Irv Smith Jr.
Clemson defensive end Miles Murphy, left, the Cincinnati Bengals' first-round draft pick, poses for a portrait with Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, right, during a news conference, Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Bengals again use early rounds of draft to focus on defense

By Keith Jenkins Apr. 29, 2023 09:38 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, right, catches a 15-yard touchdown pass over New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) and safety Julian Love (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
T.J. Hockenson proves perfect fit for Vikings' offense

By Brian Hall Dec. 28, 2022 06:40 PM EST

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) celebrates a touchdown in the final minute of the second half against the Indianapolis Colts of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Vikings, Commanders match up with winning streaks at stake

By The Associated Press Nov. 03, 2022 04:04 PM EDT

Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (32) is greeted by tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) after scoring on a 7-yard run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)
Vikings' Hockenson giddy over move near home, into 1st place

By Dave Campbell Nov. 02, 2022 06:22 PM EDT

Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88) catches a pass as Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lions GM insists he would've traded Hockenson with 6-1 mark

By Larry Lage Nov. 02, 2022 03:56 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (22) runs against Atlanta Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen (44) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Record-setting 12 players dealt on NFL trade deadline day

By Rob Maaddi Nov. 01, 2022 06:13 PM EDT

Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson (88), defended by Seattle Seahawks safety Ryan Neal (26), catches a 4-yard pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Vikings acquire tight end TJ Hockenson in trade with Lions

By Dave Campbell Nov. 01, 2022 01:21 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) celebrates with teammate linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings seeing the benefit of leadership change in 6-1 start

By Brian Hall Oct. 31, 2022 07:04 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 8

By Brandon Gdula Oct. 26, 2022 08:57 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Cook's late touchdown ices Vikings' 24-16 win over Dolphins

By Alanis Thames Oct. 16, 2022 04:33 PM EDT

New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner tackles Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith short of a first down during an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 6

By Brandon Gdula Oct. 12, 2022 03:55 PM EDT

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Cody Hollister and center Ben Jones in the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 5

By Brandon Gdula Oct. 05, 2022 03:44 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) smiles after winning an NFL match against New Orleans Saints at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. The Vikings won the match 28-25. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Vikings still winning despite offense's unfulfilling drives

By Dave Campbell Oct. 03, 2022 08:11 PM EDT

Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce (31) runs for a gain against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 4

By Brandon Gdula Sep. 28, 2022 04:19 PM EDT

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs with the ball past Los Angeles Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson (27) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 3

By Brandon Gdula Sep. 21, 2022 01:59 PM EDT

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay intercepts a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left, during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Big loss by Vikings puts pressure on O'Connell to adjust

By Dave Campbell Sep. 20, 2022 07:13 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) runs from Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards, left, and cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Cousins, Jefferson head Vikings' stumble in loss to Eagles

By Dan Gelston Sep. 20, 2022 01:10 AM EDT

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Hurts, so good! Eagles QB dominant in 24-7 win over Vikings

By Dan Gelston Sep. 19, 2022 11:35 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) leaps over the pile to score a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sep. 11, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
FANTASY PLAYS: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 2

By Brandon Gdula Sep. 14, 2022 02:12 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins takes part in drills during a team practice in Eagan, Minn., Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Packers begin bid for 4th straight division title at Vikings

By The Associated Press Sep. 08, 2022 12:36 PM EDT