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The Vikings Are Apparently the 19th Best Team in the NFL

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With the NFL officially kicking off the 2026 season on Thursday night, the power rankings are out and the consensus heading into Week 1 is that the Minnesota Vikings are the 19th-best team in football.

The Vikings Are Apparently the 19th Best Team in the NFL

Across a selection of notable power rankings released this week, the Vikings average about 19th place. That puts them on the outside of the playoffs in the top end of the bottom half of the league – basically where they finished last season.

All of CBS SportsUSA Today, and Yahoo! Sports rank the Vikings 18th. Meanwhile, at NFL.comThe AthleticSports Illustrated, and Sporting News the Vikings come in at 19th. Bleacher Report has Minnesota a bit lower at 21st.

NFL: New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings
Oct 6, 2024; Tottenham, ENG; The Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders line up in the end zone before the national anthems against New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images – Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

The consensus is this can be a good team if Kyler Murray can find form and stay healthy, but until he proves that the expectation is more of the same. Every write-up about the team is mostly about Murray, and it makes sense. A nine-win team last season amidst disastrous QB play, just some stability and league-average play from Murray should be enough to make Minnesota competitive in 2026. However, an injury puts them right back to Carson Wentz and/or JJ McCarthy.

The Vikings have plenty of weapons in their offense to help Murray become a success in Minnesota. Most notably Justin Jefferson, who still managed a 1000-receiving yards season last season but will hope to get back to his dominant best with the aid of Murray. The supporting cast of Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and TJ Hockenson isn’t too shabby, either. If the offensive line can stay healthy this year, Murray should also have solid protection to work behind.

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The Non-QB Factors

Other factors that I have seen alluded to are the Vikings’ rushing attack, which was efficient last season by averaging 4.5 yards per attempt, but as is the way with Kevin O’Connell, often an afterthought in the offensive game plan. The run game was leaned on a bit more during the back end of last season as the Vikings finished with five straight wins. It was out of necessity due to the poor QB play but should have given a lesson on the virtues of a balanced offense.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) runs on the field after the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

The expectation is that Brian Flores will give the Vikings a good defense, because that’s just what he does. There is some valid concern over the lack of star power and experience in Minnesota’s defensive ranks but that has been somewhat remedied with the late signing of Harrison Smith and Kyle Van Noy. On paper the Vikings defense doesn’t look great, but under the guidance of Flores it has every chance to be just that. It will require some development from players this season.

Overall, I believe around 18th-19th place is a fair ranking for where we stand right now with this Vikings team. If Murray is a roaring success it could see a quick rise up the rankings. Similarly, if he’s not or gets injured the Vikings could quickly sink towards the bottom.


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TFC extends unbeaten run to seven games with win over Nashville SC

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After surrendering an early own goal, Daneil Salloi and Emilio Aristizabal scored in the second half to push Toronto FC to a 2-1 win against Major League Soccer frontrunners Nashville FC on Wednesday.

Aristizabal, who subbed in for striker Josh Sargent in the 75th minute, knocked in the game-winner from close range in the box, three minutes into extra time.

Salloi’s game-tying goal was the result of a perfect goal-line cross by substitute Theo Corbeanu in the 72nd minute at BMO Field as Toronto (6-7-11) extended its unbeaten streak to seven games (3-0-4).

Nashville (16-3-5) had its unbeaten streak halted at six outings. This was Toronto’s first win against Nashville since a 2-1 decision at home on Sept. 18, 2021.

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Toronto midfielders Niklas Dorsch and Alonso Coello suffered a communication breakdown with goalkeeper Luka Gavran as Dorsch’s short pass found its way past Gavran for an own goal in the fourth minute.

In the first half, Sargent had three chances to tie the game. Coming off his first hat trick last Saturday, Sargent’s header off a corner was stopped. He then missed wide from close range on a redirect off a pinpoint cross from Richie Larye.

He later hit the side of the goal from inside the box.

Visiting goalkeeper Brian Schwake arrived on the scene with 11 clean sheets in 2026.

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Nashville had a goal called back after right back Reed Baker-Whiting was caught offside in the 49th minute.

Toronto: Visit Orlando City on Saturday.

Nashville: Visit Inter Miami CF on Saturday.

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Masked protesters mistake Pakistan U-19 cricket team for asylum seekers in Portsmouth | Cricket News

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Masked protesters mistake Pakistan U-19 cricket team for asylum seekers in Portsmouth
Pakistan U-19 cricket team

A group of masked protesters gathered outside a four-star hotel in Portsmouth after wrongly believing that a group of asylum seekers had been taken there. They later discovered that the people staying at the hotel were members of Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team.Around 40 people gathered outside the Marriott hotel on Tuesday evening, with many wearing balaclavas or other face coverings. The protesters had reportedly seen a group of men they believed were asylum seekers arriving at the hotel.George Madgwick, a Reform councillor whose ward includes the hotel, was called to the scene to help resolve the situation. He spoke to the hotel manager, who explained that the men were Pakistan’s Under-19 cricketers, who are in England for a tour and are using the Marriott as their base.Madgwick also spoke to the team’s coach and was shown proof that the group were cricketers.“I went out to the protesters and told them, ‘You’ve got it wrong guys, it’s a cricket club.’ They left within a couple of minutes. It was a massively unfortunate incident,” Madgwick told The Guardian.He said the misunderstanding was partly because the coach carrying the players was operated by the same company that had transported asylum seekers who recently arrived in Portsmouth by boat.“From the perspective of the people of Portsmouth who are already on high alert, this was a coach from the same company which was turning up with about 40 foreign men,” Madgwick said.The incident came after tensions rose in Portsmouth following the arrival of asylum seekers on small boats from France. Hundreds of people, many wearing balaclavas, clashed with police in the city on Sunday evening. Police are investigating possible assaults and criminal damage.A day earlier, crowds dressed in black and wearing balaclavas had blocked a road near the port of Dover. Far-right activist Daniel Thomas, who is closely linked to Tommy Robinson, said he had organised both demonstrations.Madgwick said he understood the concerns of local residents but acknowledged that the incident was far from ideal.“It doesn’t make our city look like the welcoming city it is. But it’s reflective of the climate we live in, and where people are deeply concerned about the issues,” he said.Madgwick had earlier posted on Facebook asking people not to go to the hotel after residents contacted him about what they believed were migrants staying there. He later made the post private after it attracted abusive comments.The England and Wales Cricket Board has since contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board to check on the wellbeing of the players and is reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of the team’s tour.Pakistan Under-19 recently played England Under-19 in a four-day Test, losing by 10 runs. The teams are scheduled to meet in a one-day match at Arundel on Wednesday, before another ODI in Guildford on Saturday.Pakistan’s senior men’s team is also currently in England for the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston.

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Mercedes Moné’s boyfriend continues unfortunate 770-day streak following heartbreaking loss on AEW Dynamite

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Mercedes Moné has been on an incredible run following her return to AEW this year. Unfortunately, her boyfriend has not been on an amazing run, as he has yet to win a match on Dynamite in roughly two years.

The Beast Mortos has become a must-see talent on the roster, as he is a luchador who is able to showcase both his athleticism and his strength. He is a member of La Faccion Ingobernable and has gotten to share the ring with several top names on the roster.

The luchador was in action tonight against Andrade El Idolo as he challenged him for the AEW National Championship. This was not a straightforward match for the champion, as he had to work hard for the win. He was able to connect with his Dia de los Muertos elbow and followed this up with the DM for the win.

Andrade has scored yet another win in his campaign to become the greatest National Champion of all time. He is also looking to build up great momentum before he uses his world title match contract.

For Mortos, his Dynamite losing streak continues. He has not won a match since July 2024, when he won a trios match alongside Roderick Strong and Rush. Fortunately, he has found more success on AEW Collision and on Ring of Honor. He even became one-half of the ROH Tag Team Champions alongside Sammy Guevara.

But as seen on social media, the luchador has not been dwelling on his setbacks, as he has celebrated his partner Mercedes Moné’s great success recently. He may have his breakthrough sooner rather than later, as despite losing, he has pushed all his opponents to their limits.

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