SO MUCH FOR A WEEK OFF: We were going to give Sports Take a rest for Thanksgiving, and then the Vikings demanded a change in that plan by their abysmal loss in Green Bay and the prospect of playing the NFL’s best defense this Sunday in Seattle. And there’s the J.J. McCarthy mess, too. On further review, we also realized there’s too much going on in the days ahead not to provide a road map through the pathways of Minnesota sports. Our game plan is a bit different than usual. We’ll go deep on the Vikings, preview the Gophers-Badgers football Border Battle, share a handful of highlights and help you navigate a path through a super-sized weekend of sports. I hope you find this as useful as good Thanksgiving leftovers! — Howard Sinker
PERIL IN PURPLE
“The errors made by McCarthy and those by his teammates aren’t comparable. And that’s where the risk of locker room fractures could begin for the Vikings over the final six weeks of the regular season. The NFL’s most expensive roster at $350 million for 2025 is in the process of being sacrificed for the development of a quarterback who clearly needed more time to develop behind the scenes.” — Kevin Seifert via ESPN. MORE: https://fluence-media.co/vikings1125
“You might want to look away from your computer/phone screen if you are easily made nauseous by very ugly factoids regarding the Minnesota Vikings.” — Matthew Coller via Purple insider.
Be brave. Keep reading.
McCARTHY
Yapping about McCarthy’s fitness to remain at quarterback took a sharp turn when the Vikings announced Monday that he was being placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on the team’s flight back from Green Bay. The Vikings are being vague about details, save for acknowledging that rookie Max Brosmer, the former Gophers QB, would get the start on Sunday in Seattle if McCarthy isn’t fit to play. I’m not going to take any part in a discussion about whether the concussion protocol is a convenient way to shelter McCarthy. (Speculative discussions about players and their injuries are distasteful.) But a pull-apart of the bigger picture about McCarthy, one that goes beyond last Sunday and this one, is valid.
Here goes:
“What has become clear is that the brain trust miscalculated the pairing of an unproven quarterback with an expensive, veteran roster that, in theory, was constructed to contend immediately coming off a 14-win season. . . .This cannot be a scenario the Wilf family ownership envisioned when agreeing to spend more than $300 million in free agency to bolster the infrastructure around J.J. McCarthy. The owners might want answers as to why the plan went sideways.” — Chip Scoggins via Star Tribune. MORE: https://fluence-media.co/ouch1125
“J.J. McCarthy isn’t nearly good enough at this juncture to operate the offense under the most optimal conditions, as proven last week in a 19-17 loss to Chicago wherein Minnesota played 58 minutes of putrid offense . . . at home . . . against one of the worst defenses in football. When facing a good defense in a bad script? Forget it, it’s over. It’s non-competitive. Minnesota’s offense is an eyesore. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell admitted postgame to reporters that his team’s margin for error is ‘razor thin’ at the moment. The narrow path to victory he described sounded like a team hoping to milk the clock to shorten the game and win 13-10. Never would you have thought this was possible in the O’Connell era.” — Jace Frederick via Pioneer Press. MORE: https://fluence-media.co/jj1125
“If it was just one no-good, rotten day for McCarthy, then it could be brushed off as part of the learning curve. Baker Mayfield had one of those games. So did Justin Herbert. But the latest in a string of rough outings for McCarthy has now put him in some very disturbing territory. In the last 10 years, the only QBs with lower ratings through six starts (minimum 100 attempts) are Bryce Petty, Jake Luton, DeShone Kizer, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jake Luton and Nathan Peterman. . . . Talk about factoids, you won’t find many times in history that a team lost 23-6 and had more runs than passes.” — Coller via Purple insider. MORE: https://fluence-media.co/bad1125
“When McCarthy returned from his ankle injury, the hope was that he would be able to remain healthy for the final 10 games of the regular season, giving O’Connell and the front office a reason to think he could be the team’s starting quarterback next season. That hasn’t come close to happening and you have to wonder if decisions already are being made about the Vikings’ future at quarterback. Even if McCarthy was playing at a decent level, his injury issues would be enough to scare a team. This isn’t to suggest the Vikings sever ties with McCarthy for 2026, but there’s a case to be made that the 22-year-old needs extensive work before he starts another game and not bringing in another capable starting-caliber quarterback would be malpractice. Especially for a team that has two outstanding wide receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Vikings won’t say it, but they clearly are surprised by how McCarthy has looked in games.” — Judd Zulgad via Substack. MORE: https://fluence-media.co/2026
JEFFERSON
Justin Jefferson caught four passes for 48 yards on Sunday and was never a factor. That has become a recurring theme of the season — one created by McCarthy’s play, an (overhyped and) underperforming offensive line and McConnell’s game plans. We’re hearing participation-award stuff now, how Jefferson is handling the troubles quite well compared to superstar receivers who are prone to diva mode when things go sideways.
“Asked whether there are ways to keep him involved with shorter, quicker throws, Jefferson said: ‘That’s a great question. That’s something for the play-callers to really answer and for me to just go out there and continue to do what I got to do to get open, create that separation and once the ball is up and coming my way make that play. I don’t know.’ Jefferson needs only 148 yards the rest of this season to break Randy Moss’ record of 8,375 yards receiving through six seasons. He would rather be making a playoff run that’s virtually impossible at this point. ‘It’s hard to keep the positive energy and that go-back-to-work mentality. But that’s what we need to do.’ “ — Mark Craig via Star Tribune. MORE, including a postgame podcast: https://fluence-media.co/jefferson1125
Jefferson talks after the game. VIDEO: https://fluence-media.co/justinvideo1125
MANAGEMENT
“The Vikings forged a competitive rebuild plan at the start of 2022, and almost four years later, the team is in dire straits. Every path forward is blocked. The front office spent nearly $350 million in free agency eight months ago, slamming the book on its competitive rebuild process and inching toward go-time to win a Super Bowl. Now, the club is inches away from mathematical playoff contention in 2025, and everywhere folks look for a long-term solution, a roadblock stands in the way. The previously bright future is now dimmer than a candle in a thunderstorm.” — Dustin Baker via Vikings Territory. MORE: https://fluence-media.co/future1125
What’s gone mostly unsaid is the horrible miscalculation by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah that he could surround McCarthy with veterans who would compensate for the learning curve of an inexperienced quarterback. The veterans weren’t as good as expected. Injuries have taken a toll. Weaknesses have been exaggerated to the point that watching the placekicker, Will Reichard, kick 52- and 59-yard field goals was Sunday’s feeble highlight.
The question that should start to be asked is whether Adofo-Mensah has made such a huge miscalculation that he can keep his job. And if he goes, the lifeline for O’Connell gets a lot shorter because incoming GMs typically want the ability to bring in the coach of their choice. Adofo-Mensah is reportedly signed through 2029, which is when O’Connell’s current contract expires. Could what we’re watching now be the warm-up for regime change if Mark and Zygi Wilf run out of patience with what they’re seeing?
Adofo-Mensah’s choices helped create this mess. Does he deserve a chance to make things right? His timeline with the Vikings is long enough for that to be a valid debate. If I’m the Wilfs, I deliver this message to the general manager, the coach and others with player personnel purview: “You broke it, folks. You fix it.”
CASE STUDY:
Media members are romancing numbers right now and dancing with “worst QB ever” data based on six NFL starts. That’s smaller than a small sample size. What the Vikings have is a cousin to Chicago’s Caleb Williams situation. In Williams case, last season’s debate about whether he was the right quarterback to be taken with the No. 1 overall pick was quashed by replacing a second-rate offensive line and a third-rate head coach. What are the moves that are needed to give McCarthy his best chance to succeed? Let’s judge him after a couple dozen games instead of a half-dozen.
VIKINGS (4-7) VS. SEAHAWKS (8-3): 3:05 p.m. Sunday kickoff on FOX and the Vikings Audio Network. Vikings depth chart | Real-time betting info, match-ups | Seahawks web site
PLAYOFFS? DREAM ON: You may still hear about how there’s a slim path from the 4-7 record to a possible postseason berth. When you see or hear that, shut it down and walk away. Playoff-chance projections typically vary according to methodology. But The Athletic, NFL.com, ESPN and PlayoffStatus.com all have the Vikings with less than a 1% chance of qualifying for the playoffs. (By comparison, chances for the 8-3 Bears to reach the playoffs varies from 50% to 78%, depending on who’s doing the math.)
POWER RANKINGS? A NIGHTMARE: Via The Athletic. The Packers are seventh, the Lions are eighth, the Bears are 12th . . . the Vikings are 23rd. VERBATIM: “Coach Kevin O’Connell has been the NFL’s biggest proponent that it’s teams that typically fail quarterbacks, not the other way around. But how do the Vikings keep playing McCarthy when he so clearly isn’t ready and has been historically bad? On the other hand, can you really bench him for an undrafted rookie?” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/power1125
ELSEWHERE:
PLEASE STOP: Most Gophers fans are willing to accept pretty good as good enough, which means coach P.J. Fleck should tone down the “one-game championship season” silliness that he trotted out again after the Gophers puked up a 15-point lead in the second half in their 38-35 loss to Northwestern. The Wildcats rank in the bottom 25% in the nation in total offense, scoring offense and passing offense. It was a bad loss to an average team and to put the word “championship” next to it disrespects Minnesota fans. To his credit, Fleck can do a pretty good job of breaking down things that go wrong, especially during his radio appearances. Just drop the sugar-coating.
HUH? Via Randy Johnson at Star Tribune. VERBATIM: “There were so many good things from that football game with our football team from a lot of different people’s perspectives and performances that it’s gonna get overshadowed by the loss,” Fleck said. “It’s not on my mind. I loved our effort. I loved our resolve.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/gophersfb1125
.500 CLUB? I figured the Northwestern and Wisconsin games for Minnesota victories that would give the Gophers an 8-4 record and a boost to a better destination when bowl selections are announced on Dec. 7. Now they’re playing to avoid a .500 record Saturday at The Bank against the Badgers, who just upset No. 23 Illinois and knocked Washington from the Top 25 a couple weeks back. This feels like the least riveting Border Battle in years, unless you can get juiced for knowing that the winner will take the lead in an all-time series that’s tied at 63-63-8. Silly me for being optimistic.
GOPHERS (6-5) VS. WISCONSIN (4-7): 2:30 p.m. Saturday on FS1 and the Gophers Radio Network. Gophers depth chart | Real-time betting info, match-ups | Wisconsin web site.
21-DAY GOPHER: On Nov. 3, the Gophers announced that running back Jett Walker flipped his commitment from West Virginia to Minnesota. On Sunday, the Texas native announced a flip from the Gophers to his home-state Longhorns. He was the second player to switch a “commitment” from Minnesota to Texas in a one-week period.
MNUFC BOWS OUT: For 71 minutes, Minnesota United did just what it needed to do Monday night, play in a tight defensive shell and take opportunities on offense when they became available. Early in the second half, there was a shot by Robin Lod that beat San Diego’s goalkeeper and was headed for the net — until defender Ian Picher made a spectacular sliding stop inches from the goal line, and somehow avoided a hand ball in the process.
The Loons defense was so good that San Diego got only one shot on goal the entire game. The problem? Star Anders Dreyer’s shot went in, following a stunning heel pass from Corey Baird, and was the decider in a 1-0 game that sent the winners — an expansion team — into this weekend’s MLS Western Conference finals.
BETTER ENDING, AT LEAST: Via Jon Marthaler at Star Tribune. This is the second straight year that MNUFC’s season has ended in the conference semifinals, but this exit — however painful — was a far cry different than the 6-2 elimination loss to LA Galaxy that ended the 2024 season. VERBATIM: “It was a little microcosm of our season,” head coach Eric Ramsay said. “We were super competitive. We were in the game all the way through. Restricted them to very little. . . . We certainly have the better (scoring) chances of the game, if only by a little, but have come out of the wrong side of the game that was decided on very fine margins.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/loons1125
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR? Via Jess Myers at Pioneer Press. Jesper Wallstedt was viewed as the Wild’s backup goalie when the season started, a status he is smashing to bits with his recent play — including three shutouts in his last four games. At age 23, he’s the youngest goalie in NHL history to have a five-game winning streak. The Wild have won five in a row and have a 9-2 November record. The Wild are tied with four other teams for the sixth-most points in the NHL (28) after a sluggish start the featured a five-game losing streak. VERBATIM: “He’s playing like a wall right now. It’s fun to watch, and it gives us all confidence,” said Wild defenseman Brock Faber. “It took time for him to get here. He worked and battled and went through adversity and ups and downs, and to see him playing the way he can play, it’s incredible.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/jesper1125
THE WALL OF ST. PAUL: There’s a t-shirt. GO HERE: https://fluence-media.co/wall1125
TRIPLE QUADRUPLE: High school star Maddyn Greenway of Providence Academy became the first Minnesota girls’ basketball player to reach 1,000 points, rebounds and assists in her career. She reached the rebounding mark Saturday when defending 2A champ Providence lost 78-74 to 4A champ Hopkins. Greenway has signed to play college basketball at Kentucky. She’s played varsity since seventh grade.
LYNX DRAFT SECOND: The WNBA draft lottery was held Sunday and the Lynx won the second pick — lottery status granted as part of the trade that allowed Chicago to draft Angel Reese in 2024. Presuming the WNBA’s labor issues are settled, teams will be reshaped through free agency before the draft is held in mid-April. So at this point it’s hard to predict Minnesota’s top need. It will also depend, of course, on what Dallas does with the No. 1 overall pick.
INTRIGUING OPTION: If Dallas doesn’t grab her and the Lynx need a mobile, inside threat — which is their No. 1 need on the current roster — the player they should pursue is 19-year-old Awa Fam of Spain, a 6-foot-4 center who was the MVP of the 2024 U20 Eurobasket Tournament. Here’s The Athletic’s description of Fam’s game: “She explodes on rolls to the basket and has a great feel for how to move off the ball, which includes quick passing while stationary and when cutting. She protects the basket well and can stick with guards on switches. You watch her mirror a smaller player’s drive to the basket and wonder how opponents ever thought they could get a shot attempt past her. Fam doesn’t seem to have a shooting touch beyond the paint, but she is so advanced already at her age that it’s hard to believe she won’t get there.”
OTHERWISE: Via Cassidy Hettesheimer at Star Tribune. Two of the best fits for the Lynx are UConn combo guard Azzi Fudd and TCU shooting guard Olivia Miles. VERBATIM: “Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve wouldn’t go as far as to name specific players the Lynx were scouting but did note “it’s not really that hard . . . if you’re tuning into college basketball. I’d like to stay away from naming names at this point, but it’s pretty common knowledge.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/wnba1125
ONE WIN FROM NCAA BID: Via Jace Frederick at Pioneer Press. VERBATIM: “St. Thomas knocked off second-seeded South Dakota in the Summit League volleyball semifinals Monday via a thrilling five-set victory in which the third-seeded Tommies rallied from a 2-1 deficit to win 25-22, 22-25, 16-25, 25-19, 15-9 in Brookings, South Dakota. St. Thomas will meet top-seeded South Dakota State in the title match at 6 p.m. Tuesday with the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament on the line. The Jackrabbits swept the two regular season meetings between the two teams, winning both in four sets.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/toms1125
SECOND IN THE NATION: Via Augsburg University. VERBATIM: “ For the second straight year, Mohammed Bati finished second at the NCAA Division III Men’s Cross Country National Championships, shattering his 8,000-meter school record in the process. . . . Bati finished the 291-runner race in 23.39.6, 4.6 seconds behind national titlist Emmanuel Leblond of Johns Hopkins (Md.). Bati entered the final 1,000 meters of the race contending for the lead with Leblond, who pulled in front in the final 400 meters to claim the victory.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/bati1125
SO MUCH TO SEE HERE: As promised, here’s the Sports Take guide to a packed weekend of games. The focus is on Minnesota teams, with a few add-ons that should carry some local interest. The bulk is real, so I’ll keep the commentary to a minimum.
WEDNESDAY:
Timberwolves at Oklahoma City, 6:30 p.m. ESPN. The defending NBA champions are 17-1. The Wolves are a game-blowing mess right now.
Wild at Chicago, 7:30 p.m. ESPN+. Can the Wild win their sixth straight? Can hot goalie Jesper Wallstedt get consecutive starts for the second time this season.
THANKSGIVING:
Packers vs. Lions, noon Fox. The first of three NFL games that provide an escape from family and food.
Gophers men’s basketball vs. Stanford in Palm Desert, Calif., 8:30 p.m. CBSSN. Another try against a solid opponent. Stanford is 4-1, not including an exhibition win over Oregon. Minnesota will play either Santa Clara or Saint Louis at 6 or 8:30 p.m. Friday (TruTV), depending on the results of Thursday’s games.
FRIDAY:
Bears vs. Eagles, 2 p.m. Prime. The Bears are 8-3 but have a thorny six-game stretch to finish the season that keeps them from being a playoff lock.
Wild vs. Avalanche, 2:30 p.m. FDSN. The Avalanche are the Oklahoma City of the NHL with a league-high 37 points and a 16-6 record that includes only one loss in regulation time.
Frost at Seattle, 3 p.m. YouTube. Home opener for the expansion Seattle Torrent, who have five Minnesotans on the roster, including Emily Zumwinkle, whose sister Grace plays for the Frost.
Hermantown vs. Cretin-Derham Hall in boys’ hockey, 7:15 at Highland Arena and NSPN: A 1A vs. 2A power match-up. There are about six dozen boys’ and girls’ hockey games around the state Friday and Saturday.
Gophers vs. Badgers volleyball, 8 p.m. BIG. This is the better Border Battle of the weekend. Wisconsin is ranked 10th and Minnesota 19th. It’s the final match of the regular season.
SATURDAY:
NCAA playoffs: (Division III) Saint John’s hosts Monmouth and Bethel hosts Coe, noon ESPN+. The Royals have the tougher game, the Johnnies have the nicer field. Just across the border, UW-River Falls hosts Chapman College of California. Tickets available on site for all three games. All three local schools had first-round byes. (Division II) Minnesota State at Indianapolis. 1 p.m. ESPN+. Winner goes to the quarterfinals.
Gophers vs Badgers football, 2:30 p.m. FS1. Will Minnesota fall to .500? Will Wisconsin finish with three wins in its final four games?
Wolves vs. Celtics, 4 p.m. FDSN. Luka Garza and Josh Minott on the visiting bench.
Wild vs. Sabres, 7 p.m. FDSN. Will there still be a Wild winning streak?
Gophers men’s hockey at Denver, 8 p.m. FOX9+. The Pioneers are ranked No. 4 in the country.
Girls’ basketball: Camp out in White Bear Lake for six games starting at 10:30 or Hamline, which has seven games starting at 9:30 a.m. SCHEDULE.
SUNDAY:
Vikings at Seahawks, 3 p.m. Fox. Sam Darnold vs. (probably) Max Brosmer. You’re just pretending that you’re not going to watch.
Wolves vs. Spurs, 6 p.m. FSDN. The big guy, Victor Wembanyana, is injured.
THANKS FOR READING: Back next Thursday. Enjoy Thanksgiving and make someone else’s Thanksgiving even happier.
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