The new year is finally upon us, and while many of us will be stuck in the gym for the next couple of weeks, Minnesota sports teams have a lot to look forward to in 2023.
There are lessons to be learned from the past year, but the new year brings the opportunity to turn over a new page. Here we take a look at what’s set to happen in 2023 and what it means.
Vikings: Reach the Super Bowl
The Vikings’ 12-3 season came out of nowhere, and even national pundits don’t know what to make of the NFC North champions. Kevin O’Connell’s first season has been better than expected, but the Vikings will be even better if they reach the Super Bowl.
The Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles have the best odds to reach the Super Bowl, but each team has flaws, from an unproven rookie (Brock Purdy) to a losing quarterback (Jalen Hurts), so the NFC is full of contenders. ) and inconsistent success (Cowboys).
If the Vikings make it to the second round, they will play two games at U.S. Bank Stadium, where they have gone 8-1 this season. That should pave the way for an NFC Championship game that could put Minnesota in the big game for the first time since 1976.
Timberwolves: Find last year’s trends
Remember how much fun the Timberwolves were a year ago? After years of being a doormat in the NBA, the Wolves have fought back and moved up against some of the league’s biggest powerhouses en route to the playoffs.
This year was a different story. The Wolves mortgaged their future for Rudy Gobert and the trade was an absolute disaster. Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell are getting so paranoid about the refs they might as well be playing in tinfoil hats, and Chris Finch looks like an AAU coach off the court.
If the Timberwolves think back to a year ago, things were just as awkward. Minnesota was 16-19 and looked like a team that would miss the playoffs. They have become one of the most dangerous teams in the league in recent months, posting a 31-17 record and defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs.
The Wolves need to find their old ways to make a similar run this season. Patrick’s reunion with Beverly might help that, but they’ll have to find themselves in the new year.
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Wild: Win a playoff series
It will take some time for the Wild to get going this season, but this is how they look. a team that can make the playoffs. While getting there was no problem – the Wild have been a playoff team in eight of the last 10 seasons – winning a playoff series was a different story.
The Wild are currently in third place in the Central Division with 42 points and have won 11 of their last 15 games. Both traditional division powers Colorado and St. Louis are underachieving and could open the door to a playoff berth for Minnesota.
Defensively, the Wild finished eighth in goals scored (100) and joined Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson in their first playoff series win since 2015.
Gemini: Stay healthy
We could say that their decision has to find a real ace or snap the longest playoff losing streak in North American sports history, but it’s probably as realistic as those who announced that they’ll look like The Rock at the end of 2023.
Instead, getting healthy may be the most manageable solution for the Twins next season. With Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco and Royce Lewis at the top of the injury list last year, and several players ready to return, the Twins have a chance to compete in the weak American League.
Lynx: Back to the playoffs
The Lynx went on an 11-game playoff streak last season, but there is plenty of optimism that they can return in 2023.
Nafisa Collier will return after missing most of last season after giving birth to her first child, and Aerial Powers, Kayla McBride and Moriah Jefferson should add depth to the second overall draft pick.
If the Lynx come out with a talent like Stanford’s Haley Jones, they’ll almost certainly make it back to the postseason.
Related: 10 things Minnesota sports fans should be excited about in 2023
