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A glimpse into the Giants-Vikings Week 16 matchup on Saturday.

Marquee Matchup

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook vs. Giants ILBs Jaylon Smith, Micah McFadden and Landon Collins

Stopping the run has been a bugbear for the Giants all season. The stat category that best fits this team should be Not Stopping the Run. This defense is 30th in the league, allowing 150.4 yards per game and showing an inability to contain all rushing attacks. The Vikings prefer throwing and are just 28th in the NFL on rushing offense at 95.4 yards per game. Don’t let that fool you. Cook (230-1,045; eight TDs) is a formidable challenge. The Giants’ inside linebacker spot is a mess, which is why Collins will get some snaps and another natural safety, Tony Jefferson, will also be in the mix.

Jaylon SmithUSA TODAY Sports

Dalvin Cook Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Paul’s choice

When the Vikings roll and the joint bounces and the crowd starts chanting “Skol,” it’s a tough spot for the street team. No wonder the Vikings are 7-1 at home this season. The Giants got what they needed last week, but lest we forget, they managed to score just 13 points on offense. That is not neglected here. Forcing turnovers from Kirk Cousins ​​and Saquon Barkley running wild is the combination required to pull off the surprise.

Vikings 27, Giants 17

4 descents

Popgun Attack: The Giants are last in the league in explosive passing — completions of 20 yards or more — with just 21. For comparison, the Chiefs lead the NFL with 62. The Vikings are in 13th place with 43. Don’t the Giants ask Daniel Jones? to look deeply or can’t its recipients tear themselves away?

“I would say every game is just different when it comes to how you want to attack a defense,” said offensive coordinator Mike Kafka. “In some games you want that, in some games you want something different.”

On the other hand, Jones has fewer interceptions (four) than any starting quarterback. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​has 11.

Story of the two halves: There is no way of knowing how the Vikings will react after their week 15 experience. They made the biggest comeback in NFL history, trailing 33-0 at halftime against the Colts and roaring back to earn a 39-36 victory in overtime. Did that exhaust the Vikings or give them energy?

“Very strange situation,” said security chief Julian Love. “That shows how resilient they are, because Kirk Cousins ​​was a part of some of them. It shows that you can’t let up against them, they have too many weapons not to be wary. We need to be locked up.”

From the inside to the outside: Rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux and sophomore Azeez Oljulari are two 22-year-old outside linebackers and rising edge rushers. You have received deserved recognition for your work over the past month. They are spurred on by the play of central defenders Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams. It’s no coincidence that Lawrence had a quiet game against the Eagles in Week 14 when Williams was out with a neck injury.

“When Leo isn’t out there, Dex has four hands in the game all the time,” defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said. Lawrence was selected for his first Pro Bowl this week. Notably, the Vikings are sidelined with a relapse without their regular Garrett Bradberry.

Locked in: Saquon Barkley has had longer runs and more productive plays, but the three straight rushes he had in the fourth quarter last week — bursts for 12, 15, and 14 yards — were a show of strength Barkley and the offensive line haven’t seen much this season .

“You, as they would say, you come in your pocket,” Barkley said. “That means you’re getting into your zone. You start to feel good. Of course, if you tear off the first one, you get into the second, third. For me, I just want to figure out how to get four, five, six.”

The return of Ben Bredeson down the left made a difference. The Vikings are 18th in the league in running defense and allowing 120.4 yards per game. The Giants are sixth in rushing offense at 146.2 yards per game.

That Detroit Lions (7-7) travels to Charlotte to take on her Carolina Panther (5-9) Saturday at 1 p.m. ET (FOX). Below we analyze the lines of Tipico Sportsbook around the Lions vs Panthers opportunitiesand meet our expert NFL tips and predictions.

The Lions are on a 6-game winning streak and chasing a playoff berth in the NFC. They beat the Jets 20-17 last Sunday as a 2.5-point underdog. QB Jared Goff has led a high-octane offensive launched by RBs Jamal Williams and D’Andre Swift and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Since moving back to Sam Darnold at QB the Panthers played better. They lost 24-16 at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week as a 2.5-point favorite. While coach Steve Wilks keeps the team playing hard, the Lions are hungry and their offense can overwhelm many defenses. The Panthers’ defense will struggle to contain the guns Detroit can throw at them, and that could result in a one-sided game.

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Lions to Panthers odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; For a full list, visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Hub. The lines were last updated at 7:05 AM ET.

• Money Line (ML): Lions -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Panthers +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
• Against Spread (ATS): Leo -2.5 (-118) | Panthers +2.5 (-102)
• Over/Under (O/U): 43.5 (O: -110 | B: -110)

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Lions on Panthers key injuries

lions

• OIL Kayode Awosika (ankle) off
• OT Taylor Decker (elbow) questionable
• S DeShon Elliott (shoulder) out
• C Frank Ragnow (foot) questionable

Panthers

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Lions at Panthers tips and predictions

forecast

Lions 30, Panthers 17

money line

HAPPEN.

Detroit’s -140 price is a satisfying number for the Lions. Especially in a game. But the Lions will cover the spread so I’d rather play there and save the juice.

against the spread

BET LIONS -2.5 (-118).

Even if you don’t think the Lions will blow out the Panthers, getting the Lions under a FG is excellent value.

The Lions are the better team and even if the inclement weather comes as expected, Williams and Swift’s running game can carry the Lions to this win. Williams leads the NFL with 14 rushing TDs, and while the Panthers’ defense is okay, it’s not great. Detroit’s offensive line has been outstanding so far and the Lions will score one way or another.

over under

BET OVER 43.5 (-110).

Detroit games are 9-5 over this season while the Panthers are 6-8 over. I expect the Lions to control the pace of this game and that means there should be plenty of possessions and plenty of points up for grabs. Many of the games have lower totals this weekend due to weather concerns. But this game should not be among them and the number is too small. OVER 43.5 (-110) is my FAVOURITE GAME.

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Quebec’s Édouard Julien’s progress was highlighted on Tuesday by specialist site Baseball America, which crowned him the fourth-best pick for the Minnesota Twins.

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According to the Major League Prospects measure, the L’Ancienne-Lorette native has done enough over the past year to move up from 14th to fourth on the Twins’ board.

In 2022, Julien was the top offensive engine in Wichita’s Wind Surge at the AA level. In 113 games, he hit .300, drove 67 runs and hit 17 long pitches.

This excellent campaign has not gone unnoticed for the Minnesota team, who added Julien’s name to their list of 40 players last month. He could accept the call of the big club from the coming season.

“For me, the goal is the same every year and to make it to the majors. I guess I’ll start in St. Paul [AAA]but I have no certainty,” he revealed in an interview with “Le Journal de Montréal”.

Baseball America named Julien the twins with the best batting zone measurement.

With the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the consecration of Argentina, many doubts were raised about the next edition of the World Cup World Championship. As is known, FIFA announced that it will make a number of changes for the 2026 tournament, among which the increase in places and the change in format stand out.

Regarding the first point, the body confirmed the distribution of the quotas for each confederation and in this way Conmebol will bring together six winners one and a half in view of the fair that will take place in Mexico, Canada and the United States.

How many places will there be for the 2026 World Cup?

The next edition of the World Cup will feature 48 participating teams, as opposed to the 32 that competed in Qatar 2022.

• Asia: 8.5
• Africa: 9.5
• North, Central America and the Caribbean: 6.5
• Europe: 16
• South America: 6.5
• Oceania: 1.5

Qatar 2022 World Cup odds

WM-2026 format

With a larger number of squads (48), the entity is forced to change their usual system (8 eight groups of four teams each).

As The Guardian mentioned, FIFA co-evaluated a format 12 groups of four teams each. This way, the top two and top eight thirds would qualify for a direct elimination instance (round of 16, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals).

When does the 2026 World Cup start?

So far, FIFA has mentioned that the next edition of the World Cup will again take place in the middle of the year, just like before Qatar 2022.

Where will the 2026 World Cup be held?

For the first time in history, the 2026 World Cup will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley was selected as the AFC’s fourth alternate Pro Bowl quarterback, one spot after third alternate Pro Bowl quarterback Lamar Jackson, the quarterback he’s replacing again on Saturday, league sources told ESPN.

Huntley, who will start his third game of the season against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday, received more votes than other quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill, Derek Carr and Mac Jones, who went to the Pro Bowl in his rookie year last season.

If any of the top three quarterbacks voted for Pro Bowl weekend — Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow — decide not to participate, there’s a chance the Ravens will have two quarterbacks who attending and participating in the Pro Bowl weekend, which is believed to be a league first.

2 relatives

Huntley is slated to be a free agent this offseason and will continue his attempt Saturday to prove his worth to Baltimore and other teams. Should some of the top quarterbacks retire and Huntley go to the Pro Bowl, his offseason value could be further enhanced.

The 24-year-old Huntley has completed 70.3% of his passes for 413 yards this season, no touchdowns and two interceptions this season while also rushing for 87 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries.

There was optimism this week that Jackson would return, but he missed all three practice sessions. He hasn’t recovered since suffering a knee injury in the first quarter of a 10-9 win over the Denver Broncos on Dec. 4.

The Ravens have lost five of the six games Jackson has not started in the past two years.

Without Jackson this season, Baltimore has been held to 16 points or fewer in three straight games for the first time since 2000. The Ravens have had just two touchdowns in three games, including none in their last seven quarters.

The Ravens (9-5) can secure their fourth place in the playoffs in five seasons by the end of this weekend. Baltimore can go through with a win over Atlanta and at least two losses from these three AFC East teams (Dolphins, Patriots and Jets). The Ravens can also reach the postseason if the Jets, Patriots, Browns, Colts, Raiders, and Titans all lose.

ESPN’s Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.

It’s likely that every year Universitario fans wonder if they finally have a proper team to win, although it’s hard to know. When the championship begins it seems that the team is the right one and that it will be enough to break the losing streak, but by the end of the season there is general disappointment and heads are being blamed for another disappointing tournament. The sports management team came together for this in 2023 Manuel Barreto and the technical vision of Carlo Compagnucci They’ve fielded a team that excites, but will it be the one fighting for title 27?

The 2022 team and departures

the strip of Gregory Perez Upon his return in 2021, he caught the attention of Meringue fans as he was achieving good results with what he had. Because of this, the board gave him a “free card” in the 2022 pre-season to sign and retain the players he is considering for the new championship.

With Novick, Alonso, Quintero, Corzo, Valera and Carvallo as references, the ‘U’ made several signatures that at the time surprised by their projection and experience, like Alfonso Barco, Joao and Roberto Villamarín, Cayetano, Vilca and Andy Polo. But with the unexpected departure of ‘Goyo’ and the arrival of Álvaro Gutiérrez, the signings made no difference in the first half of the year, the cream team trailing far in the Apertura and eliminated from Phase 2 of the Copa Libertadores.

Although the team improved with the arrival of Compagnucci because Some players stood out (like Quispe, Succar and Cabanillas) and they ended the year with an important unbeaten streak, fans fervently calling for a revolution, something that materialized with the nine starts.

• Frederick Alonso
• Gerson Barreto
• Rodrigo Vilca
• Guillermo Larios
• Nelinho Quina
• Alberto Quintero
• Ivan Santillan
• Herman Novick
• Leonardo Ruegel

The Universitario de Deportes qualified for the 2023 Copa Sudamericana. Photo: La República

A team that inspires

For the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Universitario ended its participation in Liga 1 at the end of October. While contract players and extensions were on holiday, The leadership began hiring football players for the new season.

Shortly after the end of the year, the ‘U’ realized 12 signings and strengthened all positions of the field at a high level. Although they managed to hire half a year later Jordan Guivin and Jorge Murrugarra’s level has risen, it would be necessary to hire an extra “10” to switch to Quispe, as Novick’s departure affects that position.

• Goalkeeper: Alejandro Alcala.
• Defenders: Hugo Ancajima, José Luján, Marco Saravia, and José Bolívar Matias di Benedetto.
• Steering wheel: Rodrigo Urena and Horacio Calcaterra.
• Forward: Martin Perez Guedes, Jose Rivera, Emanuel Herrera and Bruno Sepulveda.

Emanuel Herrera and Martín Pérez Guedes are the departures of the “U” for the 2023 season. Photo: Composition LR/Universitario

Definitive, The 2023 squad is better than the 2022 squad in terms of names and position reinforcement. The arrival of players like Di Benedetto, Ureña, Calcaterra and Herrera elevates the squad’s prize to a level worthy of a university. A few more additions would be ideal to close the roster, but if it stays like this The minimum commitment of this team is to be the protagonist.

Quarterback Zach Wilson was less than usual Thursday night and one wonders if he played his last game in a New York Jets uniform.

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The second overall pick in the 2021 draft completed just nine of 18 passes for 92 yards, along with one interception, in a 19-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The 23-year-old was sent to the bench in the second quarter when head coach Robert Saleh sent on Chris Streveler instead. The former Canadian Football League center was the Jets’ fourth quarterback for a long time this season.

Wilson was back as a starter for the New York club for the second straight year due to Mike White’s injury. The Jets’ No. 2 lost his job after the Nov. 20 game against the New England Patriots. The Jets offense was completely ineffective during that game and the quarterback responded by not taking responsibility for the loss to the media.

“I just felt like I didn’t have any rhythm,” Wilson said during a post-Jaguars press conference.

“It starts with me. I have to get better,” he added.

Worse and worse

Wilson’s underperformance came at a terrible time for the Jets, who are seeing their hopes of melting the playoffs like snow in the sun.

The Big Apple club surprised more than one at the start of the season but are on an ugly four-game losing streak. The Jets are 7-8 and bottom in the AFC East Division.

“We’re not even talking about the playoffs,” Saleh said. It’s more about getting out of our trough and finding a damn way to play better football.”

The Jets have more than a week to try and find solutions, returning to action on January 1. On this occasion they visit the Seattle Seahawks.

Could a familiar face return to New England in 2023 to steer the offense in the right direction?

Sources say Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is a good option to return to his former home and resume his old role as OC under Bill Belichick for next season. This would be one possible answer to an important question about the future of the Patriots.

O’Brien was the OC of the Crimson Tide for two seasons under Alabama head coach Nick Saban and will face Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

The Patriots’ offense has been a source of frustration all season, with quarterback Mac Jones voicing his despair on the field in high-profile moments and Belichick constantly faced questions about the Patriots’ struggling offense. In an interview with WEEI on December 5, Belichick said, “I think we need to do better at what we do. I don’t think we’re going to make a lot of dramatic changes at this point… it’s too difficult to do that.”

That shifts focus to a likely change this offseason to expand and enhance this season’s coaching from current play-caller Matt Patricia, quarterbacks coach Joe Judge and others. O’Brien’s skill and experience would no doubt help.

When O’Brien joined Saban’s staff in Alabama in 2021, he made a commitment to Saban to end his two-year contract. That time is upon us and sources say there has been no renewal and a return to the NFL is a real thought for O’Brien.

O’Brien’s true influence is difficult to measure given that Tom Brady was in his prime for most of O’Brien’s tenure and is evidently no longer in New England. Regardless, the success they’ve had together has been remarkable.

With O’Brien from 2007 to 2011, the Patriots led the league with 30.7 points per game and finished second with 393.1 yards per game. Since leaving in 2011, the club has lost three points per game on average.

New England also led the league with 30+ points in 46 games from 2007-11 (57.5%) and has done so in just 70 games since 2012 (40%).

The difference is significant based on the numbers alone.

The Patriots aren’t eliminated from the playoff race, and there’s a chance of a postseason spot if they can string together some wins.

Jones was asked this week if staying optimistic was difficult.

“I think it comes down to just trusting the process of everything and doing whatever it takes to become a great football player,” Jones said. “At some point that will show up in the film. So a lot of things as offense, it’s 11 guys and you have to try and get everyone as a quarterback to do the right thing and make sure we’re all on the same page. We used to do that sometimes. But just to get that consistency. Obviously with myself too.”