There’s prevailing skepticism about the Vikings for 2023 after they set an NFL record by winning 11 one-score games last season. But a former NFL team executive told Sports Headliners he believes the Vikings may approach their 13-4 regular season record from 2022 when they were NFC North Division champions.
The authority, who spoke on condition of anonymity, looks at the 2023 schedule and sees five playoff teams facing Minnesota in the first seven games. The Vikings must play the 2023 Super Bowl teams, the Chiefs and Eagles, plus the Bucs, Chargers and 49ers between September 14 and October 23.
“If they get through the first half of the season 5-3, then I think they’re in really good position to win 11 or 12 games, and repeat as division champs,” the source said.
Except for the game against the Eagles, the Vikings face those playoff teams in Minneapolis. In addition to the playoff clubs, Minnesota’s first eight opponents include road games at the Panthers, Bears and Packers.
The Vikings will play five primetime matchups, starting with the second game of the season against the Eagles on a Thursday night, September 14. Minnesota also plays two Monday night games at home, October 23 and November 27, against the 49ers and Bears respectively. Sunday night games have the Vikings at the Broncos November 19 and at home December 31 with the Packers. “That tells me the league office still thinks the Vikings are the top dog in the NFC North,” the NFL insider said about the primetime schedule.
The Lions are a betting favorite to be NFC North Division champions and dethrone the Vikings. Detroit improved late last season, winning five of its last six games on its way to 9-8 record. The Vikings and Lions won’t play each other until Sunday, December 24 and then on a date to be determined in the last week of the season. They place twice in the last three weeks of the season.
In addition to their annual Thanksgiving game, the Lions have four primetime games including the NFL season opener against the Super Bowl champion Chiefs on the road Thursday, September 7. It’s a surprising matchup to the source and a game where the Lions figure to be double-digit underdogs. “I thought the league blew it on that one,” the source said while suggesting an Eagles-Chiefs showcase made a lot of sense.
Worth Noting
Zach Ojile, the native Minnesotan and undrafted free agent trying to make the Vikings roster, has learned to be flexible about what positions he plays. He’s adapting to fullback with the Vikings after being both a tight end and running back at UMD. With Spring Lake Park High School he was a veer formation quarterback, running back, linebacker and free safety. In 2016 he was named second team All-State quarterback by the Associated Press.
It will be interesting to see if Beth Goetz, former Gophers interim (2015-2016) athletics director, succeeds Gary Barta as Iowa AD. Goetz, who has been Iowa’s deputy director of athletics, is now interim director and positioned to be a favorite for the permanent job. Barta, who attended Burnsville High, will leave his position Aug. 1.
Former Wild forward Andrew Burnette, recently named head coach of the Predators, is a “players coach.” That’s how Bill Robertson, a former executive with the Wild and now commissioner of the Untied States Hockey League, referred to Burnette in an email. “I think he has a real chance to be successful if given time to put his club together.”
Belated happy birthday wishes to Minnesota hockey legend Lou Nanne who turned 82 last Friday.
New Gophers women’s basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit speaks to the Capital Club breakfast group Wednesday at Mendakota Country Club. Plitzuweit has an impressive resume and might be Minnesota’s best women’s basketball hire since Brenda Frese more than 20 years ago. More information about the Capital Club is available from Patrick Klinger, patrick@agilemarketingco.com
The basketball program has the potential to be the first money-maker among women’s sports at Minnesota. Last season the Gophers ranked No. 35 in Division I attendance, with a total of 57,003 and averaged 3,353 fans per game. A great Gopher team could draw three to four times that average.
The pickleball craze continues in the United States with the website Pickleheads.com claiming it’s the fastest growing participation sport in the country. The site says Utah, Arizona and Minnesota have the most interest in pickleball, and Minneapolis is tied with Portland for the most pickleball locations behind Seattle and Denver. Reportedly, 8.9 million people played last year.
Caution: the ease with which beginners can enjoy success makes the sport almost unique but don’t be physically unprepared. The orthopedics industry has found a new revenue stream from pickleball, an activity that attracts players of virtually all ages including seniors.
Mike Nealy, the Minnesota native and U of M alum, is the new chief executive officer of USA Pickleball, the governing organization for the sport. The longtime career of Nealy includes positions with the Wild and college football bowl games in Arizona.
Dave, you forgot to mention Florida as pickleball hot spots. Naples has hosted a national championship competition for about seven years now. I live 3 miles from an elementary school that has 52 courts. It is where the national championship is played. They have to use numerous other courts in Naples to accommodate players. Naples says this tournament brings in some 4 million dollars during the week it is played. Just thought you should know.