Vikings 1st & SKOL: A Minnesota Vikings podcast

NFC North Round Table Week 2: Vikings Win in Chicago, Lions Struggle in Buffalo, Packers OT Escape — Host June and guests Dave Stefano (Vikings 1st & SKOL), Pay (Frustrated Chicago Sports Fan), and B. Foster (Bleachers to Speakers) recap Week 2 in the NFC North and plug their channels. They discuss Green Bay’s 20–17 overtime win over the Jets after trailing 17–0, plus injuries to tackle Zach Tom (patella tendon, out for season) and Jayden Reed (neck). They break down Minnesota’s defensive win over Chicago in poor Soldier Field conditions, highlighting Brian Flores’ heavy blitz rate, Bears’ penalties and red-zone failures, and quarterback Ca...

Have the Vikings Built a Super Bowl Foundation? Ugly Wins, Run-Game Questions, and a Dominant Defense — Tyler Forness and producer Dave discuss the Vikings’ “ugly” win and argue the first two games show a budding Super Bowl foundation built on learning how to win with defense, a heavier run emphasis, and timely luck. They highlight key moments against the Bears, including Chicago going 0-for-3 in the red zone, special teams impact from Isaiah Rodgers, and a Brian Flores-designed final sack aided by Caleb Williams being out. They debate offensive uncertainty due to injuries and Kyler Murray’s concussion, praising Carson Wen...

Vikings Beat Bears 9-3 in Rainy Defensive Battle | Live 2-Minute Warning Reactio — Dave hosts a Vikings First & SKOL live two-minute-warning watchalong as Minnesota leads Chicago in a rain-soaked, low-scoring game that ends 9-3 after a late Vikings field goal and a final defensive stand. The broadcast covers momentum swings, injuries (including Bears QB Caleb Williams carted off and later reported as a right hamstring), and a near-interception by Isaiah Rodgers ruled incomplete. The Vikings defense, led by Brian Flores, is praised as a “masterclass,” with discussion of heavy pressure, strong contain, and standout play from Dallas Turner, plus notes on pla...

Flores Trusts Rookies? Mason to IR & a Rainy Week 2 at Soldier Field — Flores played three rookies vs Green Bay — then Mason hit IR and Minnesota heads to a wet Soldier Field without Murray. Darren Campbell, Dave Stefano, and Drew Bunting break it down on Two Old Bloggers, a Vikings 1st & SKOL / Bleav Network show. - Flores still leans veterans, but Domonique “Big Citrus” Orange (22 snaps), Caleb Banks (16), and UDFA safety Jacob Thomas (10) all played. Golday, Demmings, and Jakobe Thomas did not. - Orange has the clearest role as a space-eating nose. Banks is still catching up. Dept...

Murray or Wentz? Can Flores cage Caleb at Soldier Field? Week 2 keys inside. — Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano preview Vikings at Bears on The Real Forno Show, a Vikings 1st & SKOL production partnered with Bleav. Minnesota can go 2-0 in the NFC North on Sunday at noon CT. They break down Kyler Murray’s concussion and NFL protocol, the start-him-or-sit-him debate, Carson Wentz as the backup plan, Brian Flores vs Caleb Williams (blitz rates at Soldier Field, contain, Bears O-line), life without Jordan Mason, Aaron Jones and DeeJay Dallas, and why Jordan Addison could feast on Chicago’s second...

NFC North Round Table Week 1 Recap and Week 2 Preview: Lions Survive OT, Bears Explode, Vikings Rally Past Packers — Dave hosts an NFC North Round Table recapping Week 1 and previewing Week 2. Detroit beat the Saints in overtime after leading 21–0, with Jahmyr Gibbs nearly 200 total yards, Amon-Ra St. Brown two TDs, Jameson Williams three drops and a fumble, and concerns about giving up 400 passing yards despite sacks and takeaways. Chicago beat Carolina 59–37 behind D’Andre Swift (124 yards, three TDs) and Caleb Williams’ 72.4% completion, strong blitz numbers, and 65 rushing yards, while noting the Bears defense struggled, including high yards allowed in coverage and a 30...

Vikings’ Improbable Win Over Packers: Kyler Murray Concussion, Wentz Steps In, Flores’ Blitzing Dominates — Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano recap Minnesota’s improbable Week 1 win over Green Bay. Murray lasted 11 snaps before a concussion. They walk through the protocol, whether he can play Sunday in Chicago, and what the offense looks like if Carson Wentz starts. Film notes cover Murray’s early INT (Will Fries’ missed block), O’Connell’s explosive-play bet, Flores wearing down Jordan Love, officiating on the go-ahead drive, Dallas Turner and Blake Cashman’s pressures, Fries and Theo Jackson concerns, two-minute defense, and a Soldier Field prev...

Vikings Rally to Beat Packers 39-22 — Dave Stefano goes live at the two-minute warning as Minnesota closes out a 39–22 win over Green Bay to start 1–0 and stretch the Packers’ skid to six games. Jonas Stärk and Darren Campbell join for the postgame. The first three quarters were ugly. Kyler Murray’s debut ended after two hits to the head. Carson Wentz came in and threw three touchdowns, including two to Justin Jefferson. Brian Flores never took his foot off the blitz, and the defense finally broke through in the fourth. Dallas Turner wrecked the pocket. Domonique “Big Citrus” O...

Two Old Bloggers Preview Vikings vs. Packers: Kyler Murray, Vegas Win Totals, and Keys to Week 1 — Drew and Dave preview the Vikings’ Week 1 home opener vs. the Packers, focusing on Minnesota starting a new quarterback again and questioning Vegas’ 8.5-win projection after a nine-win season amid last year’s QB issues. With Darren missing, Drew joins early to break down roster concerns at running back, corner, and interior offensive line, optimism around Brian Flores’ defense, and whether Kevin O’Connell’s offense can reach Super Bowl-contender benchmarks: 450-plus points, a 95-plus passer rating, and 1,700 rushing yards. They discuss Kyler...

Vikings vs. Packers Week 1 Preview: Murray Debut, Jefferson Focus, and Stopping Jordan Love — Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano preview Sunday’s 3:25 p.m. CT Vikings–Packers matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota’s injury report is light (three rookies) while Green Bay lists multiple offensive-line and front-seven concerns. The betting line has flipped from Packers −1.5 in the summer to Vikings −1.5. They also note Sam Darnold’s unusual hip-area muscle strain, with no IR expected. Offensively, the focus is Kyler Murray’s debut: higher EPA outside the pocket, designed movement, and how Kevin O’Connell may simplify early rea...

NFC North Week 1 Roundtable: Bears at Panthers, Lions vs Saints, Packers at Vikings — Dave (Vikings 1st & SKOL), Pay (Frustrated Chicago Sports Fan), and Foster (Bleachers to Speakers) preview every NFC North Week 1 game, with floors, ceilings, and injury news. Pay expects Bears at Panthers to be closer than casual fans think: Carolina’s secondary and run defense, the Bryce Young–Tet McMillan connection, and Jonathan Brooks’ groin. Chicago’s own secondary is dinged, Kyler Gordon is on PUP, Braxton Jones is a week-to-week left tackle, and Swift/Odunze had midweek scares. Foster on Lions vs Saints: Ne...

Real Forno Show: NFL Rivalry Weekend Idea and the Complicated Harrison Smith Return — On a Labor Day episode of The Real Forno Show, Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano float a CFL-inspired NFL “Rivalry Weekend”: a fixed mid-October week of divisional games, same matchups every year, possible traveling trophies, and real promotion so the games feel like tradition—not just another cash-grab jersey night. Then they get into Harrison Smith’s one-year Vikings return (up to $12.25 million with per-game bonuses and playoff/Super Bowl incentives). They praise the brain and the pre-snap chaos he gives Brian Flores, then ask the hard q...

The Hitman Returns: Vikings Roster Shakeups, Van Noy Signing, and RB1 Questions — Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano break down a Vikings roster that didn’t stay still for 24 hours. Harrison Smith is back for a 15th season on a one-year deal ($12.25 million, up to about $16.25 million with incentives) to stabilize a thinned safety room and communicate Brian Flores’ defense. Waiver adds Trevor Keegan and Nick Samac, practice-squad recycling for Max Brosmer and Dillon Bell, and Kyle Van Noy as edge insurance all land in the same week. Then the 1A/1B fight: Jordan Mason ran better in 2025, but Aaron Jones...

What If Kyler Murray Is Really Good for the Vikings? Data, Fit, and Contract Fallout — On The Real Forno Show, Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano shift the conversation off J.J. McCarthy and onto the actual Week 1 starter: Kyler Murray, 10 days from the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The question is the same one they asked about Sam Darnold in 2024 — what if he’s really good in Kevin O’Connell’s offense? They break down Murray as an outlier in this system: a pocket-first passer who is dangerous the second he leaves it, not a desi...

NFC North Kickoff Countdown: 53-Man Rosters, Rams Superteam Buzz, and Week 1 Predictions — Host June and guests Dave Stefano (Vikings 1st & SKOL) and B Foster (Bleachers to Speakers) preview kickoff week. League news leads: Aaron Donald returning to the Rams on a reported one-year deal worth up to $30 million alongside Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, then the federal case against Daejon Labrayae Love, charged with impersonating a 49ers player and scamming $1.3 million through Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Facebook with accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan. NFC North cutdowns: Minnesota initially kept four quarterbacks — Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy, and...

Vikings Finalize 53-Man Roster: J.J. McCarthy Injury Confusion, QB Depth, and Practice Squad Breakdown — Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano discuss the Vikings’ finalized 53-man roster, focusing on J.J. McCarthy remaining on the team amid confusing reporting that his ankle issue is “week to week” despite full practices, and questioning who benefits from that leak. They review trade-market dynamics for backup QBs, note Ben Goessling’s report that McCarthy personally chose not to play the final preseason game, and debate possible motivations. With Max Brosmer waived and likely headed to the practice squad, they argue the Vikings may add an...

Two Old Bloggers: Vikings Final 53, QB Depth, and Roster Questions After Preseason Struggles — Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano recap the Vikings’ 34–6 preseason loss to Denver and a preseason with only one offensive touchdown, while noting kicker Will Reichard was perfect. They discuss the initial 53-man roster, including the surprising decision to keep four quarterbacks (Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, J.J. McCarthy, Max Brosmer) after McCarthy sat out with a minor ankle sprain, and debate Wentz as the best current backup given Murray’s and Wentz’s injury histories and Brosmer’s poor play. They highlight roster surprises such as Johnny Hekke...

Dave goes live during Minnesota’s 34–6 preseason loss at Denver. He flags sloppy tackling, thin depth after years of poor drafting, and ugly goal-line play-calling (10 passes, zero runs). J.J. McCarthy sits with a lower-ankle/deltoid sprain after telling the team he did not feel comfortable playing. Dave and Darren debate keep vs. trade: injury history, uncertain trade return (fourth-round floor), and why a Sunday release is unlikely. Injury note: UDFA S Jacob Thomas leaves in Q1 with an ankle sprain; MRI Saturday. They grade Max Brosmer’s checkdown night, a dead first-half run game, O-line pressure, and who helped...

Vikings Preseason Finale Preview: J.J. McCarthy Trade Rumors, Max Brosmer, and Key Roster Battles — Tyler Forness and producer Dave preview the Vikings’ preseason finale Friday night vs. the Broncos, starting with a discussion of the Pro Bowl ending as a game but remaining important for accolades and Hall of Fame comparisons, contrasted with CFL-style all-star selections. They then focus on J.J. McCarthy’s uncertain future amid trade rumors, his recent ankle issue and missed practice time, and why playing Friday could signal an impending move; they speculate on potential interested teams and debate how much blame lies with M...

NFC North Preseason Week 2 Wrap: Packers Kicker, Vikings QB Concerns, Lions Injuries, Bears O-Line Woes + League New — The podcast previews the NFC North preseason landscape, recapping Week 2: Green Bay beat Denver 33–13, rookie kicker Trey Smack is 7-for-7 with a 59-yarder, and Jordan Love went 5-for-7 for 56 yards and a TD as the team holds a joint practice with Arizona. Minnesota lost 13–3 to Baltimore and the hosts criticize J.J. McCarthy’s game speed, accuracy, and mechanics while noting he’s splitting QB2 reps with Carson Wentz amid procedural penalties. Detroit beat Washington 17–13, with praise for the pass rush and defense, con...