Yes, the countdown is around 10 weeks until Minnesota Vikings regular season football, and yes, we have 10 things for you to know before that September 13th game at home against the Green Bay Packers.

To set the table, sportsbooks expect the Vikings to win just eight or nine games this year, so if they plan to reach the playoffs — and maybe even win a game in the tournament — they must beat the odds, as they did in 2024.

Kyler Murray’s Discount Deal Takes the Cake for Vikings Offseason

1. The Cardinals Are Paying Kyler Murray to Play for the Vikings

The Cardinals are shouldering most of Murray’s salary while he plays for the Vikings. Minnesota is only responsible for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million, a fraction of the $36.8 million Arizona remains obligated to pay under Murray’s previous contract.

The unusual financial arrangement allows the Vikings to acquire a former top draft pick for the cost of a backup or a player competing for a starting role, while the Cardinals bear the substantial financial burden. It remains to be seen if Murray can revitalize his career in Minnesota, but from a financial perspective, it’s an exceptionally favorable deal for the Vikings. It might be the best deal in professional sports right now.

2. Half of All Vikings Starters Are Scheduled to Hit 2027 Free Agency

Vikings football could look a whole lot different in 2027. These men are scheduled to test the open market next offseason:

• Blake Brandel (OL)
• Blake Cashman (LB)
• Andrew DePaola (LS)
• T.J. Hockenson (TE)
• Theo Jackson (S)
• Aaron Jones (RB)
• Jauan Jennings (WR)
• Jordan Mason (RB)
• Kyler Murray (QB)
• Brian O’Neill (OT)
• Ivan Pace Jr. (LB)
• Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
• Ryan Van Demark (OT)
• Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
• Jay Ward (S)
• Carson Wentz (QB)

3. The New General Manager Is Tight-Lipped

Minnesota hired Nolan Teasley at the end of May, and at his introductory press conference, reporters asked him in-depth questions. He replied with short, diplomatic answers.

His predecessor, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, often divulged the team’s roster construction process. Those days are over. Teasley will never say too much.

4. Vikings Have Best WR1-WR2-WR3 Setup since Moss-Carter-Reed

In no way, shape, or form are Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings better than Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed. But they’re the best threesome since Moss-Carter-Reed. The Vikings finally emphasized the WR3 spot this offseason. The days of Bisi Johnson, K.J. Osborn, and Jalen Nailor — decent at best — third wide receivers are paused.

5. Brian Flores Will See the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa — in Separate Games

In Week 4, Flores will face his former employer, the Miami Dolphins. That franchise unceremoniously fired him five years ago, setting in motion an ongoing lawsuit against the league. Flores can get redemption on the field against Miami at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 4th.

Eight weeks later, the Vikings face the Atlanta Falcons, a team that could be led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who called Flores a “terrible person” in the summer of 2024.

A double dose of Flores revenge.

6. No Western U.S. Games

The westernmost points on Minnesota’s 2026 schedule are Mexico City and Minneapolis, believe it or not. If you live Vikings games in California, Colorado, and Arizona, you are out of luck this year — unless the Vikings reach the playoffs.

7. Remember the Alternate Year Theory

A brief history of the Vikings’ performance over the last dozen years:

It’s time for another playoff trip, by the numbers.

8. EDGE Depth Is Different This Time

In years past, the Vikings would roll into September with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner. Or, before that, Danielle Hunter, Za’Darius Smith, and D.J. Wonnum. After the Greenard trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota no longer has a go-to OLB3, unless rookie Jake Golday or second-year DT Tyrion Ingram Dawkins are ready for the job.

The OLB setup on paper before training camp now looks like this:

• Andrew Van Ginkel
• Dallas Turner
• Bo Richter

Perhaps the Vikings will sign a free agent like Jadeveon Clowney and show they mean business.

9. For Now, There’s No Harrison Smith, C.J. Ham, or Adam Thielen

Ham and Thielen retired — like expressly. Smith simply hasn’t returned. No matter how you dice it, the Vikings won’t feel the same. The beloved veterans are gone.

Smith could return for one more hurrah to ease the pain, but you know, he actually has to do that at some point.

10. No Longer an Old Team

Minnesota booted Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave off the roster. Ham and Thielen walked away. Smith’s future is up in the air.

In one offseason, Minnesota went from an old football team to a young one:

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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

Women’s T20 World Cup Final Live Score: England will look to end Australia’s dominance in women’s T20 cricket when the two teams meet in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 final at Lord’s on Sunday.

A full house of 31,180 fans is expected at the iconic venue as England aim to maintain their remarkable record in World Cups at home. The hosts have never lost a World Cup on home soil, having won all four previous editions staged in England.

Standing in their way are six-time champions Australia, who are chasing a record-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title.

Familiar rivals meet again in final

This will be the fourth Women’s T20 World Cup final between England and Australia. The two sides previously met in the title clashes in 2012, 2014 and 2018.

England are chasing only their second Women’s T20 World Cup crown after winning the inaugural tournament in 2009, which was also played at Lord’s. Current England head coach Charlotte Edwards captained the side to that historic triumph.

Australia, meanwhile, have dominated the competition over the years, winning the trophy in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2023.

Australia enter final with confidence

Australia will head into the final full of confidence after their commanding performances throughout the tournament.

They also hold a psychological advantage, having handed England a 16-0 Ashes whitewash in Australia at the start of last year, including a 3-0 sweep in the T20I series.

Under new captain Sophie Molineux, Australia have continued their winning run. Molineux has also been their leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets in six matches.

The defending champions booked their place in the final by knocking India out at Lord’s before defeating West Indies by eight wickets in the semifinal.

Australia were boosted by the return of Phoebe Litchfield from a quadriceps injury during the win over India. However, the fitness of experienced all-rounder Ellyse Perry remains a concern after she retired hurt with a quadriceps injury in the semifinal against West Indies. Perry, though, trained on the eve of the final.

England boosted by captain’s return

England have received a major lift with captain Natalie Sciver-Brunt returning to form at the perfect time. She played a match-winning knock of 75 off 47 balls against South Africa to help England reach the final.

Opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge has also enjoyed an outstanding tournament. She is currently the leading run-scorer in the competition with 294 runs and will once again be key to England’s hopes of lifting the trophy in front of their home crowd.

Terence Crawford has been comparing the defensive attributes of fellow boxing legends Floyd Mayweather and Pernell ‘Sweet Pea’ Whitaker.

Mayweather had the elite honour of retiring with a perfect 50-0 record, with his defensive abilities leading to world title wins in five divisions, rarely ever getting hurt in the process.

Before Mayweather ruled the sport throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Whitaker was viewed as the best defensive fighter in boxing, becoming a four-division world champion and only losing one fight by stoppage in his final bout when he was far past his best.

Another fighter known to have high level defence is Crawford, and in a resurfaced clip he has reflected on the abilities of the two boxing legends, revealing that he ranks Mayweather above Whitaker.

“I think Floyd had the best defence in boxing history. Yeah definitely [better than Whitaker]. I’d say he got more defence than Sweet Pea because he got hit less.

“Sweet Pea had more head movement so was better at slipping punches and making you miss, but Floyd on defence…he’d make you pay catching counter, catching slipping, hitting you with shots you don’t see. That’s where Floyd is the master, hit and don’t get hit.”

There is plenty of evidence to support Crawford’s view, as the biggest shot that Mayweather ever took arguably came in his 2010 clash with Shane Mosley, where he had to show off those defensive skills by recovering from a powerful right hand.

He evaded any further major punishment to stay on his feet and went on to win the bout by a wide unanimous decision, and ended his career having never been knocked down in the ring.

England captain Harry Kane has urged his teammates to be prepared for a stern examination when they take on co-hosts Mexico in a blockbuster FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash at the iconic Estadio Azteca. The knockout encounter, scheduled for July 6 at 5:30 AM IST, pits an unbeaten England side against a Mexican team that has enjoyed a flawless campaign on home soil.Mexico head into the contest in outstanding form, winning all four of their matches to top Group A. They have scored eight goals without conceding once, thriving on quick transitions while making full use of the high-altitude conditions in Mexico City.England, meanwhile, have remained unbeaten and booked their place in the Round of 16 with a 2-1 victory over DR Congo. While the Three Lions have also scored eight goals during the tournament, questions remain over fatigue after a demanding club season.Speaking ahead of the high-stakes encounter, Kane acknowledged the scale of the challenge and insisted England must be ready to adapt if they are to progress.“It is going to be a really tough game for many different reasons. First of all, Mexico are a really good team. Then all these other little details are going to make it even harder, but from our point of view it’s another opportunity to build some momentum. It’s kind of the peak time to do that,” Kane said, as quoted by Goal.com.The England skipper added that knockout football often requires teams to find different ways to win.“So there are no excuses in a game like this. We know it will be tough. We know we might have to grind it out. We might have to find a different way to win. But that’s what the World Cup is about. Everyone’s looking forward to the occasion, the stadium, the atmosphere, and ultimately putting yourself in those games. That is why you train like we do. That’s why you play football—it is to have these epic games,” he added. Kane has been one of the standout performers of the tournament, scoring five goals to lead England’s attack. The striker is also on the verge of history, having netted five goals in FIFA World Cup knockout matches. One more strike would see him equal Gary Lineker’s England record of six World Cup knockout goals.

India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi came under scrutiny for his spell as the Men in Blue lost the second T20I of the five-match series against England. The clash was played at the Emirates Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester on Saturday, July 4.

Chasing 191, England’s Jacob Bethell top-scored with an unbeaten 76 off 46 balls, hitting five fours and as many sixes, as the hosts secured a four-wicket victory with an over to spare. For the Men in Blue, Bishnoi endured a disappointing outing, bowling three back-foot no-balls and conceding 60 runs in his four-over spell. In the process, he leaked 29 runs in the 17th over of the innings, which all but took the game away from the visitors.

As Bishnoi endured a disappointing outing, here we look at the five worst bowling figures by an Indian bowler in a T20I match.

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#5 Ravi Bishnoi (0/60)

At No. 5 on the list is Ravi Bishnoi, who registered one of the most expensive bowling spells by an Indian bowler in T20Is. The leg-spinner conceded 31 runs in his first three overs during the match against England in Manchester on July 4. He returned to bowl the 17th over with England needing 49 runs from the last four overs.

Jacob Bethell then took Bishnoi apart, smashing three sixes and a four in an over that cost 29 runs. The leg-spinner eventually finished with figures of 0/60 from his four overs as England sealed a four-wicket win with six balls to spare while chasing 191.

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#4 Arshdeep Singh (2/62)

The Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati hosted the second T20I of the three-match series between India and South Africa on October 2. Put into bat, the hosts posted 237/3, with Suryakumar Yadav top-scoring with 61 off 22 balls.

In response, David Miller smashed a century for the Proteas. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 106 off 47 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes, but could not guide his side over the line as they fell 16 runs short, finishing on 221/3. For the hosts, Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets but conceding 62 runs in his four-over spell.

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#3 Varun Chakaravarthy (1/64)

India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy endured a disappointing outing when the Men in Blue hosted England in the second semifinal of the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5. Riding on Sanju Samson’s 89 off 42 balls, India posted 253/7.

In reply, England’s Jacob Bethell starred with 105 off 48 balls, but his efforts went in vain as the visitors fell seven runs short, finishing on 246/7. Meanwhile, Chakaravarthy proved expensive for the Men in Blue, conceding 64 runs while taking the lone wicket in his four-over spell.

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#2 Yuzvendra Chahal (0/64)

On February 21, South Africa and India faced off in the second T20I of the three-match series at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Asked to bat first, India posted 188/4, with Manish Pandey (79* off 48) and MS Dhoni (52* off 28) scoring fifties.

Chasing 189, skipper JP Duminy remained unbeaten on 64 off 40 balls, while Heinrich Klaasen smashed 69 off 30 as the hosts secured a six-wicket victory with eight balls to spare. Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal had a forgettable outing for the visitors, as Duminy and Klaasen took him apart, with the leg-spinner conceding 64 runs in his four-over spell.

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#1 Prasidh Krishna (0/68)

India and Australia faced off in the third T20I of the five-match series on November 28, 2023, in Guwahati. Put into bat, the hosts posted 222/3, with Ruturaj Gaikwad starring with an unbeaten 123 off 57 balls, including 13 fours and seven sixes.

In response, Glenn Maxwell stole the show with an unbeaten 104 off 48 balls, smashing eight fours and as many sixes, as Australia clinched a five-wicket victory off the final ball. Meanwhile, seamer Prasidh Krishna had a forgettable outing, returning 0/68 in his four-over spell, which remains the worst bowling figures by an Indian bowler in a T20I.