"With their current roster looking more or less set for the season, and Jones and Covington’s return timetables still up the in the air, I’m not really liking their playoff chances at the moment. The West is just too deep (especially if the Lakers end up getting Anthony Davis) and they’ll need to establish a level of consistency they haven’t shown yet to have a shot at the playoffs. But as we all know, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!! "

Rambling On is Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Daily content and conversation, on Twitter and Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Thursday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). Monthly content on pro Minnesota sports teams is released during the first week of the month or when there's big news.

KAT can't stay out of foul trouble, two disappointing losses to Utah, a buzzer beater in Memphis, and the grim state of the Wolves playoff chances in this edition. As usual, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland interviews Wolves analyst Beartrap McManus.

Thanks for your support!

What needs to come together for the Wolves to make the playoffs?
Devastating injuries to Donovan Mitchell, LaMarcus Aldridge, and De’Aaron Fox? Medical science-defying recoveries from RoCo and TyJo (we don’t need to start calling him TyJo, that wasn’t a good idea)? New legs for Derrick Rose?

I’m really not sure. With their current roster looking more or less set for the season, and Jones and Covington’s return timetables still up the in the air,  I’m not really liking their playoff chances at the moment. The West is just too deep (especially if the Lakers end up getting Anthony Davis) and they’ll need to establish a level of consistency they haven’t shown yet to have a shot at the playoffs. But as we all know, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!! 

Is KAT’s foul trouble concerning to you? Do you think he lets his emotions get the best of him too much?
It’s starting to become deeply troubling. With all their injuries, the Wolves absolutely need him to play well in order to win. He’s still put up impressive numbers in games where he’s been in foul trouble, his current foul rate is unacceptable. 

I’m not sure if it’s his emotions as much as it is his mindset, though he could stand to do a lot less reacting to calls by the officials. His response to adversity has always been to do more. He’s got a crazy motor and work ethic, and his renewed sense of defensive purpose has made him overzealous, which could be the root of the foul issue. But I’ve never met the dude, so who knows?

The Grizzlies usually have KAT’s number, but he got hit a buzzer-beater to seal a 99-97 victory on Wednesday. Your thoughts on his performance and the game in general?
KAT’s always struggled against larger skilled bigs like Marc Gasol (see also Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid), but he played well in his limited minutes in the second half after a scoreless first spent mostly on the bench in foul jail.

The Wolves got off to a decent start, riding three different  four power forward lineups at the end of the first/start of the second quarter to a 17 point lead before allowing a very-not-good Grizzlies team to tie it up at halftime (mostly on the backs of their only good players, Gasol and Mike Conley). The Wolves barely got by, mostly due to good performances from their bench, notably Gorgui Dieng and Anthony Tolliver (aka Tony 3 aka Tony T).

It was a win, but an uninspiring one outside of that final play.

Did the two losses to the Jazz concern you at all?
Definitely. The near-comeback in the game in Utah was inspiring, but it doesn’t erase the pitiful first half play that necessitated it. 

The second game featured one of their most miserable defensive performances of the season. The Jazz lit them up with threes. I’m not even sure they were trying to guard. It’s a shame, because they wasted a great 35 point offensive performance from Wiggins. 

Beartrap McManus is an NBA and Timberwolves expert. He has been a life coach for Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland since before time, a consultant for Rambling On since its founding, and Timberwolves analyst beginning in Series Five. He resides with his wife and twelve kids in Hurley, Wisconsin, where his wife owns a popular supper club.

"I’d considered going with Andrew Wiggins for my third choice, as he really has played well this season, but I feel like his more lackluster games really stand out, especially given the importance of his role on the team. So I'm going to go with..."

Rambling On is Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Daily content and conversation, on Twitter and Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Thursday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). Monthly content on pro Minnesota sports teams is released during the first week of the month or when there's big news.

Our Wolves analyst Beartrap McManus has some obvious and some subversive choices for the three MVPs of the Wolves season so far.

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Let's keep this one simple: who are the three MVPs of the Wolves season so far?
KAT is the only clear choice here. He’s addressed his defensive issues from last season, especially since Jimmy Butler was traded. He remains a dominant force on offense and his second All-Star selection is well deserved. His only real weakness is an inability to not foul.

Robert Covington’s effect on the team was immediate and his absence has contributed greatly to their struggles. He decisiveness and ability to space the floor on offense made him an effective and relatively low-use compliment to Towns and Wiggins. His presence on the floor also really helped open things up for them. There’s really not enough that can be said about his defense. He racked up steals, strips, and deflections with his combination of length and instincts. He’d also defend the larger wing, allowing Wiggins to be more effective guarding smaller wings. The Wolves played their best stretch of basketball during the month between the Butler trade and his injury.

I’d considered going with Andrew Wiggins for my third choice, as he really has played well this season, but I feel like his more lackluster games really stand out, especially given the importance of his role on the team. I’m going to have to go with Tyus Jones. He’s been one of the most efficient players in the league in terms of assist/turnover ratio and had stepped up his shooting after a truly terrible start to the season. He’s the ultimate glue guy and performed well with both the bench and starters.

I should probably mention Derrick Rose here, as I’m sure Erik and others are wondering why I didn’t include him. His inability to stay healthy (seems hypocritical after choosing Covington and Jones, I know) is obviously a hindrance, but the game-to-game nature of it makes it tough to establish consistency.

He’s obviously made a remarkable comeback after several years of being a non-factor for the Knicks and Cavs, but he still isn’t what he used to be, and hasn’t changed his approach to reflect that. He’s certainly won them some games with his heroics, but can also shoot too much on a team with a historically great and gifted offensive player in Towns. He tends to dominate the ball too much late in games, allowing defenses to focus on him and his teammates to become unengaged.

Ultimately, Rose has absolutely had some great moments in a Timberwolves uniform this season, but I wouldn’t put him on this list.

​Beartrap McManus is an NBA and Timberwolves expert. He has been a life coach for Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland since before time, a consultant for Rambling On since its founding, and Timberwolves analyst beginning in Series Five. He resides with his wife and twelve kids in Hurley, Wisconsin, where his wife owns a popular supper club.

"I'm not a big fan of the All-Star game in any sport, much less hockey. They are boring and unappealing. No one is really trying and it comes off like some players don't want to be there. They might be honored to be chosen, but they'd rather be at home spending time with family and resting their body."

Rambling On is your home for Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Check out our daily content, and join the conversation, on Twitter or Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Thursday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). The first and third Fridays feature content from our non-active pro sports teams, the Vikings and Twins respectively at the moment. 

All-Star game love and hate, three big Wild victories against strong opponents, the defense without Dumba, and some minor trades in this edition.. Wild analyst Peter Ripka, along with new contributor Jeff Hartfiel,  answer questions from Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland.

Thanks for your support!

The Wild went into the All-Star break strong with three impressive wins against the Blue Jackets, Golden Knights, and Avalanche. Which victory was the most impressive?
Peter: The Avalanche game was the most impressive. They went into that game having been outscored something 19-4 over the last four games there. They shut down one of the best lines in the league this year. They held the entire team shotless nearly the last 14 minutes of the third.

Jeff: Three wins in row is impressive. The Wild really needed to get back into the playoff picture, which they accomplished. They also needed a confidence boost going into the All-Star break. It is more impressive considering the three teams they did it against, all three of which are currently in a playoff position.

The Avalanche game was the most impressive, as they have one of the top lines in hockey and are a division opponent, so that makes it more meaningful. They impressively held MacKinnon and Rantanen to an assist apiece and four shots between them, which also shows that the defense maybe coming around. That's a good thing, as they have been struggling to find consistently since the loss of Dumba. Let's hope this continues after their eight-day break and they come back firing on all cylinders.

Who was the star of each game?
Peter: 
Blue Jackets This game is hard to pick out a star, they played a really close game and had solid defensive effort. I'll take the low hanging fruit and pick Parise, simply because he scored the winner. 

Golden Knights Dubnyk without a doubt. He made a lot of big saves to keep the game close or tied, often while being peppered with shots by a team that is dominate at home.

Avalanche Greg Pateryn, again without a doubt. He had a very gutsy shift and was blocking shots in key moments all night. One sequence he blocked three in like 17 seconds off of three separate parts of his body. That was a key moment late in the second when the Wild were trapped in their own zone.

Jeff: It's hard not to go with Greenway as the star for the last three games, just because he has elevated his game so much. But if I have to pick one from each game...

The Blue Jackets Charlie Coyle. He has been playing his role perfectly, using his big frame of his to drive forecheck and drive to the net. Maybe it's the new line of him with Greenway and Staal, as all three have elevated there game since being teamed together. Let's hope it continues. Could be big for the Wild.

Golden Knights Dubnyk  (in addition to Greenway). Dubby stopped 30 of 32 shots while holding a very good team in check. Sure, he allowed two goals, but the saves he made are more impressive. He remains one of the most consistent players on this team. 

As for Greenway, he didn't light up the stat sheet (had two shots and a assist), but the little things he is doing are important. His forechecking, backchecking, going to the corner, and drawing penalties are all impressive. 

Avalanche Eric Staal, who had two goals and an assist. It looks like he has found his game and is playing really well. Not sure if it's his new line, but he's playing like he finally woke up, and I'm enjoying it. If he keeps this going it'll be great for the Wild. 

How is the defense holding up without Dumba? How will the addition of former Golden Knight Brad Hunt change that landscape and what do you think of the trade?
Peter: Suter and Spurgeon have both picked up their game over the last couple weeks. This level of play needs to continue to fill the void.

Overall they're treading water. The strangest part of adding Hunt is that he is a small left shift defenseman. The one thing this team didn't need was a left shift d-man, so when the trade happened I was a bit puzzled. But after reading and learning more about him, I realized that he was brought in for a very cheap price for his big shot. The move should help the power play once he knocks the rust off from playing only 14 games this season.

Jeff: The defense has had there struggles since losing Dumba. They've had trouble finding consistency and good pairings outside of Suter and Spurgeon. That's why they brought up Belpedio and traded for Hunt. Pateryn has been playing out of position on the second pairing and not meshing to well with Brodin. Hence the moves the Wild and Fenton have made.

Bringing in Hunt, who has offensive upside, will be helpful. Hopefully he'll help the Wild down the stretch by scoring and stabilizing the defense a little more by adding depth.

What are your thoughts on the All-Star game?
Peter: This is one of the few All-Star games I enjoy watching because it gives a chance for the players to show off all their talent. The NHL made the right decision to go with the current format. It is definitely fun to watch.

Jeff:  I'm not a big fan of the All-Star game in any sport, much less hockey. They are boring and unappealing. No one is really trying and it comes off like some players don't want to be there. They might be honored to be chosen, but they'd rather be at home spending time with family and resting their body.

The NHL tries hard to try to get fans more interested. Maybe if they put more effort into getting the players interested in the game you wouldn't have something like Ovechkin skipping it and accepting his one game suspension for doing so.

I understand they should want to do it for the fans, but  the NHL needs to figure out a way that both fans and the players can enjoy All-Star weekend. But that can be said about all the All-Star games, as they're just not enjoyable. And the voting for all of them is even worse. Maybe they should just select an All-Star team, not play the game, and give the players a week off to spend time at home with their families.

​Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

Jeff Hartfiel is a Minnesota sports analyst specializing in the Wild and Vikings. He's been a part of Rambling On since 2018.

"Saunders going deep into the bench with his rotations and playing so many players is starting to look less like open-mindedness or situational coaching and more and more like throwing shit at the wall to see what sticks."

Rambling On is Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Daily content and conversation, on Twitter and Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Thursday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). The first and third Fridays will feature content from our non-active pro sports teams, the Vikings and Twins respectively at the moment. 

The Wolves lose embarrassingly to the 76ers, a little less embarrassingly to the Spurs, Wiggins talk, Saunders talk, and trade possibilities in this edition. As usual, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland interviews Wolves analyst Beartrap McManus.

Thanks for your support!

So, what the hell happened in the 76ers 149-107 drubbing of the Wolves?
The Wolves didn’t show up. At all. They got murdered in the paint on both ends and the Sixers pretty much got what they wanted all game. I’m not sure if Jimmy Butler is still in Wiggins and Towns’ heads but that game was embarrassing. The less said about it, the better.

The Wolves had a decent first half against the Spurs, but then the wheels fell off and they lost 116-113. Your thoughts?
KAT was the victim of some lousy calls, but his penchant for getting into foul trouble is really becoming an issue. He had 23 points in 21 minutes and I’d imagine would’ve made an impact in the final minutes of such a close game. Wiggins had a pretty lackluster game and disappeared for large stretches as well.

Wiggins continues to be infuriatingly inconsistent. What are your thoughts on his recent play? Would you trade him if you could?
I’d absolutely trade him for the right price at this point. He’s often shown his potential but has yet to live up to it for any significant stretch of time. There’s still plenty to love about Wiggins as a basketball player, but the Wolves have so much of their salary cap tied up in him they’d be foolish to not explore all their options.  

If they can find someone to take him in exchange for either a more productive player on a similar contract (I saw Mike Conley brought up on Twitter and found that quite intriguing), or a package of future assets/expiring contracts that won’t tie up their salary long term, they should consider it. It’d be a tall order to get such a deal done but they shouldn’t see Wiggins as at all untouchable. 

Speaking of trades, do you think the Wolves should make any moves?
They should be taking a serious look at moving Jeff Teague. He’s too inconsistent and has a developed an infuriating habit of passing up wide open 3s just to drive into traffic. He also dribbles too damn much and slows down the offense. Tyus has played better with the starters, both this season and last, and for a fraction of Teague’s contract. That being said, I’m not sure what we could trade him for without attaching more assets. 

What is your assessment of Ryan Saunders job as coach so far?
It’s still early on in his tenure and tough to say, but I do think that his going deep into the bench with his rotations and playing so many players is starting to look less like open-mindedness or situational coaching and more and more like throwing shit at the wall to see what sticks. The Wolves could use some consistency in their rotations and hopefully he’ll begin bringing that soon. 

Beartrap McManus is an NBA and Timberwolves expert. He has been a life coach for Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland since before time, a consultant for Rambling On since its founding, and Timberwolves analyst beginning in Series Five. He resides with his wife and twelve kids in Hurley, Wisconsin, where his wife owns a popular supper club.

"The Kloos for Aberg trade was actually bigger than dealing Nino. Yes, Nino was a fan and teammate favorite, but the move filled a larger need. Aberg is a goal-scoring, fast, extremely skilled RIGHT shot forward. He fills in so many gaps that this team hasn't had for years. Considering that he's a restricted free agent with a meager 650k cap hit, he's also low-risk."

Rambling On is your home for Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Check out our daily content, and join the conversation, on Twitter or Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Thursday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). The first and third Fridays feature content from our non-active pro sports teams, the Vikings and Twins respectively at the moment. 

Three ugly losses, two big trades, and more in this weeks edition. Wild analyst Peter Ripka, along with new contributor Jeff Hartfiel,  answer questions from Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland.

Thanks for your support!

When we last left our heroes, the Wild had won four of five and were looking like we’d gotten out of the winter swoon. Since then, of course, we’ve lost three of four to terrible teams. 

What have been the worse problems? 
Peter: The same thing that seems to always plague Minnesota sports teams: playing down to their opponents. For some reason, they go onto the ice and think it will come easy, with simply no desire to compete and showing no effort. Several times our forwards on the back check just stopped skating and players in the defensive zone just watching the play.

Jeff: The worst problems have always been consistency and execution. Recently, it's like they are playing with no sense of urgency or heart.
​
This is why Paul Fenton is making changes. Most of this group has been together for a few years and we always get the same result. Fans are blaming the coach, but this was going on before Bruce. It's time to bring in some new players to shake things up and hopefully light a fire.

If that is trading fan favorites, so be it. I'm a Nino fan, but I understand what Fenton is trying to do. It is time for a culture change. Sacrifices are going to be made to get to the ultimate goal. It is not going to be easy, but I'll go along for the ride in hopes that he is doing what is best for the teams future. Hopefully the players start to recognize things and start playing with some heart and urgency. 

Is there any silver lining in these games?
Peter: It showed the new GM some of the issues that this team may have been hiding from him. It showed their true colors.

Jeff: As far as play goes, there is no silver lining in losing to three of the worst teams in the league. It shows you where the Wild are as a team, and how there is no real accountability or leadership in the locker room.

If there is anything good coming out of this, is that Paul Fenton is just as sick of seeing this team playing like this as the fans are. Hence the trades he has made and I am pretty sure ones he isn't done yet.

What was the worst loss?
Peter: The Philadelphia game stands out most to me. Although the Red Wings game at HOME is right up there. The Philly game to me was the worst because Dubnyk said he felt good and he was seeing the puck well and he flat-out stunk.

Jeff: It's tough to pick the worst loss. You can't go in expecting to win every game. Coach Boudreau said that the Detroit game is the worst he's seen the team play, so you could say that was the worst loss.

At least during he Flyers game they tried to come back until the third. As for the Ducks game, Stalock gave up three goals on eight shots, which took the wind out of our sails quickly. After Dubby came in for Stalock the scoring stopped for the Ducks, but the Wild couldn't get any lucky bounces or quality shots.

All in all, I would go with the coaches opinion and say the Detroit game was the worst loss on the whole.

The Wild made two trades, one medium sized and one a bit bigger. First the bigger name: what do you think of the trade of Nino Niederreiter to the Hurricanes for Victor Rask? Who got the better deal? Who do you think is the better player?
Peter: That trade confused a lot of people, including me. Looking at the stat lines, the Canes got a much better end of this deal.

However, after I started thinking about it more, I feel like the Wild got what they needed. It was a bad contract for a bad contract trade, but the Wild got 1.25M in cap relief and another center to make them a little deeper and younger down the middle.

Jeff: The trade features two struggling forwards who needed a change of scenery. Nino is a left-handed shot who was playing on the right side and it wasn't working. Maybe with him going to the Hurricanes he can move to the left side and his game elevates for the Hurricanes. In Rask, the Wild get another center who could benefit from the change of scenery, in addition to giving them more depth at the position. 

In the other move, prospect Justin Kloos was sent to the Anaheim Ducks for Pontus Aberg. Your thoughts?
Peter: This trade was actually bigger than the Nino trade. Yes, Nino was a fan and teammate favorite, but this trade helped fill a larger need. Aberg is a goal-scoring, fast, extremely skilled RIGHT shot forward. He fills in so many gaps that this team hasn't had for years. Considering that he's a restricted free agent with a meager 650k cap hit, he's also low-risk.

Jeff: The Wild gave up a prospect who hadn't played much for a guy who has a little bit more NHL experience. He's also a right handed shot, something the Wild desperately need. On paper this looks like a good trade for the Wild. People say a lot of good stuff about Aberg, so let's hope it translates and he finds a line to fit on.

As for losing Justin Kloos, I'd love to see him succeed with the Ducks and have a great career, considering that he is one of us. I wish him all the best and look forward to see him play in the future.

What is your assessment of the new look Wild?
Peter: The team needs help to be a true contender for the Cup. The two trades might be setting up bigger moves as we approach the trade deadline. The team needs to show some heart and compete before I'll buy into the owners viewpoint of being a Cup contender. 

Jeff: It is hard to assess until you see them on the ice with their new teammates. What lines are they going to be on? Who are they playing with on those lines? It'll be interesting to see how Bruce mixes and matches the lines to find the consistency the Wild need and are looking for.

I'm also pretty sure Fenton is not done dealing, so we will be seeing some more changes coming, which I'm looking forward to. Fletcher left this team in disarray, and Fenton is trying to fix it by finding the best value and getting his team back to winning.

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

Jeff Hartfiel is a Minnesota sports analyst specializing in the Wild and Vikings. He's been a part of Rambling On since 2018.

​"With Saunders, I also expect we’ll see a coach that makes a much greater effort to connect and get through to his players. I’m sure Target Center will be a much more enjoyable atmosphere for fans and players alike without Thibs’ grindcore vocal stylings emanating from the sideline."

Rambling On is Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Daily content and conversation, on Twitter and Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Thursday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). The first and third Fridays will feature content from our non-active pro sports teams, the Vikings and Twins respectively at the moment. 

Thibs firing fallout, including when he should have been fired, Saunders as coach, what the Wolves should do now, and more in this Timberwolves edition. As usual, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland interviews Wolves analyst Beartrap McManus.

Thanks for your support!

If you were in charge, when would have you fired Thibs?
Before the season started, most likely. The Butler fiasco was cause enough for me. He never seemed to have the patience for player development. As de facto GM he burned through cap space to bring in and rely on veterans that clearly weren’t enough to allow the team to meaningfully compete.

Is there anything Thibs could have done to make you want to keep him?
At this point, no. He had his chance to prove he could adapt and more or less refused to do so. By just about every account, he created an incredibly toxic environment at Target Center and Mayo Clinic Square.

It was really enlightening to hear Wolves broadcaster Jim Petersen talk about his experiences with Thibs on ESPN 1500’s Raised By Wolves podcast. He went so far as to describe it “a traumatic tenure” and “oppressive.” It’s similar to the behavior that contributed to the end of his tenure in Chicago. The podcast is a great listen (as most things involving Jim Pete are) and a testament to his professionalism that he never let any of that out during his broadcasts.

I'm sure that eventually we’ll find out a lot more about the specifics of Thibs’ behavior during his time as Wolves head coach and that it won’t make him look good. 

Wound have you chosen Ryan Saunders to replace him? If not, who?
I probably wouldn't have chosen Saunders. On one hand, I’m glad he’s not a retread or necessarily a safe pick, but it’s still indicative of Glen Taylor’s notorious country club mentality. I’m fine with him, though. He’s forward-thinking and the players seem to like him. 

Who do you think will be the next Wolves coach?
Sam Cassell’s name has been tossed around on Twitter and I wouldn’t mind that.

If you had been asked to take over as coach, what changes would you make to how the team plays vs. Thibs’ philosophy?
I’d modernize the defense by implementing more switching to account for the importance of three-point shooting. The offensive schemes under Thibs' were terribly unimaginative. Late game strategy has been to let Teague, Rose or Butler dribble for 15-20 seconds before going one-on-two for a bad shot. I’d like to see better utilization of both Towns and Wiggins as facilitators and playmakers and more set plays and less isolation at the end of games.

If you had been asked to take over as GM, what would you do?
I’d love to see them find a way to shed Teague and Dieng’s contracts without taking on any large, long-term deals in return. Retaining Tyus Jones would be a priority. They could benefit from a defensive-minded backup center as well. I'm not sure how easy to accomplish, realistic, or likely any of that is, though. 

What differences do you think we’ll see with Saunders as coach?
In one game he already shown more flexibility and creativity with his rotations, especially at the end of said game. Thibs’ substitutions always seemed to be based more on the clock than the situation and Saunders seems much more willing to adapt on the fly. 

I also expect we’ll see a coach that makes a much greater effort to connect and get through to his players. I’m sure Target Center will be a much more enjoyable atmosphere for fans and players alike without Thibs’ grindcore vocal stylings emanating from the sideline. 

What do you think of Wiggins re-emergence? Will Rose coming back hamper that in any way?
I’m hesitant to call it a full on re-emergence just yet, but he’s been playing great lately. The game against OKC might have been his best yet. 

I’m not sure Rose’s return will hamper Wiggins individual play at all, but he will likely take away opportunities and shots that Wiggins is more deserving of, based on the recent play of both. 

Beartrap McManus is an NBA and Timberwolves expert. He has been a life coach for Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland since before time, a consultant for Rambling On since its founding, and Timberwolves analyst beginning in Series Five. He resides with his wife and twelve kids in Hurley, Wisconsin, where his wife owns a popular supper club.

"The biggest player, though, is Coyle. He has been a beast since he was put back at center. He was our best forward on Thursday against the Jets."

Rambling On is your home for Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Check out our daily content, and join the conversation, on Twitter or Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Tuesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Thursday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). The first and third Fridays feature content from our non-active pro sports teams, the Vikings and Twins respectively at the moment. 

The Wild win four of five against good and bad opponents, Dubnyk impresses, and more in our latest. Wild analyst Peter Ripka, along with new contributor Jeff Hartfiel,  answer questions from Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland.

Thanks for your support!

Typical Wild: last article we were talking about a swoon, and now the Wild have won four of five. What are a few things they’ve been doing right to get back to their winning ways?
Peter: As is often the case with this team, the biggest reason they have been warming up is their defense. The forwards are doing a great job providing back pressure on back checks, the defense has limited grade-A scoring chances, and Dubnyk is back to good Dubs.

Jeff: They are executing their game plan and playing a full sixty minutes. Skating, back checking, fore checking, defense, passing, and shooting have all been working. The Wild have shown that when execute they can beat anybody in the league.

What players have been catapulting the Wild to victory?
Peter: The easy answer would be Dubnyk. The biggest player, though, is Coyle. He has been a beast since he was put back at center. He was our best forward on Thursday against the Jets.

Jeff: The Wild both win and lose as a team. The Coyle/Kunin/Parise line hassparked them on their current win streak. Zucker has put the puck in the back of the net a few times as well. To keep this positive run going we need three or four lines rolling so you aren't just relying on the one. The hope is for consistent play.

Of their wins against the Leafs, Senators, Habs, and Jets, which impressed you the most?
Peter: They each had their story lines. Their resilience against the Leafs was impressive, considering that they came back after being down by two about five minutes into the game. They were playing against Toronto's third-string goalie, however, so that had something to do with it.

The Ottawa game was a must-win, as they just aren't a very good team. The story line of the Habs game was Dubnyk, who played phenomenally and deserved the shut out.

The Jets game was the most impressive. For the first two periods they completely dominated one of the top teams in the NHL and the team that eliminated them last season.

Jeff: Two of their wins impressed me. The Maple Leafs game was really strong. Anytime you can beat one of the better teams in the league, especially to jump start a little win streak,  will boost team confidence. They did that in the win in Toronto.

Then there was the Jets game. That's our third victory against one of the best teams in the league, and the biggest factor is they are in our division.

Charlie Coyle has flourished at Center. If he stays there will his improved play continue?
Peter: Coyle needs to stay at center. His body and skating style fits that position better. If he stays healthy he'll continue to trend up.

Jeff: One of Coyle's biggest issues is consistency. He goes through stretches where he looks amazing. He uses his big frame, is strong with back checking, finds the open guy, and shoots well. His shift to center has only helped him flourish.

Jason Zucker has been on something of a skid, but he scored two against the Jets, including the game-winner. Is he back? How much of an impact can he have if playing to his ability, how can he do it, and do you think he will?
Peter: It is one game, so it's hard to say he's back. He's one of the biggest cogs for our success. He needs to play more simply, as he did against the Jets, and use his speed to create space for himself and his linemates. He can snap out of his funk if he keeps his game simple and goes to dirty areas. But he's always been streaky.

Jeff: He is a pure goal scorer and he needs the puck, so if he wants to continue his role he needs to find an open spot and set up and shoot. He needs to be more selfish and shoot more often when he gets the puck, as it is what he does best. When he scores it opens things up for his line mates Granlund and Staal, which could make that line just as dangerous as last year.

Any other thoughts about the last few Wild games? On how they can continue to be successful?
Peter: Their success is completely dependent on goaltending. I am concerned about that because Dubnyk has a history of coming back soft after his All-Star appearances. If they can win games against bottom feeders and build their confidence they will be successful. Staal and Granlund stepping up will also be a big benefit. Speaking of Granlund, he seems to be playing with a nagging lower body injury. The All-Star break and bye week will do him very well.

Jeff: Like I said earlier, if the Wild come out and execute their game plan they can beat anyone. It's getting everyone on the same page playing together that is the issue, in addition to getting scoring from every line. If the defense plays a good game in front of Dubby he will take care of his end, something he has shown since he was acquired.

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer. ​​

"I’ve never seen Rose through himself-colored glasses, and his decline this season began almost immediately after I begrudging gave him his due right here in the pages of this fine periodical. I don’t think the Wolves can or should depend on him to win, either short or long term.​"

Rambling On is Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Daily content and conversation, on Twitter and Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Wednesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Friday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). The first and third Tuesdays feature content from our non-active pro sports teams, the Vikings and Twins respectively at the moment. 

The Wolves finish 2018 playing like the 2018 Wolves, Derrick Rose gets all-star consideration, Kat domination, and more in this Timberwovles edition. As usual, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland interviews Wolves analyst Beartrap McManus.

Thanks for your support!

Sort of typically, the Wolves have gone 3-3 since Christmas. Any trends, good or bad, that you've noticed?
The overall trend since the Butler trade, not just the last six games, is that the Wolves are pretty much an average team, maybe a little better. They’ve proven themselves capable of some impressive wins but haven’t been able to win consistently, especially when it comes to taking care of truly bad teams like Atlanta. Though it was nice to see them handily beat the Bulls, Heat, and Magic.

What were the best win and worst loss of that span?
The best win was probably the most recent game against Orlando. Despite a truly awful start, our boys in black with green tree lining (the all-time greatest Timberwolves uniforms, if you ask me) overcame terrible first quarter defense and a 19-point deficit and eventually won by 17.

A returning Jeff Teague had a great night with 23 points and 10 assists and KAT was his usual beastly self with another 20-10 game (29 and 15, to be precise). Tony T. got some minutes with Covington being out and did a great job of spacing the floor and pulling the trigger on threes, hitting three of his five attempts including two big ones on consecutive possessions as they came back in the second quarter.

The worst was the Atlanta game. It was only a three-point loss in overtime, but it came at home against a truly shitty team. Unacceptable.

What Wolves have been playing the best and worst during the stretch?
KAT has been their best player by far. He’s been an absolute monster on offense and pulling down rebounds, and often does an excellent job of protecting the rim (though he's still a bit overzealous down there at times).

As for who has performed the worst? I’d say the Wolves defense as a whole. They’ve consistently failed to defend three-point shooters and have paid dearly as a result. 

Are you concerned about Derrick Rose's injury?
Not really. I’ve just assumed he’d miss quite a bit of time this season based on his injury history. He had also stopped hitting shots at the same rate he had earlier in the season and hadn’t been nearly as productive before his most recent sidelining due to injury.

I’ve never seen Rose through himself-colored glasses, and his decline this season began almost immediately after I begrudging gave him his due right here in the pages of this fine periodical. I don’t think the Wolves can or should depend on him to win, either short or long term.

Do you think Rose deserves to be in the All-Star game? I think he does, it's a good story and he's played well. It's the All-STAR game, not the Best Players game...
No. He had a truly excellent stretch of play to start the season and has regressed since then, and that’s when his bird bones even allow him even play. It really wouldn’t bother me if he did though, as it would be through fan voting which has always valued names over on-court performance. 

The biggest argument I’d have against it is that it’d likely be denying a spot to a more deserving player, likely one on a team with little coverage and recognition. How are new stars going to be created if we continually lower the bar for old ones to retain (or in Rose’s case regain) their former status?

What do you think of the Jimmy Butler situation in Philadelphia? 
If media reports are true, I think Butler needs to stop being given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to any sort of disputes with teammates and coaches. One could forgive him for being unhappy in Chicago and Minnesota (two historically dysfunctional franchises), but he was traded to a contender with probably the most promising young core in the league, and his issues still persist.

His desire to dominate the offense, especially at the end of games, at the expense of the team’s best offensive player (previously KAT and now Embiid), is selfish and misguided and is again causing tensions and likely minimizing their chances of winning close games. 

Beartrap McManus is an NBA and Timberwolves expert. He has been a life coach for Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland since before time, a consultant for Rambling On since its founding, and Timberwolves analyst beginning in Series Five. He resides with his wife and twelve kids in Hurley, Wisconsin, where his wife owns a popular supper club.

"The Wilds biggest problems aren't Parise, Suter, and Koivu. The second core of Granlund, Zucker, Coyle, and Nino aren't pulling their weight. They all need to step up their game."

Rambling On is your home for Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Check out our daily content, and join the conversation, on Twitter or Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Wednesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Friday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). The first and third Tuesdays feature content from our non-active pro sports teams, the Vikings and Twins respectively at the moment. 

Another swoon, Dumba injury, the play of young players, Parise/Suter/Koivu, and more in our latest Wild edition of the Minnesota Sports Ramble. Wild analyst Peter Ripka, along with new contributor Jeff Hartfiel,  answer questions from Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland.

Thanks for your support!

The Wild are in their classic swoon. What’s going on with the team?
Peter: It seems every year this team has a swoon for one reason or another. Usually, they either lose a step offensively by not pressuring and getting shots, or have well below average goaltending.

This year the Wild's soon isn't because of either of those reasons. Yes, Dubnyk has had some poor performances, but I wouldn't call his overall play below average, and he is starting to trend upwards again.

Their biggest problem is that they aren't finishing offensively. They are getting plenty of good chances but simply can't finish. Then there's the weird phenomenon of not getting shots on odd man rushes, which is a cause for concern if they don't remedy it.

Jeff: It seems every year they go through this. That they seem to forget how to win in December is mind boggling. They've had the same system with Bruce for the past three years, you would think it would come natural to them. It's almost like they are sleep walking, going through the motions.

What the Wild need is a game breaker, a guy that can help stop the losing streak, a guy that can create his own chances, which is something they haven't had since Gaborik. Our leaders (Koivu, Parise, Staal and Suter) need to step it up. The swoons need to end if they want to be taken seriously by the media, the league itself, and by Wild fans in general. 

How devastating is the Dumba injury?
Peter: The defense has been playing well. It has hurt them the most in transition and on the power play. Dumba has a cannon of a shot, and this year he even had an ability to get it through. It will be interesting to see how the power play shapes up for the duration of his time out of the lineup. 

Jeff: It's huge. Even with his occasional mental mistakes, Dumba is a guy that other teams have to game plan for. They need to know where he is on the ice at all times. Dating back to last year, he leads all defensemen in goals (18). The Wild have quietly had a top-three scoring defense over the last two years, and a lot of that has to do with Dumba. That's hard to replace, especially on the blue line. Ideally, Brodin, Spurgeon and Seeler will take more shots, as well as cheat down in the offensive zone to get backdoor shots, without of course sacrificing their defensive responsibilities. 

How are the young players doing?
Peter: Erickson Ek received his well-deserved demotion to the AHL. He has been very underwhelming the last three years. Greenway has been exponentially better after his brief stint down in Iowa, having on more than one occasion been the best player for the Wild. Kunin seems to be finding his legs now with a few games under his belt.

Jeff: Joel Eriksson Ek knows his defensive responsibilities and does a good job on that end. He doesn't mind getting in the dirty areas or laying out a hit. His problem, obviously, is with scoring. Since being sent down to Iowa, he's been scoring and working well with his linemates, and hopefully he translates that to success with the Wild.

I'm a big fan of Luke Kunin, who seems to be a winner everywhere he goes (he was one of the youngest captains in Badger history). He isn't exactly lighting up the score sheet, but he is being physical on both ends of the ice, finishing his checks, and staying out of the box. The scoring will come for him, especially if he gets comfortable with the right line. It's great to see him on the ice after last years injury. 

Nick Seeler has looked good this year. He could improve, but he keeps mistakes to a minimum and has no issues shooting the puck. I'd like to see him shoot more now that Dumba is out. I can definitely see him moving up to a top four defenseman if he continues to work hard and improve.

After being sent down due to a slow start, Jordan Greenway came back hungry and ready to prove himself. He is using his big frame  in the corners and in front of the net, which is where you want him to be. For that stretch the Wild weren't scoring, Greenway scored three of their four  only four goals. He will be in the top six permanently if he continues to grow and improve.

Are Suter, Koivu, and Parise pulling their weight?
Peter: Suter still doesn't look like himself. He is still slow and seems to get lost in coverage too often. Koivu has started to look better lately offensively and his defense, which is what he is known for, and that hasn't wavered. Parise has continued the great play he had after he got to game speed at the end of last season. He looks like the Parise from four years ago.

Jeff: Parise is definitely pulling his weight this season. He leads the team in goals and has remained healthy, which is exactly what you want. His worth ethic is second to none.

Koivu is always consistent. He doesn't light up the stat sheet, but he adds value on both ends of the ice. He is easily one of the best two way forwards in the NHL hands down.

Suter is what he is: a great defenseman. He got off to kind of a slow start, but he is back to playing solid defense. When he is paired with Dumba they make a damn good first defensive pairing, complimenting each other almost perfectly. ​

With the weight of their contracts and their seeming inability to lead a successful team, will the Wild ever be successful as long as Parise/Suter/Koivu are the teams core?
Peter: The Wilds biggest problems aren't those three. The second core of Granlund, Zucker, Coyle, and Nino aren't pulling their weight. They all need to step up their game.

Jeff: It depends how you would measure success. The Wild have had some successful seasons and have made the playoffs almost every year with them as the core.

As far as making a legitimate Stanley Cup run, I honestly don't think they can, at least with this group of players. Coyle, Nino, and Zucker seem to be non-existent when playoff time comes. You need at least three lines producing to make a legit run in the playoffs. Defensively they have a legit top four when Dumba is in line up, and with Seeler and Pateryn holding down the the last two spots on defense, they would be fine defensively in the playoffs. Their problem has always been scoring, though, and until they fix that they won't get very far.

What lines are working together the best and which are lacking?
Peter: The Kunin/Coyle/Parise line has looked really good in the few games they've been together. They'll continue to improve. The Zucker/Staal/Granlund line has been struggling to finish, the definition of what the Wild's problems have been.

Jeff: The first line of Zucker/Granlund/Stall has been lacking easily. They haven't been putting up the numbers the have in the past and are turning the puck over more. Maybe putting Greenway up with Staal and Granlund would get that line going, they seemed to work together well their first few times together. That would bring Zucker down to the Koivu/Nino line, which has also been lacking from a point production standpoint, so that'd hopefully help them.

As for the Kunin/Coyle/Parise, they work together pretty well. The forth line meshes together well and are doing their job.

How have goaltending and defense been?
Peter: Goaltending, as well as the defense, has been up and down. Dev will make some great saves but then give up a back breaking soft goal (see: overtime versus Dallas). The defense also seems to get lost or starts puck watching way too often at times.

Jeff: Dubby has had a few games where you might question him, but overall he has been pretty decent. If the Wild where more consistent with their scoring his record would be considerable different. His numbers since he was traded to the Wild back that up.

They have been more consistent defensively than people give them credit for. Losing Dumba does hurt the team on that end, even with his tendency to turn the puck over at wrong time. But Suter, Spurgeon  Brodin are a pretty strong top three. It's finding that forth guy to team with either Suter or Brodin that's an issue. Keeping Seeler with Pateryn on the third pairing seems to work. They need to find "that guy" to fit with the top two pairings while Dumba is out. Giving a chance to Murphy or Belpedio could work, but you won't know 'till you try.

What gives you hope about the Wild and what concerns you? 
Peter: My biggest concern is their ability to finish. The only encouraging part of this is the amount of chances that they aren't generating. One would think that they would eventually start going in.

Jeff: The hope comes from the head coach. Bruce knows how to turn a team around and the proof is there. Most Decembers the Wild hit this downward spiral, but usually by seasons end they end up with 100 points, so that gives me hope as well. So does Dubby, as much as people like to blame him for our losses. He has been one of the most consistent goalies in the league since his arrival in Minnesota. 

As for things that are of concern it is the Consistency on offensive and team play in general are my main concerns. The Wild continue to lack scoring, which is what keeps them from being a top-tier team and getting out of the first round of playoffs. They need to score, plain and simple. Maybe a trade helps them there.

What are the odds the Wild make the playoffs?
Peter: Baring anything changing I'd put them somewhere around a 30-40% chance. That could change if they make trades or start to score on their chances. 

Jeff: As of right now, 50/50.  They need to be more consistent offensively and working together as a team. 

What do the Wild need to do to turn things around? Will they?
Peter: Either trade for a natural goal scorer or start to finish their chances. Unfortunately, the Wild don't really have the assets to acquire a player of that ability, and they haven't shown signs of having it internally. So I am not that confident that they'll turn it around, but they have proven me wrong in the past.

Jeff: Consistency and execution, it's that simple. A trade is always risky, but sometimes you have to take that chance if you want to succeed, especially with the position the Wild are in. Either you make a trade to help you get to the next level and elevate your team and it's performance, or you start blowing up the team where you can. Out with the old in with the new.

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer. ​

“The Kirk Cousins signing ranks second only to the Herschel Walker trade debacle back in the 1980s as the biggest off-the-field blunder by the Viking organization. They will feel the financial ramifications of his contract for the next few seasons, being forced to let key players go because they can't sign them and remain under the salary cap. Thanks Rick Spielman!

Regarding Mike Zimmer, if it were up to me, I would fire him and go after Mike McCarthy."

Rambling On is your home for Minnesota sports talk for the common fan. Check out our daily content, and join the conversation, on Twitter or Facebook.

Our weekly Minnesota Sports Ramble blogs are released on Wednesday (Minnesota Wild related) and Friday (Minnesota Timberwolves related). The first and third Tuesdays feature content from our non-active pro sports teams, the Vikings and Twins respectively at the moment. 

In our Vikings post-mortem, our Vikings analyst Mike Coenen discusses the embarrassing loss to the Bears, controversial Cousins and Zimmer opinions, has a Super Bowl prediction, and more. Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland spars with him a bit on the first question with fun results.

Thanks for your support!

Was the Vikings 24-10 loss to the Bears the most disappointing regular season Vikings game ever?
Mike: No.  The Vikings have missed making the playoffs many times over the years because they failed to win a particular game, or even the final game of the season.  Playoff and Super Bowl losses stand out more for fans and for the organization itself than any particular regular season game, at least they do for me.  

Come training camp of 2019, nobody will remember the Viking loss to the Bears on the final day of the 2018 regular season. The loss might have stood out more over time if this was a Viking team that was playing well and looked poised to make a run at the Super Bowl, but they were not that team.  The fact that the Vikings failed to live up to their high expectations in 2018 is what will endure over time, not any one particular game.   

Erik: It's at times like these that I really wish that Mike and I were still doing podcasts, because I think we'd have fun disagreeing on this one.

The fact that expectations were so high, especially for Cousins, will make this game stick out in Vikings lore, especially if Cousins is a bust. This game might be a footnote if Cousins takes the Vikings to the promised land, but if his tenure continues to be a failure, the loss to the Bears will be something that is pointed to in that context for years to come.

I agree with Mike that playoff and Super Bowl losses stick out more, which is why I thought this question was interesting, because not a lot of regular season games are remembered. But some are, and especially ones that determine whether the team makes the playoffs. Who can forget Paul Allen's classic "NOOOO!!!" call from the time the Cardinals knocked the Vikings out of the playoffs?

In the context of the whole season, perhaps it wasn't too surprising that the Vikings lost. But the expectations were still there, even in the last game, and for our expensive quarterback and vaunted defense to lay an egg when all they had to do was play passably against a team with nothing to play for has to make it one of the most disappointing regular season Vikings games.
 
The Vikings were only down 13-3 going into halftime. At that point, the Bears knew the Rams would win and that the Vikings game was fairly meaningless to them. Despite this, and the Vikings season being on the line, they looked lackluster. What happened? How concerning is it?
Mike: In the second half the Bears had little reason to stay motivated.  In the fourth quarter the Bears were substituting very generously on the defensive side, yet the Vikings still could not move the ball. Again, I could go back to the poor offensive line of the Vikings as the culprit, but the big-name, highly-paid, skill-position players just did not get the job done either. 

Bottom line: the 2018 Vikings just were not very good.    
 
Any other thoughts on the Vikings/Bears game?
It was a good, old-fashioned black and blue division style butt kicking.  Vikings got outplayed and out-coached.  It is as simple as that.    
 
Hindsight is a drag, but considering that Keenum was better at dealing with a bad offensive line because he could improvise better than Cousins, should have they re-signed him and spent the extra money on the offensive line instead? Would have the Vikings been more successful this year had they done that?
Mike: Yes, in hindsight the Vikings should have kept Keenum and spent the money on the offensive line. 

The far majority of blame for the failed season rests at the feet of Viking GM, Rick Spielman.  The Cousins’ signing was a great big swing and a miss. A lot of people are pointing the finger at Kirk Cousins, but Spielman knew (or should have known) he was signing a second-tier quarterback who becomes a third- or even fourth-tier quarterback when he does not get the necessary protection.  And with no offensive line, it should not be a surprise to anyone that he was reduced to a third- and sometimes fourth-tier level quarterback at certain times during the season.  I think with Case Keenum and a better offensive line the Vikings would have made the playoffs.   
 
Cousins had some gaudy stats that were somewhat inflated by big numbers in garbage time, but even with them he was only 15th in QBR. What’s your grade for his season and what is your prediction for his future?
Mike: Kirk cousins gets a C for the season.  He was supposed to lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl victory and they didn't even make the playoffs.  I would give him a D except if his offensive line is so terrible.  

I do think that the Vikings will improve the offensive line this offseasn, Kirk Cousins will settle in next season and have a much better year, and the Vikings should have a ten or eleven win season. 
 
Some fans were calling for Spielman and Zimmer’s heads. What do you think of that steam?
Mike: NFL coaches get fired too quickly these days, and General Managers have too much power.  I do think that the termination of Spielman would be justified.  He made a pretty big mistake signing Cousins for so much money.  This ranks second only to the Herschel Walker trade debacle back in the 1980s as the biggest off-the-field blunder by the Viking organization.  The Vikings will be feeling the financial ramifications of the Cousins’ contract for the next few season as they will be forced to let certain key players go because they cannot sign them and remain under the salary cap.  Thanks, Rick Spielman!  

In regard to Mike Zimmer, he is no Bud Grant, but he is good enough for now.  If it were up to me, I would fire him and go after Mike McCarthy.    
 
After the offensive line, what should the Vikings top priorities be in the offseason?
Mike: Defensive backs. The NFL is so pass-oriented now that you need really good corners and safeties, and lots of them in the event of injury, which is inevitable.  
 
Any other thoughts on the future of the Vikings?
Mike: Despite the disappointing season, the Vikings still have a good core nucleus that has about a 2-3 season window.  On paper, they are about as good as anybody else in the league.  However, a lot of things have to come together for a team to be successful. Intangibles like injuries, player chemistry, and even luck play a major role over the course of a season. 

Entering into the 2019 season, the Minnesota Vikings should be a playoff contending team.  The expectations will not be as high going into next season, which will be to their benefit, but many touts and prognosticators will be picking the Vikings to make the playoffs, and perhaps even win their division.  And if the stars align, they will. 
 
What is your Super Bowl prediction? Who will flop and who will flourish in the playoffs?
Mike: "I think it will be the Saints vs the Chargers," said Erik Ritland to Mike Coenen back in September.  I was extremely doubtful, but this could actually happen.  I do predict that the Saints will make to the Super Bowl, but the road for the Chargers will be much more difficult.  Having to play on Wildcard weekend, and on the road, will make things hard for the Chargers going forward even if they manage to beat the Ravens.  

I think we will see two classic conferences championship games with the Chiefs beating the Patriots in the AFC, and the Rams losing to the Saints in the NFC. The Saints will beat the Chiefs in a ridiculously high scoring affair that most people will love, while football purists, such as myself, will hate.  It will be a showcase for how the NFL has basically morphed into Arena Football.   

Mike Coenen is a writer, historian, professor, and author from Little Falls, Minnesota. He is the Vikings analyst for Rambling On and is the co-host of the Minnesota Sports Ramble podcast. Since 2016 he has been creating content for Rambling On as sports analyst and podcast co-host.

Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. Founder of Rambling On, he has written hundreds of articles and hosted almost a hundred podcasts. He also directs all of the content on Rambling On, created and maintains the website, and is social media content director. Previously, he was Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music by visiting his music page or buying his music on BandCamp, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.