Joe Cool

The Vikings Schedule Has Arrived; Let the Speculation Begin

· Yahoo Sports

Vikings Territory Breakdown Podcast

Stop the presses! The NFL schedules are here! In the most anticipated news since last month’s NFL Draft, the NFL released its 2026 league schedule last week (because, well, in the NFL “April rookies bring May bookies”). Or at least that is what the NFL would have us think. But as the big-time draft event slips into memory, the NFL tantalizes us with the schedule to get us speculating on the coming season even more. The NFL knows how to market itself.

Visit mwafrika.life for more information.

But truth be told, the schedule helps bring the coming season into focus, as we now know who, when and where the games will be played. For the Minnesota Vikings, the schedule is always filled with some interesting surprises and this season’s is no different. The season beings with a double dose of divisional opponents (the Packers and Bears) right out of the game and features an international trip to Mexico City to play the San Francisco 49ers in November. It also includes four 3 p.m.-slotted games, three prime time games, two flex games with their starts times TBD and zero games on holidays. All worth talking about.

So, that’s what the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—plan to do. They will look at each game, the opponent and see how we think the game will come out. And speaking of the NFL Draft, the NFL announced that the Twin Cities will host to the 2028 NFL Draft—which will give us even more to speculate about. Tune in and check it out. Skol!

Listen to Vikings Territory Breakdown Podcast here or on your favorite podcast network.

Read full story at source

Zepto Eyes ₹11,000-Crore IPO In July, Quick Commerce Firm Targets Listing Before July-End

· Free Press Journal

Mumbai: Quick commerce platform Zepto is preparing to launch its Rs 11,000-crore Initial Public Offering (IPO) in July, according to people familiar with the development.

Visit esporist.com for more information.

The Bengaluru-based startup recently received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for its public issue and is now expected to file its Updated Draft Red Herring Prospectus (UDRHP).

The company had earlier filed its IPO papers through the confidential filing route in December 2025. Sources said Zepto is aiming to complete its stock market listing before July 31.

Zepto, Dhoot Transmission Among 6 Companies To Receive Sebi Approval For IPO Launches

If the IPO goes ahead as planned, Zepto will join listed quick commerce rivals Zomato and Swiggy on Indian stock exchanges.

Focus On Dense Urban Markets

Founded by Stanford University dropouts Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, Zepto has been following a different business strategy compared to competitors.

According to a recent report by brokerage Bernstein, the company is focusing more on increasing its presence within existing cities instead of expanding rapidly into new markets.

The report noted that Zepto currently operates around 1,255 dark stores across 61 cities. In comparison, rival Blinkit has over 2,222 stores spread across 243 cities.

Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha Welcomes Labour Ministry's Call To Drop '10-Minute' Branding, Commits To Government Partnership

Bernstein said Zepto has nearly 21 stores per city, much higher than the industry average of around nine stores per city among competitors. The brokerage added that the company is trying to strengthen deliveries and customer engagement in densely populated urban areas.

Betting On Better Profitability

The report suggested that Zepto’s strategy is aimed at improving operational efficiency and unit economics rather than simply increasing the number of cities served.

The company appears to believe that stronger penetration in high-demand metro markets can create better long-term profitability than wider but thinner national expansion.

Tech IPO Wave 2026: PhonePe, Zepto, OYO, boAt Looking To Go Public This Year

Strong Investor Support

Zepto’s IPO plans come after strong investor interest over the past few years.

In October 2025, the startup raised USD 450 million, or around Rs 3,757.5 crore, in a funding round led by CalPERS at a valuation of USD 7 billion.

The company had achieved unicorn status in August 2023 after raising USD 200 million in its Series E funding round, which valued the startup at USD 1.4 billion.

(With PTI Inputs)

Read full story at source

Patriots links 5/21/26: Pats aim to build off 2025, avoid hangover

· Yahoo Sports

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 18: Craig Woodson #31 of the New England Patriots reacts as he runs off the field following an NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

TEAM TALK

Visit afnews.co.za for more information.

  • Key Dates on the 2026 NFL and Patriots calendar. Next up: Patriots OTA May 27, 29.
  • Roster Moves: Patriots sign DT Travis Shaw, release LS Niko Lalos.
  • Mike Dussault hears from Alabama coaches on how RB Jam Miller brings all-phase value to the backfield.
  • Paul Perillo writes how 7th-round pick Behren Morton is no stranger to following in the footsteps of some great quarterbacks and will look to do the same in New England.
  • Patriots Catch-22: 2026 schedule breakdown, OTA preview, latest buzz. (2 hours)

LOCAL LINKS

  • Karen Guregian notes that teams who lose the Super Bowl often turn into easy road kill the following season. The Patriots don’t want to fall into that trap.
  • Mark Daniels finds WR Kyle Williams ready for bigger role, and expecting a ‘night and day’ leap in the offense.
  • Ethan Hurwitz writes about how Kyle Williams underwent a major offseason transformation, intentionally getting a bit bigger.
  • Alex Barth looks at the signing of rookie nose tackle Travis Shaw ahead of OTAs. “At 6-foot-5, 334 pounds Shaw is a true nose tackle, a role the Patriots did not address in free agency or the draft this offseason, after losing Khyiris Tonga in free agency.”
  • Mark Daniels explains how by signing All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, the team also set up a situation to help young safety Craig Woodson as well.
  • Karen Guregian talks with safety Craig Woodson on the swings in his confidence his rookie season and how it all changed in the postseason. “It gave me a lot of confidence knowing that I can play at a high level with the best guys on the field, and I just want to keep building on that.”
  • Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick consider potential breakout candidates for Patriots this season. (26 min.)
  • Patriots Daily podcast: Taylor Kyles and Mike Kadlick discuss how Drake Maye can be even better in 2026.

NATIONAL NEWS

  • Albert Breer (SI) NFL Notes: What’s next for Brendan Sorsby if he loses his injunction; Plus, the league’s push for flag football leagues and more.
  • Jonathan Jones (CBS Sports) Inside NFL owners meetings: International Super Bowl talk, Rashee Rice fallout, Seahawks sale buzz; More.
  • Bill Barnwell (ESPN) 2026 Offseason: AFC teams’ best and worst deals, picks. Patriots Best: Continuing to hit the offensive line. Worst: Swapping out K’Lavon Chaisson for Dre’Mont Jones. /Click for more.
  • Albert Breer (SI) NFL Mailbag: Why the Browns are giving Deshaun Watson a chance to start; Plus, the NFL playing internationally, the Vikings’ GM search and more.
  • Ali Bhanpuri & Tom Blair (NFL.com) Predicting every game, final record for each AFC team. Pats: 8-9 and will not make the playoffs. /Click for more depressing commentary.
  • Greg Auman, et al (Fox Sports) Win-loss predictions, analysis for every team. Patriots: 10-7. /Click for commentary.
  • Henry McKenna (Fox Sports) Playoff predictions from Wild-Card round to Super Bowl LXI. Patriots finish 7th in the AFC. Wild Card round: Bengals over Patriots. /I’ll believe that when I see it, lol.
  • Henry McKenna (Fox Sports) 4 Observations after the 2026 NFL schedule release. 1. You will have ample excuses to avoid your family during the holidays.
  • Patrick Daugherty (NBC Sports) 2026 NFL GM rankings: Analysis for all 32 teams. No. 13 Eliot Wolf.
  • Jamison Hensley (ESPN) When NFL owners get involved with football decisions, results are mixed.
  • Eric Edholm (NFL.com) Each NFL team’s next best Hall of Fame candidate. Patriots: Bill Belichick.

Read full story at source