StribSports Daily Delivery

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves, who look lost again after dropping their third game in a row. They are 14-14 after a defeat in Atlanta, and one of two things needs to happen soon: A lineup change bringing Naz Reid into the starting group and Julius Randle to the bench, or a second Randle trade. Plus the return of Filip Gustavsson predictably corrected the Wild's course. 10:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down film from Sunday's win over Seattle and to examine the NFC North. Are the three best teams in the conference all in the same division? And how has Justin Jefferson been getting open lately? 40:00: Award-winning poetry. 53:00: The Packers are keeping pace, and Carlos Santana is gone to a rival.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included one of the best Vikings' wins of the season. Facing plenty of adversity in Seattle, Minnesota rallied for a 27-24 victory to keep pace in the NFC North at 13-2. Two more wins would give the Vikings the division title and the No. 1 seed in the conference. In news that is, um, less good: The Wolves have lost two in a row and look just as lost as they did earlier in the season. And the Wild have hit a funk that can only be cured by the return of goalie Filip Gustavsson.

Host Michael Rand has postgame thoughts immediately after the Vikings' 27-24 victory in Seattle, with the winning points scored on a fourth-quarter TD pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the unsightly mess that happened at Target Center on Thursday. In Karl-Anthony Towns' much-anticipated return after a trade just a few months ago, the Wolves were clobbered by Towns and the Knicks. Fans booed as the Wolves, who seemed to be getting themselves sorted out by winning six of their previous seven games, floundered. 11:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand for a look at two big stories. First, they dive into the benching of former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins and what it means in the big picture. And they examine how the Vikings have been able to keep their veteran players healthy this year. 40:00: A cool moment on Thursday Night Football.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Wild, who have lost three of their last four games, including another lopsided defeat (6-1) on Wednesday against Florida. Goaltending has been the biggest part of the Wild's resurgence this season, and they need Filip Gustavsson to recover soon from his lower body injury. Otherwise, advanced data says their season will be in peril. 7:00: Kirk Cousins spoke to the media for the first time since he was benched by the Falcons. Hear what he had to say. 10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment, which this week focuses on these subjects: Who will win the NFC North? How important is Thursdays' Wolves vs. Knicks game? And what do we think of a wacky MLB idea? 30:00: Side stories are nice, but Thursday should just be a good basketball game.