StribSports Daily Delivery

Introduction: Host Michael Rand can't help but notice that it's looking a lot like 2020 again when it comes to COVID and sports. The NFL had 37 positive cases on Monday, including Vikings running back Alexander Mattison entering protocols. The NHL's Calgary Flames are going to miss three games while the NBA's Chicago Bulls had two postponed because of outbreaks. 6:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins the podcast for his weekly film review segment, and the look back at the Vikings' 36-28 win over the Steelers revealed some cause for alarm. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins was 0-for-11 with two interceptions (per Pro Football Focus) when facing pressure. The Vikings will need to correct that against the Bears if they want to have any chance of keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. 19:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite team had no shortage of material this week.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at several big stories in Minnesota sports, including: *The surprising Gophers men's basketball team, which improved to 8-1 with a win at Michigan -- its third consecutive road victory. Early returns on Ben Johnson are quite positive, Reusse says. *The Gophers volleyball team's run in the NCAA tournament ended one match short of the Final Four with a loss Saturday at Wisconsin. *Thursday's Vikings game and whether we would be talking about a coaching change right now if not for Minnesota hanging on to win. *The Grey Cup, the FCS playoffs, the Wolves and the Wild all get bandied about as well. It is the most wonderful and busiest time of the year.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand made the silly mistake of thinking Thursday night's Vikings game was somehow under control when the team led 26-0 in the third quarter. He set the rest of the game to record and helped put his oldest daughters to bed after thinking to himself that this was one of those rare moments in franchise history that a game was truly over before it was over. And he was right! (Narrator: No, not really). Instead of being on cruise control, the Vikings needed a pass breakup in the end zone on the final play to escape with a 36-28 win. Hear postgame reaction from Rand -- along with Mike Zimmer, Kirk Cousins and Anthony Barr. 11:00: Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins the show to talk about another team that has been up and down all season. The Wolves have lost four straight games after winning seven of eight, and the latest twist is Anthony Edwards giving Karl-Anthony Towns advice on how to improve his game. 25:00: NFL writer Mark Craig jumps in with his weekly picks. 32:00: The Wild is the best team in the NHL right now.

Introduction: The Timberwolves and Gophers men's basketball team both lost home games Wednesday to quality opponents. The "what" wasn't surprising, but the "how" was interesting. After the Wolves were routed 136-104 by Utah, second-year Wolves wing Anthony Edwards described how seventh-year big man Karl-Anthony Towns needs to attack opponents more quickly instead of waiting for double-teams. The Gophers, meanwhile, showed a talent deficit against Michigan State that figures to resurface in the Big Ten. 7:00: Gophers volleyball setter Melani Shaffmaster joins Rand for a conversation about the team's big NCAA regional match against Baylor on Thursday and to discuss the nuances of the position. Shaffmaster is an anomaly at 6-foot-3 as a setter. 15:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins the show to give his thoughts on some of the biggest recent stories, including Byron Buxton's contract extension, the MLB lockout and the future of the Vikings' most prominent decisionmakers.

Introduction: Hear from Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan and head coach Dean Evason after Tuesday's latest impressive win, a 4-1 victory at Edmonton that was the Wild's seventh in a row. This time Minnesota did it primarily with defense and goaltending -- a good road recipe at a important point in the season. 8:00: Eric Curry from the Gophers men's basketball team joins the podcast to talk through the team's surprising 7-0 start entering Big Ten play Wednesday against Michigan State. You should read Marcus Fuller's longer feature on Curry as well. Plus hear from head coach Ben Johnson and Curry's teammate, Jamison Battle, on the Gophers' start. 15:00: Columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show to give thoughts on a number of big subjects, including: the Gophers football team changing offensive coordinators, their bowl game destination, Tanner Morgan's return and the Vikings' shortcomings.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the Timberwolves' latest loss to Atlanta in which Minnesota allowed 25 three-pointers in a 121-110 defeat. Three-point defense has been a big part of the Wolves' improved play this season, but it has been slipping lately -- a troubling sign for Chris Finch's team. 5:00: Andrew Krammer joins for the weekly Vikings film review, breaking down the big question in the aftermath of the Vikings' 29-27 loss to the Lions on Sunday: Who or what was to blame on the Lions' game-winning touchdown drive? 15:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team, with more analysis of the Vikings' loss -- and what's left to play for this season.

Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for an unforgettable look back at another wild weekend in Minnesota sports. They start, of course, with the utterly predictable yet still unthinkable: The Vikings' 29-27 loss to the previously winless Lions, with the final blow coming on the final play of the game. Mike Zimmer's curious coaching decisions, including moves along the offensive line and a soft defense on the game-winning final drive, contributed mightily to the loss. From there, Reusse waxes poetic on the election of Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Oliva is one of Reusse's favorite players -- and people -- of all-time. Plus thoughts on the Gophers football team, the Wild's surge, the Gophers volleyball team in the Sweet 16 and the Gophers men's basketball team surprisingly sitting 7-0 after a big Sunday win Over Mississippi State.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes note of Thursday podcast guest Ryan Hartman's big night (three points, plus-4 for the game) in the Wild's 5-2 win over New Jersey and is intrigued by the Gophers' reported pursuit of former offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. 5:00: Timberwolves radio voice Alan Horton, now in his 15th season calling Wolves games, joins the show for a look back at his history with the team and his optimism about this season. And yes, we had to talk about the Ed Malloy call from eight years ago. 28:00: Mark Craig joins for the weekly NFL picks segment. Did you think the Vikings might have an easy time this weekend against winless Detroit? Craig says think again. This one will be messy and will leave fans cringing until the final seconds. 42:00: Brian Kelly found himself a new accent.

In a sprawling edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand starts with a day of extremes for Twins baseball fans. Wednesday started with the news conference to formally announce Byron Buxton's seven-year contract extension, a joyous occasion for Twins fans. But then the Twins showed they didn't learn anything from last year's pitching missteps by signing Dylan Bundy. And later in the day, MLB's lockout became official, meaning a work stoppage and no other chances to improve the roster for what figures to be at least a couple months. 8:00: Wild forward Ryan Hartman, off to a blistering start with a team-leading 12 goals for one of the NHL's highest-scoring teams, joins the show to talk about his hot start, his journey to the NHL from South Carolina, the importance of taking time off, and how he skipped a Spanish test to watch a Stanley Cup parade in Chicago. 24:00: Gophers men's basketball beat writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to talk about that team's 6-0 start. Though much of that good start has come against lesser competition -- with tougher opponents soon to come -- it's still a surprisingly good beginning to the Ben Johnson era. 43:00: As D'Angelo Russell goes, so go the Wolves.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a spin through three teams that have been hot lately. The Wild won its fourth game in a row and has scored the most goals (83) in the entire NHL. The Gophers men's basketball team is now 6-0 after a dramatic 54-53 win over Pittsburgh, which is more wins than Rand thought they might have all year. And the Wolves are 11-10 and sitting in good position in the Western Conference. 9:00: Three Gophers athletes join the show ahead of big games in the coming days. First up is Sara Scalia from the Gophers women's basketball team before Wednesday's game against North Carolina. Then Sammy Walker from the Gophers men's hockey team before they head to Michigan this weekend. And finally Abigail Boreen from the women's hockey team in advance of this weekend's showdown at No. 1 Wisconsin. 26:00: MLB is on a continued path of self-destruction with a work stoppage looming.

A trio of football guests helped Michael Rand make some sense of a busy week: *Gophers football writer Randy Johnson joined Daily Delivery to discuss a whirlwind week for that program. Let's see: On Saturday the Gophers beat Wisconsin to reclaim Paul Bunyan's Axe and to change the narrative on their season; Not long after, we learned that Tanner Morgan is returning for a sixth season while much-criticized offensive coordinator Mike Sanford Jr. is departing. And on Sunday, we should find out which bowl game the Gophers have earned this season. *Andrew Krammer joined for a film review of the Vikings, which wasn't pretty after a 34-26 loss to San Francisco. The Vikings were gouged against the run in the loss, and it wasn't just an isolated problem explained away by injuries. *My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite team with Keith Richotte, now with ... limericks?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look at a very busy weekend in sports. Topics covered: *Byron Buxton's seven-year, $100 million extension with the Twins. While Reusse and Rand agreed it needed to happen, Reusse has a message for Buxton: Now you need to play. *The Vikings were run over by the 49ers, though they made enough plays to keep the game close. Defensive shortcomings told the real story, though blaming Kirk Cousins is more fashionable. *The Gophers beat Wisconsin for just the second time since 2003, and they would have had more than just a trophy (and big win) had Nebraska defeated Iowa. Still, it turned what would have been a disappointing season into a good one. *The Wolves had a big win in Philadelphia. Ryan Hartman can't stop scoring, which is a good thing for the Wild. And Reusse witnessed perhaps the biggest win of all in Edina.

Phil Miller joins host Michael Rand for a look at the Twins and an important offseason. They should have close to $50 million to spend on the open market. But a presumed labor stoppage will complicate any free agent pursuits, and their biggest question might be regarding a player already on their roster: Byron Buxton, and whether they extend or trade him.

Introduction: It was a winning night for Minnesota teams, with the Wolves, Wild and Gophers men's basketball team all earning victories. The biggest of the three was the Wolves' 113-101 win over the Heat, their fifth win in a row and a triumph over Jimmy Butler. Is it enough to declare this team has turned a corner? Not yet, since consistency has long been a problem. But it was a big step forward. 6:00: Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan joins the show to help set up Saturday's big game against Wisconsin and to answer a big question: How has he dealt with criticism this season? 11:00: Mark Craig's NFL picks.

Introduction: It's an all-defense edition of Daily Delivery as host Michael Rand notes the impact of Minnehaha product and current Gonzaga freshman Chet Holmgren in Tuesday's 83-63 win over UCLA in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown. And the Gophers men's basketball team is carving out a defensive identity early this season, starting 4-0 thanks to its ability to limit teams from the three-point line. 5:00: Gophers football defensive end Boye Mafe joins the show to help set up Saturday's huge rivalry game against Wisconsin that could determine the Big Ten West champion. Mafe explains how P.J. Fleck keeps the team focused on a single-game mentality and looks back on a career playing in his home state. 10:00: Wolves beat writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a look at the team's recent four-game winning streak, which has been fueled by defense. The Wolves have the seventh-best defensive-rating in the NBA and the No. 1 defensive rating over the past five games, thanks in large part to being very good defending three-pointers. Can they keep it up against a tougher slate of opponents, including old friend Jimmy Butler and the Heat on Wednesday? 29:00: Winning a playoff game without taking a single shot on goal? It happened in Major League Soccer on Tuesday.

It's Tuesday Morning Nickelback time on Daily Delivery, as host Michael Rand welcomes in the usual trio of guests to break down all the big Vikings and Gophers story lines. 2:00: Andrew Krammer joins for Vikings film review, where he takes a look at Justin Jefferson continuing to make big plays -- and Kirk Cousins continuing to push the ball to him downfield. Rand points out that Cousins was pressured at the second-highest rate in the league this past week -- nearly 50% of his dropbacks -- but had by far the most passing yards under pressure. Will he continue to be aggressive even when facing pressure? 15:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team brings us five -- yes, one for every Vikings win -- haiku poems this week. Most of it seems to revel in the Packers losing. 29:00: Randy Johnson joins for a Gophers football update ahead of Saturday's huge game against Wisconsin. Depending on what Iowa and Purdue do this weekend, the game could be for the Big Ten West title.

Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. It was a mostly positive set of results in Minnesota, including: *The Vikings held off the Packers 34-31 thanks to some late-game heroics and some good fortune that included getting the benefit of a few critical officiating calls. Reusse says Vikings fans can't complain about the referees after that one. Rand notes how the narrative today would be totally different had a late Kirk Cousins interception not been overturned upon review. But the bottom line is Minnesota took a huge win and evened its record at 5-5. *The Gophers gave themselves a chance at the Big Ten West title with a breezy 35-14 win over Indiana on Saturday. Now the path is clear: If Iowa loses to Nebraska, Purdue defeats Indiana and the Gophers beat Wisconsin next weekend, Minnesota will be the Big Ten West champion. Just don't ask Patrick what the name of the Gophers stadium is. *Minnesota United started fast in its playoff game Sunday against Portland, but the Timbers controlled the final 70 minutes of the match in a 3-1 result that ended the Loons' season. *Three wins in a row for the Timberwolves have helped change the narrative on that season, at least for now.

Introduction: Chris Finch and Dean Evason delivered messages to their teams before both of them played Thursday. Finch and veteran guard Patrick Beverley implored the Wolves to be professional coming off a win Wednesday against the Kings and follow it with a good showing against San Antonio. Evason juggled his lines after a 4-1 Wild loss to San Jose. The verdict? Messages received loud and clear. Both teams delivered blowout victories and looked about as good as they have at any point this season. 5:00: Longtime Wisconsin-based NFL writer and radio host Jason Wilde joins the show to help set up Sunday's game between the Vikings and Packers. What does Wilde think of all the Aaron Rodgers drama and his future in Green Bay? How much will a recent lack of practice time for Rodgers hurt in Sunday's game? Those questions are answered and much more. 19:00: Vikings/NFL writer Mark Craig joins for his weekly NFL picks segment and to offer more perspectives on Sunday's big game at U.S. Bank Stadium. He thinks the Packers will prevail, but the NFL has been hard to predict this season.

Introduction: A piece in The Athletic this week indicated there is an expectation within MLB that Byron Buxton will be traded by the Twins. Though there wasn't much news beyond what has already been reported -- the sides keep talking about a new contract but can't agree on terms; the Twins worry about his injury history but also the backlash for letting him go -- it was a reminder that we're into the baseball offseason with no resolution in sight. And it's also an opportunity to restate this: trading Buxton would be a giant mistake that the Twins would regret on multiple levels. 7:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins the show to give an evaluation of the team after 15 games. Though there have been some rough edges, including sluggish starts from Kirill Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala and a certain lack of sharpness in keeping pucks out of the net, a 10-5 record bodes well for the rest of this season. And the new-look Wild blue line will greet an old friend Thursday when Ryan Suter's Dallas Stars visit Xcel Energy Center. 26:00: The Wolves only collected half of all available defensive rebounds in Wednesday's game against the Kings, leading coach Chris Finch to raise his voice at halftime. The response came after the break, with Minnesota getting a much-needed 107-97 win. But defensive rebounding remains a big issue.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand watched most of Tuesday's Wild game with a level of concern, though clearly not alarm over the 4-1 loss to San Jose . Even with a 10-5 start to the season, there have been some cracks in the Wild's game that showed up again in the loss -- including a lack of production from Kevin Fiala and Kirill Kaprizov. Then again, if you have Dish Network you weren't able to watch the game anyway -- nor will you be able to see anything on Bally Sports North. 5:00: Minnesota United manager Adrian Heath joins the show in advance of Sunday's playoff game in Portland. The Loons started the year 0-4 and left themselves little margin for error, but they rallied and on the last day of the year secured a postseason berth for the third consecutive season. When fully healthy, Minnesota United can play with anyone. Will they be fit in the playoffs and offer further vindication for Heath over his doubters? 21:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show and debates three main points with Rand: Should the Gophers bench QB Tanner Morgan? Are the Vikings a playoff team? And do the Wolves need patience or a major shakeup? 38:00: Are you ready for Crypto.com Arena?

Introduction: One show. Three football guests. That's what we do on Tuesday Morning Nickelback. 2:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins to break down film of the 27-20 win over the Chargers, including a key sequence in the third quarter in which the offense and defense were in sync about as well as they have been all season. Mike Zimmer dialed up key blitzes to help get the Vikings off the field, and the offense took those opportunities and turned a 17-13 deficit into a 27-17 lead. 12:00: What if you could get a recap of the Vikings game in haiku form? That is the latest wrinkle on this week's My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team. 24:00: Randy Johnson joins the show to look back at the Gophers' disappointing 27-22 loss at Iowa, and what it means in the context of their season. Familiar problems resurfaced even as Minnesota played the style it wanted to play.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins Michael Rand for a look back at an important weekend in Minnesota sports. They started with the Vikings, who played one of their most complete games of the season when they needed it the most -- and punctuated a 27-20 win over the Chargers with some fourth-quarter aggressiveness on offense. A touchdown extended their lead, and a few key plays let them run out the clock instead of relying on defense for a stop at the end. The Gophers football team, meanwhile, displayed none of that aggressiveness. Though Minnesota outgained Iowa by more than 100 yards and held the ball for twice as long as the Hawkeyes, settling for field goals and failing to make enough big plays in the passing game doomed the Gophers to a 27-22 loss that almost closed the door on Big Ten title aspirations. Reusse and Rand also talked about the Gophers men's basketball team's surprising 3-0 start, the Wolves falling flat after demolishing the Lakers and an epic Division III football game.

Introduction: The Wild had a chance to make an early-season statement against Vegas, the team that knocked Minnesota out of the playoffs a year ago. Instead, the Wild fell behind and couldn't complete a furious rally, losing 3-2 and going 0-for-6 on the power play in the road loss. Beat writer Sarah McLellan checks in with a "voicemail" from Las Vegas to help break it down. 4:00: Host Michael Rand isn't buying Karl-Anthony Towns' frustration with losing and thinks KAT has to own it instead of suggesting that it is merely happening to him. 6:00: Iowa-based radio host and writer Andrew Downs joins the show to help set up Saturday's big game between the Gophers and Hawkeyes down in Iowa. Both teams have had setbacks lately, but both are still tied for the Big Ten West lead. Plenty is at stake, and Downs will help set it all up from an Iowa perspective. 20:00: NFL/Vikings writer Mark Craig joins the show for the weekly picks segment, and perhaps against his better judgment he likes the Vikings to win on Sunday against the Chargers. 36:00: Olympic gymnast Suni Lee of St. Paul says she was the victim of a racist attack.

Introduction: If you were excited about the Wild and the Timberwolves at the start of their seasons, you probably feel differently about one of those teams now. Wednesday was a microcosm of the starts to their years, with the Wild surging to a 9-3 record thanks to a lopsided win over Arizona while the Wolves fell to 3-7 with their sixth consecutive loss -- this one at Golden State. For the Wild, scoring balance and confidence seem to be key. For the Wolves, who lost despite 48 points from Anthony Edwards, confidence and execution is in short supply these days. 9:00: Longtime NFL agent Leigh Steinberg joins host Michael Rand on the show for a look at how Aaron Rodgers has handled the COVID vaccine controversy, the changes Steinberg has seen in four decades in the business and to answer once and for all whether he was the inspiration for Tom Cruise's character in "Jerry Maguire." 28:00: The Vikings have a tough task ahead of them this weekend.

Introduction: The Timberwolves have lost five games in a row, and a big culprit has been their play down the stretch of games. They have a net rating of minus-31 in the fourth quarter of games this season, and the mark is even worse during "clutch" situations. Can they figure that out and steer out of this skid? Perhaps, but an increasingly difficult schedule won't help. 6:00: Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan joins host Michael Rand to break down some of what he has witnessed with the 3-5 Vikings so far this season. Souhan also dives into the issue of vaccinations, which played a role in the most recent Vikings loss (minus Harrison Smith) and Packers loss (minus Aaron Rodgers). And it sounds like Souhan isn't impressed with the Gophers football team and the timing of P.J. Fleck's contract extension. 25:00: The Gophers basketball teams opened Tuesday, with the men getting Ben Johnson's first win and the women losing a stunner to Jacksonville. 28:00: Troubling allegations against Vikings running back Dalvin Cook.

On the Tuesday Morning Nickelback edition of Daily Delivery, Michael Rand welcomes in a trio of guests: *Vikings writer Andrew Krammer breaks down the Vikings' broken passing game -- in particular their inability to get the ball to Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen -- in his latest film review. The big problem is that it's not just one problem affecting the passing game. *My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team finds Rand and Keith Richotte talking about an all-too-familiar narrative. The Vikings looked good early against Baltimore, then couldn't get any offense going again until desperation time. Meanwhile, their defense was worn down. *Gophers football writer Randy Johnson tries to explain how Minnesota could lose to Illinois -- and whether the Gophers can rebound against Iowa.

Patrick Reusse joins Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Among the key topics discussed: *The Vikings were in position to beat Baltimore despite a huge disparity in several key categories. The Ravens held the ball for twice as long as the Vikings and had almost three times as many first downs (36 to 13) in an overtime win. Still, if the Vikings could have done more with a two-touchdown lead or an overtime turnover, they would have won. Instead, questions about their season are fresh again with their record at 3-5. *The Gophers football team might have been caught looking ahead to Iowa. A 14-6 home loss to Illinois put them at 4-2 in the Big Ten, tied with three other teams in the West. Reusse wondered, and it's a good question: Why does a two-touchdown deficit against a bad team feel insurmountable? *What happened to the Wolves and Karl-Anthony Towns? They went 0-4 on a recent homestand and were outscored by 97 points when KAT was on the floor. Reusse's answer: That's the Wolves. *The Wild and Loons saved the weekend with clutch performances. The Wild rallied for a in improbable win at Pittsburgh then used a four-goal surge to beat the Islanders. The Loons hung on for a tie against the L.A. Galaxy to make the playoffs.

Introduction: Vikings fans have wondered in recent weeks whether the team might shake up the offensive line given the inconsistent play -- particularly on the interior of the line where Kirk Cousins often feels pressure. Out of necessity on Sunday, they will. Center Garrett Bradbury landed on the COVID list, meaning offseason acquisition Mason Cole will get a shot. Whether that's an upgrade or downgrade remains to be seen. 5:00: Vikings/NFL writer Mark Craig tries to atone for last week's 5-10 record on picks with another shot at this week's slate. The reeling Vikings are nearly a touchdown underdog at Baltimore, and same goes for the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers at Green Bay. 18:00: Jerry Zgoda joins for a look at a big Sunday in Major League Soccer. For Minnesota United, the simplest route to the playoffs is this: Earn at least a tie against the L.A. Galaxy in their finale, and they are in. Lose and they will need some help. 25:00: Karl-Anthony Towns says he was hacked. The NFL is trying to determine if Aaron Rodgers violated COVID protocols. And I'm sitting here in a hot dog costume trying to figure out the guy who did this.

Introduction: Aaron Rodgers will miss Sunday's game against Kansas City after reportedly testing positive for COVID-19 -- news that revealed that Rodgers is also apparently not vaccinated despite him saying in late August that he was "immunized" when asked about his status. Rodgers' attempt at misdirection is worse than a flat-out lie or being a vaccine denier because he is trying to have it both ways. 7:00: Marcus Fuller joins the show to help preview the Gophers men's basketball season, which starts Tuesday against Kansas City. Ben Johnson has a tall task ahead of him both in terms of the short-term and the long-term, but he is willing to meet it head on. 21:00: P.J. Fleck's new contract was well-earned, and Gophers fans should hope that he means it when he says he is here for the long haul. 25:00: The Wolves scored plenty of points against the Clippers on Wednesday, but their defense was bad in a 126-115 loss. Now they are 3-4 and in serious danger of squandering a good start and early opportunity against a soft schedule.

Introduction: The Wild at least temporarily halted one of those stretches for Minnesota sports teams with a 5-4 overtime win over Ottawa. Perhaps just as important in that game: Kirill Kaprizov scored for the first time this season on his 32nd shot of the year. Minnesota is 6-3 on the season with just two goals combined from Kaprizov and Kevin Fiala, which should mean better times area ahead when they get hot. 5:00: Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine joins the show for an examination of the team's 3-3 start. The optimism that permeated the team after a win at Milwaukee has dissipated after home losses to Denver and Orlando. Minnesota's offense seems stuck in the mud, and the Wolves might not have D'Angelo Russell when they play the Clippers on Wednesday. That might actually improve the offense, though, based on how things have gone so far this year. 22:00: Atlanta won the World Series after being below .500 at the All-Star break. Should that give hope to the Twins that a turnaround is possible? 26:00: The Gophers are No. 20 in the initial College Football Playoff Rankings. While it will be tough for them to crack the Top 4 this year -- or any year -- thinking about a 12-team possible future playoff is a lot more manageable.

Introduction: It's Tuesday Morning Nickelback time, with a deep dive into the Vikings and the Gophers football team. 2:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer tries to help answer the big question of the week during our film review segment. What went wrong with the Vikings' offense against Dallas on Sunday night, and who is to blame? Within the context of that question is another important one: Is there anything that can be done to fix it? 11:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team does not miss its mark this week. The Vikings let Dallas hang around and the defense had an opportunity to be the hero of the game. But like so many other times this season, that side of the ball couldn't get it done when it mattered most. 23:00: Gophers football writer Randy Johnson joins the show for a happier subject. Minnesota has won four games in a row and controls its destiny in the Big Ten West. Showdowns with Iowa and Wisconsin loom later this month.

Introduction: Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand to rehash the fresh pain of the latest Vikings debacle, a 20-16 Sunday Night Football loss to Dallas and backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Minnesota had all the advantages in this game but still couldn't deliver a victory that it very much needed. Afterward, wide receiver Adam Thielen revealed frustration -- echoed by countless fans -- at how the Vikings seem to just let teams hang around in games. 15:00: In happier Minnesota sports news, the Gophers football team clobbered Northwestern 41-14 on Saturday, setting up a final four games in which they control their own destiny. They are 4-1, alone atop the Big Ten West standings, with big games against Iowa and Wisconsin (both 3-2) in their last four. 22:00: Houston extended the World Series with an improbable rally in Atlanta. The Timberwolves can stop teams but suddenly can't score. And a big win for Minnesota United.

Introduction: The Wild's first visit to Seattle for an NHL game didn't quite go as planned. With multiple players sidelined by COVID and injuries, the short-handed Wild lost 4-1. Though two of the goals were empty-net tallies, Minnesota was outplayed badly in the middle part of the game and now has a negative goal differential on the season even with a 5-2 record. 4:00: Vikings/NFL writer Mark Craig joins the show for his weekly NFL picks segment and to break down the big Sunday night showdown between the Vikings and the Cowboys. It started out as his upset special when the Vikings were 2.5-point underdogs. Now Minnesota is suddenly a 2.5-point favorite -- adding fuel to the idea that Dak Prescott will give his injured calf one more week to heal. 20:00: Green Bay escaped with another victory on Thursday in Arizona, another reminder of the thin margins in the NFL. 22:00: Reader queries on Anthony Edwards and the NHL scandal. 28:00: A new hitting coach for the Twins is a high-risk, high-reward hire.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand dissects the Timberwolves' big 113-108 victory on Wednesday night in Milwaukee. You'll hear postgame comments from Anthony Edwards and head coach Chris Finch postgame as well as a "voicemail" from Star Tribune beat writer Chris Hine with all the key points of the game. The Wolves' Big Three came up big at various moments, and their defensive rebounding was much better with Jarred Vanderbilt in the starting lineup. 11:00: Former Twins pitcher Glen Perkins joins the show to talk about his old teammate Eddie Rosario and all the success he is having in the playoffs. It's a great perspective not only about what makes Rosario great but also about why the Twins weren't necessarily wrong to let him go. 23:00: Minnesota United lost precious ground in the MLS playoff race when it lost 2-1 in Vancouver on Wednesday, after which head coach Adrian Heath had pointed comments about the team's defense. With just two games left in the season, the Loons are on the outside looking in.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a spin through his list of the 25 best Timberwolves players of all-time. Was it a difficult task? Yes. Were there some snubs? Maybe. Was there a surprise with the No. 1 player? Um, no. 9:00: Columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show to provide insight into his latest Football Across Minnesota column and to share some opinions about the Gophers football team, the Wolves and the Wild. Scoggins and Rand talked about the Gophers' overpowering performance on both sides of the line of scrimmage on Saturday, Anthony Edwards' continuing evolution as a leader for the Wolves and the Wild's promising start thanks to much better team speed. 27:00: Rand takes note of two more Eddie Rosario hits in Game 1 of the World Series -- another win for Atlanta and another game that took four-plus hours. And a Gophers women's basketball recruiting nugget that should give you hope for the future.

Introduction: In the most recent step in his evolution as the Wolves' leader -- even though he just turned 20 a couple months ago -- Anthony Edwards said after Minnesota's first loss of the season Monday that he and his top-scoring teammates must do a better job sharing the ball and getting other players involved on offense. "There's no 'I' in team. We can't beat five people with three people," Edwards said after a 107-98 loss to New Orleans. "We beat five people with five people." 7:00: Gophers football beat writer Randy Johnson joins the show after Minnesota's most recent impressive win, 34-16 over Maryland. With games coming up against Northwestern and Illinois, the path to a special season is there. But when the competition stiffens later in the year, the Gophers will also need to be able to diversify their offense and pass the ball. 16:00: Star Tribune soccer writer Jerry Zgoda joins the show to help advance two big matches this week. The U.S. Women's National Team plays Tuesday at Allianz Field against Korea Republic in what will be Carli Lloyd's final match. And Minnesota United has a key match Wednesday in Vancouver as it tries to hang onto a playoff spot.

Columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports as only they can provide. 3:00: Even without the Vikings playing, it was a busy weekend -- including another impressive win by P.J. Fleck's Gophers football team. Minnesota is now 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten, good enough for a tie atop the West standings. With two more winnable games on the horizon before a showdown with Iowa, it's Ok to think big. 11:00: Former Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario was named MVP of the National League Championship Series with Atlanta and will now play in the World Series for the first time. Reusse weighs in on all that makes Rosario great. 20:00: Reusse watched the Gophers volleyball team over the weekend and was concerned about a certain level of slippage from that program. Then the final three sets against Ohio State assuaged those fears. 28:00: The Wolves are 2-0 and playing defense (at least so far). The Wild is 4-1 even after a clunker on Sunday. There's plenty to like from both.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand found himself irrationally intrigued by Thursday night's NFL matchup between the Browns and Broncos because it featured a couple of old friends: Case Keenum quarterbacked the Browns in the absence of the injured Baker Mayfield, while Teddy Bridgewater is the Broncos' starter. The Browns prevailed in a 17-14 win, but more than anything the game reinforced that the Vikings got the best quarterback in Kirk Cousins when they made their 2018 decision. 4:00: Vikings/NFL writer Mark Craig joins the show for his weekly picks segment. It's not a marquee week in the NFL, but Craig found several upsets that he likes this week. He wouldn't go so far out on a limb, though, to pick any of the three double-digit underdogs to win outright. 18:00: Rand can't help himself. As the Ben Simmons situation continues to erupt in Philadelphia, he's still pining for a trade. Were you persuaded the Wolves should exit that chat by one good regular season performance? Also, with the NFL trade deadline coming in early November, is there anything the Vikings can do to bolster their cornerback depth? 20:00: The Star Tribune's Megan Ryan helps Rand break down a big weekend in men's college hockey with the No. 4 Gophers playing a home-and-away series against No. 5 Minnesota-Duluth. Which of these programs should be considered the model in the state?

Introduction: A big question heading into this Timberwolves season was whether a team that has floundered on defense for several seasons could finally find its way and at least be average on that side of the ball. Their 124-106 victory in Wednesday's opener over Houston was a positive indicator, albeit against a really bad team. The Wolves had 18 steals and 13 blocked shots in the win, which helped fuel an offensive surge from Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and D'Angelo Russell. 8:00: Wild goalie Cam Talbot joins the podcast and gives us an inside glimpse into the Wild's 6-5 comeback win over Winnipeg in Tuesday's home opener. Talbot also provides insight into why he signed with the Wild last season and shares the story of his journey to the NHL. 26:00: A new feature on Daily Delivery starts with a "voicemail" from Jon Marthaler and some Minnesota United soccer talk after the Loons rallied for a very important 3-2 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand is *usually* never one to give up on a game, but he did it on Tuesday night and regretted it. When the Wild gave up what looked like an empty-net goal with a little over a minute left in its home opener Tuesday vs. Winnipeg, Rand started channel surfing. It wasn't until more than an hour later, as he was scrolling social media, that he found out what happened: the goal was disallowed, the Wild tied it and then won in overtime on a pair of Joel Eriksson Ek goals. The Wild is undefeated and Rand is utterly defeated. 5:00: Wolves executive vice president Sachin Gupta joins the show to help preview the Timberwolves season as they begin play Wednesday night at Target Center against the Rockets. After the drama of the last month when Gersson Rosas was fired, can the Wolves stay drama-free and have a good direction on the court? And does Gupta, who helped invent ESPN's popular Trade Machine, still hop on it for a spin? 16:00: Continuing the Wolves theme, beat writer Chris Hine joins for a look at this year's roster and whether second-year coach Chris Finch can help a defense that has struggled for years become at least league average. Plus a Ben Simmons discussion as that situation continues to get ugly. 34:00: Bring on the robot umps.

It's Tuesday Morning Nickelback on Daily Delivery with three distinct and flavorful football segments: 2:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins for his weekly film review, helping host Michael Rand dissect how the Vikings were able to get their deep passing game going against the Panthers in Sunday's win. It showed a willingness to adapt on the part of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as well as an improvement in pass protection from the offensive line. 10:00: But did the offense do enough, even on a day when they gained more than 500 yards? One could say the Vikings still don't have enough trust in that side of the ball until absolutely necessary, and that the lack of trust could be this team's downfall. That and more were central to the discussion on this week's "My Least Favorite Team Is My Favorite Team." 25:00: Whether it was culture, skill or some combination of both, the Gophers' 30-23 win over Nebraska on Saturday put Minnesota in great position for a successful season. They'll need to continue to be balanced on offense as the season goes on, as Randy Johnson talked about and wrote about recently.

Host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse for a look back at another memorable weekend in sports -- and one in which Minnesota teams pretty much couldn't lose. The Gophers won. The Vikings won. The Loons won. The Wild won twice. It had Reusse in a ... positive mood? Well, sort of. After the Vikings' 34-28 overtime win over the Panthers, another harder-than-it-needed-to-be affair, Reusse declared the Vikings too talented to miss the playoffs. At 3-3 heading into the bye and with a stiff schedule test coming out of it, we will see if he is right. What's not in doubt: QB Kirk Cousins bailed out a defense that played well again for 55 minutes but couldn't close out another double-digit lead. The Gophers' win over Nebraska was declared a triumph of culture by head coach P.J. Fleck, part of a budding (and lopsided) rivalry with Scott Frost's Huskers. Combined with a stunning Iowa loss, it put Minnesota in control of its own destiny in the Big Ten West. Plus two Wild road wins to start the season are a good sign, while Reusse declared the Wolves to be ready to flirt with .500 and reach the NBA's play-in tournament.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand stayed up relatively late to watch the end of the epic deciding game of Giants vs. Dodgers, which finished after a clutch hit by Cody Bellinger and a bad check swing call on the Giants. In the big picture of it all, this much was not a surprise: The team with the biggest payroll in baseball advanced in the playoffs, while the overachiever did not. 5:00: Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins the show to preview a season that begins Friday in Anaheim. Can the Wild sustain last year's level of success -- this year against better competition and over 82 games? What does Year 2 of Kirill Kaprizov look like now that he won't take any teams by surprise? Can Kevin Fiala solidify his place in the team's long-term future? And what will this revamped defense look like? Those are some of the key story lines heading into an intriguing season. 20:00: Star Tribune NFL/Vikings writer Mark Craig joins the show for the weekly picks segment. The Vikings started out as a betting underdog against Carolina, but doubts over Christian McCaffrey's availability have moved the line a few points and now Minnesota is favored. It's a huge swing game for the Vikings, and it comes right after a wild ending against Detroit.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand watched the new-look NHL on TNT on Wednesday and came away with a positive outlook. There's something about the production quality on TNT that has always been high, and the channel has had massive success with its NBA studio show. If it can keep working to brand the NHL the same way -- having Charles Barkley playing goalie for Wayne Gretzky on Wednesday's debut was a good start -- the league will be in good hands. 5:00: Jason Gurwin from The Streamable joins the show for an update on where we stand with fans' ability -- and inability -- to watch Bally Sports North. Subscribers to Hulu and YouTube TV have been without BSN (formerly Fox Sports North) for about a year now, and there's no relief in sight. What we need now is a recalibration of our expectations. The problem is that for cord-cutters who don't want an expensive cable or satellite package, any sort of direct-to-consumer app offering a full package of in-market games they want doesn't seem to be on the immediate horizon. So viewers are stuck between the recent past and the distant future. 18:00: Rand gives some expanded thoughts on how the TV question ties into the question of legal sports gambling, while answering several reader emails from the larger story he wrote Sunday about the explosion of sports betting nationwide and what it means for Minnesota. He also shares some personal experiences about betting on offshore apps, something that is widespread. 29:00: If you're not watching the WNBA right now, you're missing out.

Introduction: Just when you thought the Kyrie Irving story couldn't get more bizarre or ridiculous, we read in The Athletic that the Nets guard -- who isn't vaccinated for COVID-19 and isn't going to be able to play this year as a result -- is taking a stand against mandates and wants to be a "voice for the voiceless." We learned all that, of course, from anonymous sources. The fact that Irving could have gotten the vaccine for several months before mandates were prevalent, and the irony of an anonymous source uttering that quote is almost too much to take. 4:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins host Michael Rand to discuss Neal's column on Jon Gruden and the fallout from the e-mails that led to his resignation. Neal says nothing will change in the NFL until more women and minorities are hired to help change the culture. Rand wonders if Gruden's firing, while completely justified, is just a cover for the NFL to avoid having to dive deeper into the other 650,000 emails that were reviewed as part of the probe into the Washington Football Team. Those in power don't give it up willingly, even when they should. 12:00: Star Tribune college basketball writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to give an update on Gophers men's basketball. The upcoming season could be rough, but it will be the beginning of Ben Johnson's vision. Also, a recruiting update from Fuller as well.

It's Tuesday Morning Nickelback time on Daily Delivery as host Michael Rand welcomes in three guests to break down the biggest stories in Minnesota football. 2:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins for his film review segment looking at the Vikings' disappointing run defense. After spending a lot of money and energy trying to fix that part of their team, the Vikings have had poor results so far this season. What was Detroit doing to exploit them? And might it get better once Anthony Barr is fully back to being himself? 11:00: My Least Favorite Team is My Favorite Team featuring Keith Richotte has a good back-and-forth between Rand and Richotte about the tension that exists between Kirk Cousins and Mike Zimmer following their postgame Alpha male shoving on Sunday. Just remember: The first time Cousins shouted "You like that!" in 2015 it was about vindication and proving doubters wrong. 26:00: Randy Johnson joins to talk about the latest Gophers football news that Trey Potts is out for the season and to preview Saturday's game against Nebraska.

Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend, which was dominated by a you-can't-make-this-up Vikings game. After being in control but failing to put away Detroit, the Vikings watched the Lions somehow grab a 17-16 lead with 37 seconds left, only to have Kirk Cousins and Greg Joseph rescue a win with some clutch throws and a clutch kick. But the win doesn't mask the underlying issues: The Vikings only scored 19 points a week after putting up just seven against Cleveland. There seem to be trust issues or playcalling issues -- or both -- holding the Vikings back. And even in a moment of exuberance after the winning field goal, there was a strange exchange between Cousins and head coach Mike Zimmer that ended with Zimmer shoving Cousins. Maybe it was just the excitement of the moment? Rand and Reusse also talk about the interminable MLB playoff games and two very disappointing soccer results.

Introduction: Thursday night is why we watch sports. Two games. Two things you might never see again. A straight steal of home by Tampa Bay's Randy Arozarena in a playoff game against Boston, the first such postseason steal in 76 years. And a double punt -- yes, a double punt -- in the Seahawks vs. Rams game. 4:00: Mark Craig joins host Michael Rand for their NFL picks segment. Mark is basically taunting Vikings fans by saying there is no way they can lose to the Lions on Sunday. While Rand tends to agree, anything is possible. Plus a look at the Packers vs. Bengals and other big matchups this weekend. 17:00: Mike Hastings, head coach for the Minnesota State (Mankato) men's hockey team, joins the show to preview a big weekend series between the No. 1 Mavericks and No. 2 St. Cloud State. We also discuss the expanding State of Hockey with St. Thomas joining Division I and just how Hastings has been able to build such a successful program at Mankato.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes note of Wild owner Craig Leipold's comments Wednesday on Ryan Suter and Zach Parise plus the Kirill Kaprizov signing. On both fronts, it was a good dose of honesty from the Wild owner. Leipold said he would do the Parise and Suter signings again "in an absolute second" and said he was convinced Kaprizov would sign. 6:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins the show to talk about some interesting Twins news about reassigning their hitting coach and his plan to put Jorge Polanco back at shortstop in 2022 (which has Rand's support as well). Plus Neal and Rand revisit the predictions they made about individual performances for Twins players six months ago to see who fared better. Let's just say La Velle did better than Rand -- and the Twins. 21:00: Four things about Phil Miller's season-ending Twins roster breakdown caught Rand's eye. 25:00: Some love for the Wild Card format, something MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred actually got right. And Rand answers a couple of your burning questions about music.

Introduction: Michael Rand doesn't watch as much baseball as he used to, which at various points in his life has been A LOT of baseball. But Wednesday night's Wild Card game between the Yankees and Red Sox drew him in for a number of reasons and made him realize just how great the game can still be. Plus, the Yankees lost. So all was well with the night. 6:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins the show to talk about his latest Football Across Minnesota column, which leads with him partaking in film review with the Minnesota State (Mankato) football team -- an eye-opening experience that left Scoggins appreciating just how intricate football really is. Scoggins and Rand also tried to get to the heart of the Vikings' offensive line problems, and Scoggins confessed that he has Wolves and Wild fever already in early October. 24:00: Is Kyrie Irving really only going to play road games for the Nets this season? Andrew Wiggins was stubborn, but at least he got the COVID vaccine. Irving seems prepared to hold out. And good news for soccer fans: The MLS All-Star Game is coming to Allianz Field in 2022.