By Jim Souhan

What I’m watching for, and thinking about, entering the Minnesota sports weekend:

1. Did playing in the World Cup give Napheesa Collier the right kind of work as she tries to return to form before the WNBA playoffs? She played well as the USA won gold, but wasn’t asked to play many minutes. The Lynx have thrived without her, and with her easing her way back, but they’ll need her at her best to win a title.
2. What will a rested Miles look like? Olivia Miles has carried a heavy load for the Lynx all season. That’s concerning for a rookie adapting to a new level of play. Team USA may have done the Lynx a favor by not putting her on the team.
3. Is Caleb Williams for real? After a strong 2025 season, Williams was brilliant in Week 1 of 2026, putting up 59 points against Carolina. Has he become more accurate and efficient, or is Carolina just incompetent? If Williams is turning into a superstar, the NFC North is going to be a difficult division for the Vikings to win.
4. The Vikings should have kept Zavier Scott. He’s an excellent receiver out of the backfield and can run between the tackles. The Vikings chose to keep Demond Claiborne because of his speed, but Claiborne doesn’t look ready to play in the NFL. Scott is on the Bears’ practice squad. I’m wondering why the Vikings didn’t poach him this week.
5. Walker Jenkins hit a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the ninth on Thursday night to send the Twins to extra innings in Anaheim. He had three hits. As I’ve said on our Chin Music podcast, I’m more worried about Royce Lewis’ incessant slumps than Jenkins’ “Welcome to the big leagues’’ slump. I like Jenkins’ swing and approach, even when it doesn’t work. Lewis still looks lost.
6. Josh Allen is the best player in the NFL and it’s not close.
7. Note to players who slow-walk out of the batters box when they hit a ball to the wall, then have to panic-sprint to make up for lost ground: You think you look cool. You look like a fool.
8. If Kyler Murray is ruled out and Carson Wentz gets hurt in Chicago, will J.J. McCarthy be willing to enter the game? Will playing this weekend be convenient for him? Somebody check his mood ring.

-Hot listen: On the Jon Krawczynski Show, we discussed Anthony Edwards’ role and maturity.

-Hot rec: I’m not a fan of many aspects of ESPN, but you should check out Kevin Seifert’s coverage of the Vikings and Courtney Cronin’s coverage of the Bears. Two old friends and great pros.

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