Vikings – Page 2 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Stop Bears, Nix Chicago’s Records Attempts

Posted on September 20, 2026September 20, 2026 by David Shama

On a rainy Sunday today in Soldier Field the Vikings went to 2-0 on the season by controlling the much-hyped Bears offense in a 9-3 win that left rival and defending NFC North Division champion Chicago 1-1 after two weeks of the NFL regular season.

The Bears scored 59 points in their season opening over Carolina. Sunday was much different as the Bears struggled, including near misses. They got inside the Minnesota red zone in the third and fourth quarters but couldn’t score touchdowns.

Defensive back Isaiah Rodgers was a hero for the Vikings recovering a third quarter fumble by De’Andre Swift on the Minnesota one yard line. Late in the fourth quarter he blocked a field goal attempt that would have closed the score to 9-6.

The Bears lost glitzy playmaking quarterback Caleb Williams late in the fourth quarter when he fell to the ground after being pursued by Andrew Van Ginkel. It looked like he could have sustained an ACL injury but later came news of a hamstring issue.

Williams couldn’t return to the game on a day when the Vikings frustrated him with different coverage looks and considerable pressure and push including from the defensive line that featured rookie Caleb Banks’ best performance.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell image by David Shama — Kevin O’Connell

If this was a matchup of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Ben Johnson, the Bears head coach and offensive savant, it was a win for the Purple. Williams threw an interception, was sometimes inaccurate and the Bears had numerous offensive penalties.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell called it an “unbelievable” performance by his defense after the game while talking on KFAN Radio.

It was a sloppy Chicago performance on a day that the Bears wanted to pick up on their headline making work in the opener against the Panthers.

The Bears had 560 scrimmage yards (291 rushing, 269 passing) last Sunday with six rushing scores and two passing touchdowns fueling the 59 points. The Bears tied the 2019 Ravens, 1968 Cowboys and 1963 Chiefs for the second-most points scored in a season-opening game all-time. Additionally, the Bears tied with the 1920 Detroit Heralds, 1920 Rock Island Independents and the 1922 Canton Bulldogs for the most rushing touchdowns in a season opening game in NFL history.

With 37 points scored against the Vikings today, the Bears could have surpassed the 1968 Raiders (95 points scored) for the most points scored in a team’s first two games of a season in NFL history. The Bears could have also become first team ever with at least 250 passing yards and 250 rushing yards in consecutive games.

The Vikings offense showed the commitment to running the ball that was an offseason priority and also in the opening win over the Packers. The Vikings had 28 rushing attempts for 119 yards while passing 20 times for 143. QB Carson Wentz looked hesitant at times in throwing down field and the Vikings didn’t have a huge explosive play all day.

Aaron Jones, 31, ran for 105 yards with O’Connell remarking his starting RB is “not going to be a guy that goes 70 but he’s going to find yards.”

On a day with not only rain challenging footing on the field but with wind guests in the air, Vikings field goal kicker Will Reichard came up with makes of 35, 49 and 39 yards. Probably the best field goal kicker in the league, he has now booted 22 perfect kicks.

Not to be lost in the kicking performance is holder Brett Thorson. The rookie punter hadn’t been a holder in college and there was skepticism in preseason about his important role. No problem putting the ball down for Reichard, though, and his punting was a weapon averaging 49.5 yards.

Worth Noting

It will be interesting to see how the Golden Gophers handle practice this week in preparation for their game Saturday that starts at 10 p.m. Minneapolis time in Seattle against Washington. Will coach P.J. Fleck schedule 10 p.m. practices?

The two programs haven’t played each other since 1977 but have a historic rivalry that includes a 17-7 Minnesota loss in the 1961 Rose Bowl.

The Gophers paid Akron $1.2 million for yesterday’s home game Saturday against the Zips, per information obtained from the University of Minnesota through the public records process. For two other nonconference home games this season, Minnesota paid guarantees of $500,000 to Eastern Illinois and $350,000 to Mississippi State.

Next year State will pay the Gophers $350,000 for a return game in Starkville.

It was 30 years ago that the most popular Gopher basketball team of all-time embarked on the 1996-1997 season that ended with a Big Ten title, trip to the Final Four, 31-4 record and final A.P. ranking of No. 3 in the nation. The academic scandal that later resulted in vacating the season record to zero wins will never diminish the memories fans have of that extraordinary team.

Congrats to Twins pitcher Pablo López on being the franchise’s 2026 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. This is López’s third consecutive nomination with Minnesota and fourth of his nine-year career (Marlins’ nominee in 2022).

Each MLB club nominates a player for the award that annually recognizes a player who best represents extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. The annual award is a tribute to Clemente’s achievements and character.

Fans can vote through Sunday, September 27 at MLBTogether.com/clementeaward (site available in English and Spanish)

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Vikings Teammate Would Pay to Watch WR Justin Jefferson

Posted on September 15, 2026September 15, 2026 by David Shama

In the Vikings’ season opening win Sunday, Justin Jefferson performed like…well…Justin Jefferson. The gifted 27-year-old wide receiver had two touchdown receptions and a catch for a two-point conversion in his team’s 39-22 comeback win over NFC North Division rival Green Bay at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Teammates are accustomed to his heroics. “I don’t want to take anything for granted but that’s just kind of what I expect at this point,” offensive tackle Brian O’Neill told Sports Headliners.

Familiarity with Jefferson’s extraordinary standard of excellence, however, doesn’t mean teammates can’t gush over his skills that include route running, sure hands, speed, competitiveness, clutch play and work ethic.

“The things he does on the field, I am astounded (by). I am flabbergasted. He puts my jaw on the floor,” said Andrew DePaola, a team captain and the Vikings’ long snapper.

“I still can’t believe some of the stuff he’s able to pull off but I am just grateful I get to bear witness to that every Sunday…because he is a special, special player.”

Would DePaola pay admission to see his destined to be a Pro Football Hall of Fame teammate?

“Without a doubt, without a doubt. Yeah.”

Teammates refer to Jefferson as the “best in the world” at his position. They also see how much he loves to play.

“He’s just a ball player,” O’Neill said. “He’s just a kid playing football. You can tell he loves it. Loves everything about it. He just enjoys the heck out of playing the game.”

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson — Justin Jefferson image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Jefferson’s first pro season was in 2020. He has totaled 8,572 career receiving yards in 95 games and on Sunday became the third-fastest player in NFL history to reach 8,500 yards. He trails only Pro Football Hall of Famer Lance Alworth (90 games) and Julio Jones (90).

The Vikings lost starting quarterback Kyler Murray early in the first quarter when he was hit in the head by the shoulder of Packer Javon Bullard. The cornerback was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

O’Neill thinks it was “probably a cheap hit” by Bullard. “I gave him a shove. I probably should have gone after him a little bit more, but I knew we were going to have a first down. I didn’t want to have anything offset (that).”

The Packers also had unnecessary roughness called later in the game on safety Evan Williams, but Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson didn’t think Green Bay played a chippy game. “It was a divisional game. It was a tough football game. It is what it is.”

It was a brief debut for Murray, the much-anticipated offseason free agent acquisition. “It sucks but Carson came in and did a good job,” O’Neill said.

Wentz, 33, helped the Vikings rally from a 19-10 halftime deficit. He didn’t receive a lot of reps in training camp and preseason games, but his experience and poise allowed him to meet the moment. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards, with three touchdown throws and an impressive QB rating of 123.6.

Wentz has started 99 games (played in 104) in his NFL career that dates back to 2016. “He’s always on point,” O’Neill said.

Worth Noting

The Vikings outscored the Packers 29-3 in the second half. In Green Bay’s last six regular season or playoff games dating back to 2025 the Packers have been outscored 134 to 56 in the second half. All defeats.

Harrison Smith, the Vikings’ 37-year-old safety who played part-time Sunday after just re-joining the team earlier in the month, told Sports Headliners his offseason debate on whether to continue his career included coming back after the regular season started.

The division rival Bears, who beat Carolina 59-37 on Sunday, are about a touchdown favorite against the Vikings next Sunday in Chicago.

Deepest condolences to Gary Smith and family over the passing of his wife Linda. Gary, the well-known athletics trainer whose career stops included the University of Minnesota, pro sports and the 1980 Olympics, was married to his wife for 64 years.

Rudy Gobert, the Wolves 34-year-old 7-2 center, is playing for his native France in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers and averaging 8.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. Remarkably durable, Gobert has never played in fewer than 70 regular-season games since joining the Wolves in 2022.

Former Armstrong High School and Indiana University basketball standout Race Thompson is playing professionally in Germany for the Skyliners Frankfurt team whose season recently started.

A certain longtime and uber passionate Golden Gophers football fan who refuses to invest time and money attending away games against quality opposition because of likely losses—and also undesirable start times—was amused yesterday. Not only did Minnesota let the air out of the balloon for a big season in their one-sided loss last Saturday to unranked Mississippi State, but on Monday came the news the Gopher-Washington game on September 26 in Seattle will kick off about 10 p.m. Minneapolis time.

The Akron Zips, who lost their opener 38-16 to Wake Forest and defeated Robert Morris 45-10 last Saturday, are about a 24 to 28 point underdog to the Gophers (also 1-1) this Saturday in Minneapolis.

Byron Buxton, the Twins center fielder now out for the season because of hip surgery, finished 2026 having played in 93 games. In 12 years with the club, he has played in over 100 games only three times.

An authoritative Wild source texted yesterday that “all is quiet” on the Quinn Hughes contract extension.

Select Wild training camp practices at TRIA Rink will be open to the public. Fans need to register at www.wild.com/openpractices to attend.

The Wild is joining other organizations in sponsoring the annual Used Hockey Equipment Drive. AAA Movers will collect drop-off boxes with used equipment from select rinks on September 30. Goalie equipment sticks and helmets and other items will be distributed free to hockey associations and individuals at Grand Casino Arena on October 11.

Drop-off locations include Bloomington Ice Garden, Braemar Rink (Edina), Burnsville Ice Arena, CG Logistics Arena (Cottage Grove), Dakotah Sports and Fitness (Prior Lake), Eagan Civic Arena, Hastings Civic Center, M Health Fairview (Woodbury), Minnetonka Arena, Parade Ice Arena (Minneapolis), New Hope Ice Arena, Rogers Activity Center, St. Croix Valley Rec Center (Stillwater), St. Louis Park Rec Center, Tartan Ice Arena (St. Paul) and White Bear Lake Sports Center.

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Gophers Owe Their Fans Redemption After Inept Game

Posted on September 13, 2026September 13, 2026 by David Shama

The University of Minnesota’s embarrassing performance yesterday in a 38-13 loss to Mississippi State was yet another major disappointment to the fan base.

An announced attendance of 48,048 was near capacity at 50,805 seat Huntington Bank Stadium. The game against the Bulldogs was supposed to be a tossup and a Minnesota win would have sent fans home happy while many thought of buying tickets to future matchups.

Instead, the Dawgs jumped to a 28-3 lead with more than four minutes remaining in the first half. The upper deck of the student section headed for the exits, while most of the adults waited until the second half to find something to do less painful than watching the hometown team.

The contest was supposed to be a “barometer” game for a promising Gopher team with several players who had drawn preseason hype. But where was the pass rush led by acclaimed Anthony Smith? Where was the running game that was supposed to be an offseason priority?

Dawgs quarterback Kamario Taylor terrorized the Gophers with his passing (three touchdowns) and threat to make a big play with his legs (86 net yards). As for those Gophers legs, the team had a net rushing total of 13 yards.

The Gophers played a sloppy game, ringing up 12 penalties with a mix of miscues on offense and defense. That is the most in the P.J. Fleck era now in its 10^th season.

Make no mistake, the Gophers were out talented, outplayed and out coached in their game against their SEC opponents. The Dawgs are supposed to be a middling SEC team and with their dominant win made legendary coach Nick Saban look like a prophet. He not only picked the Dawgs to win the game but said recently the SEC has superior depth to the Big Ten where Minnesota had been picked to finish around 10^th in the 18-team league that has won the last three national titles.

Except for the extraordinary 2019 season when the Gophers went 11-2, Fleck’s teams have frequently come up short against opponents that were supposed to be “barometer” games. Last season Minnesota lost to California in another nonconference matchup. The two prior seasons the Gophers couldn’t win against the ACC’s North Carolina.

The Gophers have an abysmal record of late against Iowa, a program that annually contends for the second half of the A.P. top 25 but should be at least an occasional “W” for Minnesota. Dating back to 2014, the Gophers have won twice against their Floyd of Rosedale rival.

And when it comes to the blue bloods, the Big Ten’s best teams, the Gophers haven’t usually shown up. Review last year’s 42-3 loss to No. 1 ranked Ohio State or 42-13 beat down from No. 7 Oregon.

With big games coming September 26 on the road against Washington and October 3 at home versus Michigan, the Gophers will have significant opportunities to prove themselves. They owe themselves and the fans redemption.

Worth Noting

Three Mississippi State assistant coaches are former Vikings players: Jon Cooper, Brandon Fusco and Phil Loadholt.

At today’s Vikings and Packers game at U.S. Bank Stadium the Gjallarhorn will be sounded by franchise legend and 1988 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Alan Page. Longtime national anthem singer for the Wild, John deCausmeaker, a Navy veteran and musician, will perform the anthem before the game.

Former WCCO radio personality Dave Mona — Dave Mona

Congratulations to Dave Mona who is now in his 53^rd season of providing Vikings public address information in the press box.

Minneapolis-based attorney, sports historian and Sports Headliners advertiser Marshall Tanick points out new Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is the fourth former Heisman Trophy winner in the franchise’s history that dates back to the 1961 season. The others are running back Herschel Walker (1989-1991 with the Vikings), quarterback Gino Torretta (1993) and QB Sam Bradford (2016-2017).

Murray won college football’s most prestigious award playing for Oklahoma in 2018 and Sooner alum Bradford won in 2008. Georgia’s Walker won the Heisman in 1982 and Miami’s Torretta in 1992.

The Timberwolves, who open training camp September 22, will have 27 of their 82 regular season games on national TV, plus 15 free over-the-air games on a local channel yet to be announced.

Timely meeting: Wild GM Bill Guerin speaks to the Capital Club this Wednesday, the same day his team opens training camp. He will share his insights on a team that seemingly has entered a “window” as a Stanley Cup contender. The breakfast program will be held at 317 Washington, the franchise’s headquarters in St. Paul. For more information on the breakfast and program, contact Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketing.com

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