noted on Diggs as a Colts option last week, “The Colts might make a move for the former New England Patriots star player Stefon Diggs. They have not officially weighed in on the trade talks concerning Stefon Diggs. Ever since the New England Patriots released Stefon Diggs in February 2025, the 32 year old wide receiver has been linked to many rival teams.”
“There have also been strong rumors of the Patriots re-signing Stefon Diggs for the upcoming season but nothing has been confirmed yet. While the 2024 season was a tough one for Stefon Diggs as he sustained a brutal ACL tear, the popular wide receiver bounced back on the field in the next season after he signed a $63 million deal with the New England Patriots.”
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Diggs is arguably the top free-agent WR on the market after being found not guilty of assault charges in Massachusetts earlier this month.
Sportsbooks expect the Colts to win eight or nine games in 2026. It’s the same forecast for Minnesota.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
The Ospreys chief executive did, however, admit redevelopment work will continue after the team begins the new campaign.
“It will continue at some point afterwards,” he added, “but it will be complete for what we need for the season before the first game.”
Also speaking on Radio Wales Breakfast, Swansea City Council leader Rob Stewart denied suggestions the relationship between the rugby club and the local authority had been strained over recent months.
“We’ve been good partners all through this process and actually trying to get sense and clarity out of the WRU all through this,” he said.
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“We’ve had to navigate some really difficult times, a process which we’ve challenged legally and still stand ready to take legal action to the courts if necessary because of the way in which the WRU has chosen to move forward.
“This unfair process that the WRU commenced we still believe is one I think that is now dead in the water and ourselves, the Ospreys, Lance can move forward now with redeveloping the ground so that the fans in Swansea and south west Wales can come and enjoy first class rugby at St Helen’s.”
Iran’s national football team attended visa appointments in the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday, ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The entire squad applied for Canadian visas, with some players also submitting applications for US entry.
The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play all three of their group-stage matches in the United States.
They are set to face New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June in Los Angeles, before taking on Egypt in Seattle five days later. Access to Canada would be required if they progress to the knockout rounds.
An Iranian football federation official confirmed the whole squad applied for Canadian visas. Some players who had not applied for US visas before the Iran war also submitted applications in Ankara.
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Donald Trump previously suggested it would not be appropriate for Iran to play before appearing to change his mind (Reuters)
Foreign-based Iranian players joined the squad in Ankara before travelling to the team’s training camp in Antalya on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, the official added.
Iran are holding a pre-tournament camp in Turkey after the domestic league was suspended following US and Israeli strikes on the country, which began on 28 February. This left many players short of match fitness.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei has been preparing his squad in Antalya, as most domestic-based players went seven weeks without competitive football during the league’s suspension.
Despite early qualification for the expanded 48-team World Cup, preparations have been overshadowed by uncertainty over travel and security arrangements following the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel.
US president Donald Trump suggested back in March that it would not be appropriate for Iran to play in the World Cup “for their own life and safety”.
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However, Fifa president Gianni Infantino has maintained that Iran will play in this summer’s tournament, with Trump then appearing to change his tune as he told reporters: “Let them play”.
Iran’s football federation had previously stated US visa applications for the team would be handled in Turkey after discussions with Fifa.
Iran are due to play Gambia in a friendly on 29 May before Ghalenoei names his final 26-man World Cup squad by Fifa’s 1 June deadline.
Aston Villa won the Europa League with a dominant 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the final. The English side controlled the match from start to finish. Freiburg showed resistance in spells but were ultimately overwhelmed by Villa’s intensity and tempo. Aston Villa secured their first continental trophy in 44 years. After his previous triumphs with Sevilla and Villarreal, Villa manager Unai Emery claimed the fifth Europa League title of his career.
In the Champions League, PSG exceptionally opened their training centre to the media, 10 days before the final against Arsenal. Luis Enrique highlighted the club’s support and the positive mindset within his squad.
In cycling, Jhonatan Narvaez won the 11th stage of the Giro in Chiavari, securing his third stage victory of the race.
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In the NBA, the Spurs–Pelicans game in Paris featuring Victor Wembanyama was officially confirmed for January 14, 2027.
Finally, in tennis, tensions are growing ahead of the French Open over prize money distribution, with top players planning action during Friday’s media day.
Emery delivered Villa’s first piece of silverware for 30 years after superb first-half strikes from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia were added to by Morgan Rogers’ close-range finish after the break.
The Spaniard wrote his name in Villa folklore after securing the club a first European title since 1982, and the win means he has now won the Europa League five times – three with Sevilla and one with Villarreal before this latest success.
Unai Emery celebrates following the win (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)
All of the pre-match build-up centred around whether Emery thought he was ‘king’ of the competition.
The Villa boss was coy in admitting the title, but Cash definitely thinks he is, saying: “The king set the game plan out for us. He clearly is because he’s won it five times.
“He’s so demanding and passionate. We had a meeting today and he told us exactly how the game was going to go, and what they were like.
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“He does that much work on the opposition, we knew what positions we were going to get into. The reason why we play like that is because we know what we are doing on the pitch. I’m going to enjoy this tonight.”
Villa have been knocking on the door in Europe over the past couple of seasons after reaching the Conference League semi-finals in 2024 and last eight of the Champions League in 2025.
Cash feels the experience gained from that hurt was important in their victory.
He added: “It’s a big moment for the club. We’ve made history after a long time. The last few years we’ve nearly got there but here we executed the game plan well and looked like we’d played these games before – so happy.
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“When you experience these moments as a team it makes you stronger, definitely.
“To get to this point, last year we got beat in the quarter-finals, the year before in the semis. But I think we gained experience from it as a team.”
Aston Villa fans seemingly outnumbered the Freiburg contingent inside Besiktas Park and Cash heaped praise on the support.
Cash was grateful for the support in the stadium (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)
“It actually felt like we were playing at home to be honest,” he said. “Incredible. When we were on the way to the stadium, we actually went past loads of Villa fans and that’s when it hit.
“Europa League champions, all the hard work we’ve done to get to this point and the conversations as to how we’d think it would go. The game plan was good, we executed it well and the fans were unbelievable.
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“The fans deserve it so much. What Ginny (John McGinn) said, they’ve been to Wigan away, Rotherham away at the lows and have now seen the club at a high.”
Villa will continue celebrations on Thursday, returning to Birmingham to parade the trophy around the city.
The annual charity clash between an England XI and a Rest of the World side is due to take place at West Ham’s London Stadium on Sunday, May 31, but its ITV presenting duo face a scheduling conflict with the Champions League final
Daniel Orme Trends Writer
10:25, 21 May 2026
Arsenal’s Champions League final showdown with Paris Saint-Germain has thrown this year’s Soccer Aid into turmoil. The annual charity clash between an England XI and a Rest of the World side is due to take place at West Ham’s London Stadium on Sunday, May 31.
While the match itself remains unaffected, the presenting lineup for the occasion could be a different matter entirely. Dermot O’Leary and former Arsenal star Alex Scott are both scheduled to play a prominent role in the ITV broadcast, yet discussions are ongoing with bosses regarding their absence from rehearsals due to the Champions League final.
Arsenal are set to face PSG in Budapest the day before, with both Scott and O’Leary eager to be in attendance. However, Soccer Aid bosses are keen to have both presenters back in the UK to ensure their participation in rehearsals.
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Speaking on Radio 5 Live, O’Leary said: “We are in negotiations at the moment. It’s not looking good. Ticket is ok. The problem is my contractual obligation to Soccer Aid. The Champions League final is the day before – it’s a huge problem for me.”
When asked whether he required rehearsals, he replied: “I don’t.” He went on to suggest that “everyone else involved” needed a run-through. O’Leary added: “Also I’m doing it with Alex Scott, one of the Arsenal greats.
“No. Right now, we’re in a perilous state of negotiation, put it that way, which I don’t think we’re going to win.
“It’s just people getting nervous understandably about us not getting on said flights and not making it. And also they want to rehearse on Saturday, bearing in mind I’m a producer of Soccer Aid.”
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Despite his reluctance to attend rehearsals, O’Leary was careful not to understate the significance of the event itself: “It’s quite a responsibility to be there. I do take it quite seriously – it’s for charity.”
Several high-profile names have already been confirmed for this year’s Soccer Aid. Former England internationals Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney, Theo Walcott, Jill Scott, Steph Houghton and Toni Duggan are all set to feature, with celebrity support coming from the likes of Paddy McGuinness, Owen Cooper, Angry Ginge and many more.
Meanwhile, Edwin van der Sar, Leonardo Bonucci and Jordi Alba will line up alongside Chris O’Dowd, Maisie Adam and Simon Neil for the World XI. The dispute over Soccer Aid rehearsals comes in the wake of Declan Rice’s rallying call for as many Arsenal supporters as possible to make the journey to Budapest.
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Speaking following the Gunners’ semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, he said: “Bring it on, bring it on, I’ll be ready. I want every Arsenal fan out there, 200,000 of you, come out. Let’s try and do it because we’re going to need all the support, all the energy and let’s make it special.”
Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Stu Voigt announces the team’s third-round selection at the NFL Draft, with Apr. 25, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin capturing the on-stage moment as fans reacted to the No. 102 pick during the second night of draft festivities. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason-USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
I always qualify my schedule analysis by quoting Hall of Fame Coach Bud Grant, who said, “It’s not so much who you play but when you play them.” Meaning injuries, weather, a team’s momentum, and other factors will determine how tough a game becomes.
The Bills may be a juggernaut when the Vikings host them on Monday night, November 9. Or Josh Allen could be out injured and Buffalo struggling by then, whereas Jayden Daniels and the Commanders could be rolling and back to their 2024 final four form in Week 16.
And the Vikings could be playing in a windy snowstorm on their late-season visit to New England for a difficult short-week Thursday night game on December 10 against the defending AFC champs. And it could be extremely cold and windy at the Meadowlands on January 3 against the Jets (which I experienced several times on trips to play the Jets or Giants).
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Diamond Breaks Down a Busy Week for Minnesota
What we definitely know is the two opening games — home vs. Green Bay on September 13 and at Chicago on September 20 — are key early divisional tests for a Vikings team that will likely be breaking in Kyler Murray as the starting quarterback and a lot of rookie draftees, such as first-round DT Caleb Banks (if he’s healthy). The Packers are likely to face Murray in his first Vikings start, but the Vikings will hope game-wrecking defender Micah Parsons is not yet back from his torn ACL suffered last December.
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) celebrates the victory over the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
I think the Vikings need to split those two games at least, then get on a roll over the next four games (at Tampa Bay, home vs. Miami, at New Orleans, and home vs. Indianapolis).
Then comes a challenging four-game stretch that includes road games against division foes Detroit and Green Bay, the home Monday nighter against Buffalo, and the Mexico City game against the 49ers. That will be three 2025 playoff teams plus the Lions (who should return to the playoffs with their fourth-place schedule, one of the league’s easiest based on last season’s records).
The Vikings have six of their first 10 games on the road, including the neutral-site game in Mexico City. The better news is that five of the last seven games are at home, with seemingly very winnable games against Atlanta, Carolina, and Washington, along with tough divisional matchups vs. the Lions and Bears.
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If the Vikings can get through the first 10 games at .500 or better, they’ll have an excellent chance to finish with between 10 and 12 wins. If it’s 10 wins, they should earn a wildcard spot. And in what’s expected to be a closely contested NFC North, I think 12 victories will win the division (the Bears won it last year at 11-6 when all four teams had winning records).
The Vikings’ schedule certainly appears not to be as difficult as last year’s, considering it’s a third-place schedule vs. a second-place schedule in 2025 and that they are crossing over to face the seemingly weaker NFC South and AFC East compared to last season against the AFC North and NFC East (again with the proviso that some teams not expected to contend always do and vice versa).
It’s a mild surprise but fun for the team and fan base that despite missing the playoffs last season, the Vikings still landed four prime-time games — Monday November 9 vs. Buffalo, Sunday November 22 vs. San Francisco in Mexico City, Thursday December 10 at New England and Sunday December 20 vs. Detroit (as long as that game isn’t flexed to an afternoon game if the league feels there’s a more attractive Week 15 game).
There’s also a decent chance the regular-season finale at home against the Bears could be for the division title, in which case the game could be flexed to Sunday night.
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I’ll make my season predictions in early September after I see how the team is coming together in training camp, especially during the joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens, which the Vikings will host on August 19-20 before their preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 22.
On 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota
It’s a nice coup for Minnesota and the Twin Cities to be voted on by NFL owners to host the 2028 NFL Draft. It’s amazing to see how the draft has turned into an almost Super Bowl-like spectacle for a city to host, as we’ve seen in recent years in places such as Pittsburgh (over 800,000 people in attendance this year), Green Bay, Detroit, and Nashville.
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner poses after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
It’s so different from my years working in the NFL, when all drafts took place in New Yo,rk and there was far less media coverage and fan interest.
I like the plan of the Minnesota Sports and Events (MSE) group in collaboration with the Vikings to have the main stage around U.S. Bank Stadium and have other draft-related events across the Twin Cities, including the possibilities of the Mall of America (which hosted activities during Super Bowl LII in 2018) and the Vikings Lakes development where the Vikings facility is located in Eagan.
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This will be another great opportunity to showcase Minnesota and the Twin Cities in a positive light, especially in contrast to highly publicized negative events, such as George Floyd and its aftermath, and the recent ICE surge. We do have to hope for nice late-April weather for the local folks and the thousands of visitors attending outdoor draft events.
Kudos to Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, the team’s staff, and MSE for their work on the bid and for being awarded the 2028 draft, which will create tremendous economic impact for the state and Metro area.
Farewell Tour for Aaron Rodgers
The egomaniac QB has returned to the Steelers on a one-year deal worth up to $25 million with incentives. He’ll reunite with new Pittsburgh coach and Rodgers’ former Packers coach Mike McCarthy.
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Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) leaves the field following an AFC Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
The 42-year-old Rodgers told the media this will be his final NFL season. I’ve had more than enough of his off-field antics (darkness retreats, stringing teams out before signing, etc.), and I say good riddance to Rodgers after this season.
Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond
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