The Minnesota Vikings looked to be dead in the water for about three quarters of Sunday’s season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Kyler Murray threw an interception on his first pass in purple and gold and later left the game with a concussion. Green Bay racked up 19 points in the first half as Minnesota’s defense played lethargically. But then, everything changed toward the end of the third quarter and throughout the fourth.
Minnesota scored four consecutive touchdowns, and its defense forced four turnovers (two on downs, one fumble, and one interception) to finish the game as they stormed to a 39-22 victory. Here are five takeaways from Week 1.
What Now at Quarterback?
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) hands off to running back Jordan Mason (27) during the first quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Depending on how Kyler Murray recovers over the course of the week, the Vikings could be facing a big question mark at quarterback for Week 2.
Murray 3/5 passing for 18 yards and the aforementioned interception before leaving the game with a concussion. If he isn’t ready to go by Sunday, Carson Wentz did a lot during the fourth quarter to ensure he remains in the starting role should Murray miss time, but there were certainly some ugly moments mixed in as well. The third down throw that was ended up well right of a wide open Jordan Addison stands out.
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2. Justin Jefferson Is Still Unstoppable
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches the ball while warming up before a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA – Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
No matter what changes with the Vikings year over year, one thing continues to remain the same: Justin Jefferson is still the most dominant receiver in the NFL. The Vikings’ star found the end zone twice on Sunday (marking his first touchdowns at U.S. Bank Stadium since 2024) and hauled in a couple of ridiculous Super-Man catches that simply wouldn’t have been caught if thrown to anyone else.
As long as Justin Jefferson is in the lineup, the Vikings have a chance to do something on offense simply by him being him.
3. Quiet Day for the Vikings’ First Round Pick
Aug 22, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Caleb Banks (95) lines up against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A number of Vikings rookies got some run in the season opener. Jake Golday got a little bit of playing time out there on defense and special teams while Domonique Orange picked up his first career tackle for loss in his NFL debut.
What stands out though is who wasn’t exactly present on defense over the course of the afternoon: first-round pick Caleb Banks. He did get some playing time on the defensive line, and there weren’t many moments you can point to and say he played poorly, but his presence wasn’t all that notable. Hopefully that changes going into Week 2.
4. James Pierre Has a Solid Day but Secondary Still Concerning
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (3) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Jacob Thomas (39) and cornerback James Pierre (23) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It was a solid Vikings debut for cornerback James Pierre, particularly in the second half. He played a hand in the comeback win with a couple of pass defenses and the fourth quarter interception to essentially seal the game for Minnesota.
However, it’s still tough to come away from that game and not have some concern for the Vikings’ secondary this year. Minnesota got torched in the passing game for 387 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown to Christian Watson, who finished the day with six receptions for 147 yards and a pair of scores. The Vikings will be facing plenty of speedsters at wide receiver over the course of the year, particularly next week against a Bears offense that put up 59 points on the Caroline Panthers.
5. Penalties Save the Day
Oct 4, 2024; Watford, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell throws the ball during practice at The Grove. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images – Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
We can drink the purple Kool-Aid all night. That’s our right after a Week 1 win over a division rival. But, penalties going in Minnesota’s favor certainly played a role in this win, particularly with the touchdown drive on their first possession of the first quarter.
The Vikings got a roughing the passer to bail them out of a third down incompletion near midfield. Then, a defensive holding call overturned an interception in the end zone, allowing the Vikings to score on the very next play.
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In total, the Packers were penalized 12 times for 98 yards. That’s not going to happen every week.
Editor’s Note: Information from ESPN helped with this article.
The final pick of the opening round of this year’s NHL Draft has made an excellent first impression with the Ottawa Senators.
Jaxon Cover had three goals and four assists in two games at the Prospect Challenge this weekend in Gatineau, Que., including two goals and two helpers in a 5-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday night.
The London Knights forward was picked 32nd overall by the Senators.
“Going into this, I wasn’t really thinking about points,” Cover said. “Just trying to play my game and keep it simple. The puck kept finding my stick and was just trying to capitalize on my chances and show I can score goals.”
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Ottawa got the 32nd pick back in this year’s draft after originally being docked its selection for the botched Evgenii Dadonov trade in 2022.
The decision was initially levied on Nov. 1, 2023, that the Senators would forfeit a first-rounder in 2024, ‘25 or ’26. Owner Michael Andlauer, who had just taken over the team, fired then-general manager Pierre Dorion that day and named Steve Staios as the replacement for the role.
The Senators switched Cover to centre for Sunday’s game after he played at his usual right-wing position on Saturday.
“He was impressive again. He’s obviously pretty dynamic, as we saw the last two games,” Belleville Senators coach Andrew Campbell said.
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In what was a physical game, Cover showcased his skills.
“He’s so smart, so he doesn’t put himself in compromising positions,” Campbell said. “He knows where he is on the ice. He makes his way around, he’s elusive, he’s shifty, he’s fast. He doesn’t get hit all that often.”
Raised in the Cayman Islands, Cover, 18, didn’t begin playing ice hockey until the age of 13, after playing roller hockey in his youth.
Last season, he had a team-leading 20 goals and finished second with 52 points in 67 games with the Knights.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Deshaun Watson made his first NFL start in 693 days and couldn’t have asked for a better start. The trouble was it lasted only five plays.
Watson had the Cleveland Browns moving on the opening possession Sunday against Jacksonville with a couple of dump-off passes over the middle that put them on the Jaguars 33-yard line. But on second-and-five, Watson didn’t see Foyesade Oluokun slide over in coverage, and the linebacker leaped to pick off the pass.
That was the last of Cleveland’s hopes in what quickly turned into a 34-10 rout. The next time the Browns got a first down, when Watson scrambled for three yards, there was 5:18 left in the first half and the Jaguars already were up 24-0.
“It was just a guy made a play,” Watson said of his interception, one of several mistakes that ranged from a fumble he recovered to a pair of delays that cost the Browns rare opportunities.
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“I saw the coverage that brought the blitz late up the middle. They timed it up very well,” he said. “Got knocked off platform, and 23 made a good play. That’s pretty much how that kind of played out. Then we just couldn’t get our rhythm back. Jacksonville made the plays and got points and we didn’t. And that’s where the game got away.”
Watson finished 16 of 22 for 205 yards, numbers that looked better than they were because of a 46-yard touchdown pass to rookie Denzel Boston with 1:52 left in the game.
It didn’t help that Watson and the Browns faced a team that was No. 1 against the run last season and returned all but three starters. Watson was the leading rusher, picking up 38 yards scrambling when he wasn’t on his back for five of the Jaguars’ sacks.
“It wasn’t all on him,” coach Todd Monken said.
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The Browns were outmatched all day on the suffocating heat of late summer in Florida, a team trying to rebuild against the AFC South champions.
But so much attention was on Watson, who is getting paid $46 million this year from his five-year, $230-million contract he signed with the Browns in 2022. He tore his Achilles tendon against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20, 2024, and then tore it again that cost him all of 2025.
Monken said he saw no hesitation in how Watson delivered his passes, even the interception. His big concern was how slow it took to get off plays. The Browns were trying to pick up points late in the first half when a drive stalled by three straight penalties, include a delay of game.
Later in the third quarter, with the Browns facing third-and-two from the three, Watson couldn’t get off the play in time, then missed badly on a throw to Boston leading to a field goal.
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“Certainly could have called it better,” Monken said. “Certainly could have played better around him. Certainly there’s plays I’m sure he wished he had back. There were things operationally that weren’t clean enough, us getting in and out of the huddle, getting our subs in, being up against it.”
Watson was competing with Shedeur Sanders in training camp until Monken selected as him as the starter three weeks before the first regular-season game.
Monken bristled when asked if he was sticking with Watson for next week’s game at Tampa Bay.
“I’d rather just talk about today because I haven’t had time to look at the tape,” he said. “I’m sure as hell not firing me. I’m not firing our staff. I’m not getting rid of all of our players. So, he happens to be one of 53 and however many practice squad guys we’ve got, and our staff. He’s one of that.
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“We’ll evaluate everything,” he said. “But just to say that emotionally here at the end … I mean, we just didn’t play good enough. Didn’t coach well enough.”
Two road games to start the season might not be the worst thing for the Browns, particularly after Watson riled up Cleveland fans when he said the booing in a preseason loss to Buffalo was disrespectful and “I feel like I get more love in road games than I do home games.”
Watson found one positive out of losing to the Jaguars for the first time in eight games, six of them when he was with the Houston Texans.
“Definitely just a lot of different emotions from just all over the place,” he said of his start in nearly two years. “But I’m happy that I was able to come out healthy.”
The Vikings begin the 2026 season on Sunday, September 13th. Overcoming the Packers will be met with great applause if that were to occur. Is that going to happen?
More fascinating than that basic uncertainty about winning, perhaps, is the collection of queries underneath that very obvious question of being able to take down Green Bay. Consider Minnesota’s top questions moving into the NFC North battle.
The Vikings’ Top 5 Questions for Week 1
Aug 22, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
So, Does Kevin O’Connell Run the Football?
The chatty head coach tends to say all the correct things. In the NFL, though, it’s all about real actions.
Keep in mind, folks, that Kevin O’Connell is wise to emphasize the passing game. Doing so keeps the offense potent (usually). Better yet, WR1 Justin Jefferson is the Vikings’ cornerstone player, so leaning into that reality means tossing the ball plenty.
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What’s needed, though, is some balance. Gobbling up ground yards would go a long way in the Vikings shining in 2026.
Can the Rookies Soak Up Snaps Early?
The rookies haven’t been great lately. The cluster of talent from 2026 is looking to change that.
In particular, there’s defensive tackle Caleb Banks who was a very surprising selection at No. 18. Pad level has become his version of “layered throws” and throwing with “touch.” He’ll look to pursue a different path than QB3 J.J. McCarthy.
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In Week 1, DT Domonique Orange, LB Jake Golday, and FB Max Bredeson appear most likely to do really good things on the football field.
About that Breakout Candidate. Is that Going to Happen?
Many foresee really good things for edge rusher Dallas Turner. I foresee good things for left guard Donovan Jackson. Who else could be included in the mix?
Running back Jordan Mason is a sneaky athlete who could clear 1,000 yards on the ground. Safety Jay Ward has been ultra patient waiting for his true shot to explode. Defensive linemen Ty Ingram-Dawkins, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Elijah Williams have a shot, too. Quite possibly, some others will emerge out of nowhere.
The Vikings’ starting five consists of a pair of 1st-Round selections (LT Christian Darrisaw and LG Donovan Jackson), a 2nd-Round selection (RT Brian O’Neill), a 6th-Round selection (C Blake Brandel), and a free agency signing valued at $88 million across five years (RG Will Fries).
Being good isn’t good enough. The large lads need to be great.
The 29-year-old quarterback isn’t perfect. He is, however, very talented. Much of the intrigue rests in his rare combination of elite scrambling ability alongside some tremendous accuracy. In theory, working with Justin Jefferson alongside the rest of the skill means that Murray is about to explode.
BERLIN, GERMANY – SEPTEMBER 13: Team USA celebrates its world title beneath the “World Champions” display at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Germany 2026 final between France and USA at Berlin Arena on September 13, 2026 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Milad Payami/FIBA via Getty Images)
Team USA are world champions once again.
The Americans defeated France 97-79 in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup final in Berlin to win their fifth consecutive World Cup title and their 12th overall.
It was not an easy start for the defending champions. France raced into a 14-point lead, but the USA fought back before taking control in the second half.
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Breanna Stewart led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Caitlin Clark also played a key role as the Americans pulled away in the third quarter.
The victory gives Team USA 36 consecutive wins at the Women’s World Cup and extends their unbeaten run in major international competition to 20 years.
The fifth straight title also puts the USA alongside the Soviet Union, who won five consecutive women’s World Cup championships from 1959 to 1975, as the only teams to achieve that feat.
Manchester United were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City at Old Trafford but Michael Carrick was furious at the decision to allow Erling Haaland’s controversial goal.
Michael Carrick was left furious at the decision to allow Manchester City’s controversial derby day winner at Old Trafford, saying he “didn’t get” the official’s reason for giving Erling Haaland’s goal.
Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position as he attempted to connect with a cross, distracting Lisandro Martinez and goalkeeper Senne Lammens. While Fernandez didn’t touch the ball, it left Lammens out of position when Haaland’s effort at the back post flew past him.
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Carrick was staggered at the decision to give the goal, which had initially been ruled out for offside. Haaland was being played onside by Patrick Dorgu, but the controversy centred on Fernandez’s role and whether he was interfering with play.
“At the time I hadn’t totally seen it. But the explanation I got was he wasn’t interfering with play, so I just don’t get it. I really don’t get it,” said Carrick.
“I can’t understand how they’re trying to help referees and putting so many layers behind them with so many people, so many bodies, so many screens, and so many whatever offices they are to try and come up with the right decisions.
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“If that’s how the rules are interpreted, that you’re not interfering with play because you’ve thrown yourself at the ball six yards from goal and pretty much nearly touched it, which then Licha has to react from.
“On top of that, the line was a bit dubious where they drew the line to start with. It’s worrying if that’s really how the game’s seen by those who are officiating it.”
Carrick said he hadn’t held any further discussions with referee Michael Oliver over the decision and gave short shrift to the idea of complaining to Pro Refs over why the goal was allowed.
“I don’t know how you can. I don’t know where you go. I don’t really know how you go and get another explanation on that one, I have to say,” he said.
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Told Pro Refs sometimes apologise for decisions they get wrong, Carrick said: “Yeah, that’d be great, that. Yeah, I can’t wait for that one.”
A hilarious moment was caught on camera after top seed Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton in the men’s singles final at the 2026 US Open. When Shelton’s return sailed beyond the baseline on match point, Zverev initially failed to realise that he had won his maiden US Open title. However, a section of the German crowd quickly alerted him, prompting the jubilant Zverev to raise his arms in celebration with a broad smile on his face.
HE DIDN’T REALIZE HE’D WON
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Alexander Zverev exorcises his 2020 demons and defeats Shelton 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 to win his first US Open title! pic.twitter.com/f0Cnl2xvgI
Zverev won his second major championship and disappointed a crowd that was desperate to see the first Grand Slam title by an American man since 2003.
Zverev finally broke through in the majors by winning this year’s French Open and followed up by adding the title in New York that he so painfully let slip away in 2020.
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The No. 1 seed in a Grand Slam for the first time, he capitalized on Shelton’s shaky start in his first major final, played a nearly flawless tiebreaker on serve and then turned back a comeback attempt in front of a crowd that feverishly cheered Shelton on – including girlfriend Trinity Rodman, who made it from her own soccer match in Washington before the finish.
“I know today 99.9% of the people wanted Ben to win, so I’m very sorry first of all,” Zverev said during the trophy presentation. “But second, it was an incredible atmosphere to play in. Even though I know that the crowd was against me, the crowd was always incredibly fair.”
Zverev also reached the final at Wimbledon, falling to Jannik Sinner, and became the No. 1 seed in New York when the top-ranked Sinner had to withdraw with a knee injury. He made the most of opportunities that came when Carlos Alcaraz had to sit out two majors and Sinner missed another, after they played in three straight Grand Slam finals in 2025.
“I think God has seen how hard we worked, how much we suffered, how much pain we went through and I think 2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before,” Zverev said, addressing his team.
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(With AP Inputs)
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Man United conceded a controversial winner against Manchester City that decided the derby at Old Trafford
Lisandro Martinez has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after Manchester City’s controversial winner against Manchester United. City went down to ten men in the first half after Phil Foden kicked out at Bruno Fernandes.
However, it was the visitors who took the lead when Josko Gvardiol’s cross was deflected into the path of Erling Haaland who scored. Initially, the flag went up to indicate that it was offside. However, VAR overruled the on-field decision as they ruled that Haaland was onside and that Enzo Fernandez did not touch the ball in the centre.
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Martinez was the defender in the centre who was closest to both Fernandez and Haaland. Speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, he was left fuming with the officials. The Argentina international said: “I think it was offside. What I can’t understand is the rules.
“He was there. I went to him because he was there in front of me. That is why Haaland was free at the back.
“I want to be calm now, I want to control myself. It is so hard because you lose the derby, you lose three points at home.
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“Every season they come to our club, explain for one hour, one hour 30 minutes the rules and they look so confident with that. Then after that, five, six people doing this kind of mistake in the Premier League. It’s the best league in the world, you have the best teams in the world, the best players in the world.
“Now we have to go home with this injustice.” He then continued: “It was difficult because I had two players and I was 50/50 so I had to take the first man.
“As simple as that. As simple as that. Let’s see what they have to say now.”
After the decision, the Premier League Match Centre wrote on X: “VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for offside – and determined that Haaland was in an onside position and recommended that the goal was awarded.
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“The VAR also deemed that while in an offside position, Fernandez didn’t play the ball.”
After firing down another unstoppable serve to win the match, Zverev returned to the baseline ready to start the next point – only to be told by his team the match was over.
As the realisation sunk, the 29-year-old broke into a broad and slightly surprised smile before raising his arms above his head.
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The scenes were in direct contrast to his defeat by Thiem in 2020, where a tearful Zverev said during the trophy presentation: “I wish one day I can bring the trophy home”.
Now, his wish has come true.
“We went 30 years without winning a Grand Slam title and now we’ve won two in three months,” said Zverev.
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“2026 is the outcome of all the years that happened before.”
Zverev’s parents were not there for his last final in Flushing Meadows, but his father and coach Alexander senior was on the sidelines this time.
As well as paying tribute to his father, Zverev also thanked his mother for her support following his diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child.
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“When doctors tell you that life and sports will be very limited for that child, it takes a very strong mother to say: ‘my son will be whatever he wants to be’,” Zverev said.
“My mother is the most important and strongest person I know.”
‘He was in a trance-like state’
World number two Zverev has enjoyed his best year on the Tour, reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open and the final at Wimbledon alongside his French Open and US Open successes.
He has been aided by injuries to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who swept the majors in the past two seasons, but a strengthened mentality and dedication to fitness has also helped.
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“There is no-one as fit as Zverev, he is right up there,” former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“You can argue about Alcaraz and Sinner, and Novak [Djokovic] and Rafa [Nadal] when they were in their prime physically, but Zverev is right up there as one of the best athletes to play the sport.”
Zverev was taken to five sets in his first two matches, with both finishing in the early hours of the New York morning.
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He was two points from defeat in the first round, but rallied, played his way into form and did not drop a set from the third round until the final.
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Faced with a partisan crowd against Shelton, Zverev did not buckle. He kept his emotions deliberately in check and, even though he lost the third set, never loosened his grip on the match.
“I’m so admiring of his strength of character and the zen-like state he’s been in since the very beginning of the match,” former British number one Annabel Croft.
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“The most extraordinary thing was – and I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed it – was that he didn’t realise he had won.
“It was so bizarre, but it was like he was in a trance-like state while he was playing.”
Alexander Zverev is now a two-time Grand Slam champion [Getty Images]
His serve – one of the best on the ATP Tour – was key against Shelton.
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He won 39 of 42 points behind his first serve in the first two sets and did not face a break point until the middle of the third.
Shelton broke at the end of the third set to extend the match but the American made little impact in return games from then on, winning only four of 20 receiving points in set four
Victory means he will now have the world number one ranking in his sights – he trails Sinner by 1,810 points with two Masters 1000 events and the season-ending ATP Tour finals to come.
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But Zverev is a polarising figure in tennis.
In October 2023, he was given a penalty order and fined 450,000 euros (£392,000) for bodily harm against his ex-partner, who he shares a child with.
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Zverev denied the claims and lodged an objection against the order. A trial in May 2024 was discontinued after a week and there was a separate settlement between Zverev and his ex-girlfriend.
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At the time, the court told BBC Sport: “The decision is not a verdict and it is not a decision about guilt or innocence.”
Zverev was also accused in October 2020 of physical violence and controlling behaviour by another former girlfriend. He maintained his innocence from the start and there were no legal proceedings.
Match of the Day pundits Danny Murphy and Wayne Rooney take a look at Lewis Dunk’s incredible long-range strike in Brighton’s 5-0 win against Coventry, praising the defender for his technique.
Scandinavia (4/11 favourite) maintained his unbeaten season with a victory in the Group 1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger at The Curragh Racecourse on Sunday afternoon.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Ascot Gold Cup and previous Betfred St Leger winner, led home a Ballydoyle-trained Coolmore-owned trifecta.
Queenstown (20/1) and Wayne Lordan were second to the Ryan Moore-ridden winner, while Jan Brueghel (6/1) was third in the hands of Ronan Whelan.
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Scandinavia, a son of Justify, is still only a four-hear-old and now has nine successes to his name and has won over €2 million in prize money.
Aidan O’Brien hinted after the race that this may be the colt last run of the season and that that he would have the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot as his main target next year.
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