We can’t talk enough about Josh Dobbs’ first impression with the Vikings, explain why Marc-Andrew Fleury can keep the Wild afloat until Captain Spurgeon returns, why the Wolves are for real, and discuss who the Twins should pursue this offseason.

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Did the Vikings Find their Future Franchise Quarterback?

After being traded from Arizona five days before the Vikings’ game in Atlanta, quarterback Josh Dobbs used his legs and arm to carry Minnesota to victory despite taking zero snaps with the first team in practice. 

• Rookie QB Jaren Hall looked good until he made a terrible business decision attempting to run for a touchdown; he suffered a concussion.
• Dobbs was seemingly untouchable, escaping multiple sacks to run or throw for first downs, including a 22-yard scramble to convert on fourth down.
  • If he can continue to extend plays with his legs, plenty of Vikings will be open downfield once Justin Jefferson returns from injury, possibly next week.
  • He also made difficult throws look easy with his cannon of an arm.
  • And he’s smart and has swagger, too.
• If Jefferson and Dobbs remain healthy, they’ll have a chance to build a rapport that convinces Jefferson to stay in Minnesota whether Kirk Cousins returns or not
  • Dobbs and Cousins are both free agents after this season
• Will Levis sure would look good in purple, but he’d be playing without Jefferson and Jordan Addison, whom Minnesota drafted when Levis was still available
• The Vikings have a big game with the Saints, Sunday
  • Both teams are 5-4
  • Saints defense leads the league with 12 interceptions and 62 pass breakups
  • Vikings lost Kam Akers for the season (Achilles), KJ Osborn will likely be in concussion protocol for weeks, and Christian Darrisaw is questionable (groin)

Did the Wild Find a Way to Stay Afloat Until the Captain is Back?

The Vikings weren’t the only Minnesota team to outperform expectations last week. The Minnesota Wild came back to beat the Metro division-leading Rangers in a shootout after Filip Gustavsson allowed three goals on the first four shots faced. 

• Gustavsson has not played well without Jared Spurgeon blocking shots in front of him
  • Spurgeon has been out since Oct. 6 and is week-to-week with an upper body injury
    • He was sixth in blocked shots last year
  • Marc-Andre Fleury relieved Gustavsson seven minutes into the game and made a miraculous shootout save to earn Minnesota the extra point.
• Fleury has to be the starting goaltender going forward because the Wild are allowing the second-most goals against above expected (7)
  • They’re third-worst in save percentage on unblocked shots (-1.87%)
  • The Wild need the more mobile Fleury right now; despite his advanced age, he still moves laterally better than Gustavsson, which is essential when you’re blocking fewer shots on defense

Are the Timberwolves Actually the Best Defensive Team in the NBA?

The Wolves entered Monday’s game against Boston as the league’s best defensive team (101.2 DRTG). The Celtics have the highest offensive rating (124.7) and net rating (18.1) in the association. 

• The Wolves have managed to alter shots, allowing a league best 49.1 percent effective field goal percentage, and have done so without fouling, allowing the second-fewest free throw attempts.
  • They have the fifth-lowest three-point percentage allowed, which won’t likely be sustainable.
  • Rebounding is something the Wolves will continue to do well, but they’ll be tested in that regard by Boston; the Celtics have the highest rebound percentage in the NBA (55.2).
• Minnesota’s perimeter defense has improved, but is probably inflated by their opponents’ missing more open shots than they will later in the season.
• Rudy Gobert’s healthy, and it shows.
  • He’s fifth in rebounds per game (12.4) and third in offensive rebounds per game (4.2).
• When healthy, Minnesota is top-10 in defense and middle of the pack offensively.
  • The Wolves are currently bottom third in scoring, but Karl-Anthony Towns is still dialing in his shot from distance (25.9%)
• They could be that playoff team no one in the Western Conference wants to see. Getting out of the playoffs’ first round is absolutely achievable.

Who Should the Twins Target this Offseason?

The Twins’ payroll is projected to be around $120 million next season, and Shohei Ohtani could be available as a free agent again next year…and almost certainly will be after he returns as a pitcher in 2025. That said…

• Tommy Pham is a professional hitter who’s produced in the playoffs and doesn’t strike out much.
  • He’ll be 36 but probably deserves a raise from his $6 million annual salary the last two seasons. 
    • Played 129 games and posted an OPS+ of 111
    • Above average left fielder
    • OPS over 1.000 in two of four playoff series
• Mike wants a number two starting pitcher and a bullpen arm

Minnesota Amateur Sports Stars of the Week

• Bronze: Orono’s Brady McPherson recorded three sacks for the second consecutive game in a 35-14 win over Delano on Nov. 3. He also had nine tackles, six of them solo. 
• Silver: Wayzata’s Stella Swenson had 29 assists, 12 digs, six kills and two blocks in a 3-0 win over Champlin Park for the Section 5AAAA volleyball championship on Nov. 1. She’s sixth in the state with 784 assists, top-25 in aces (57), and top-50 in total blocks (49).

Gold: Avery Lampe made the most of her last high school game with Providence Academy, scoring a hat trick and assisting on two other goals in a 6-0 win over Southwest Christian on Nov. 1.