Bears at Vikings (-3½)

Minnesota lost to Baltimore last week and fell below .500 thanks, in part, to the unfathomable total of eight false-start penalties. It’s clearly the Vikings’ most undisciplined performance since their 2005 Al and Alma’s charter on Lake Minnetonka.
Pick: Bears by 7

Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the second quarter in the game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium on Nov. 09, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Commanders vs. Dolphins (-2½)

Two NFL also-rans meet in Madrid for the league’s first-ever game in Spain. It’s not certain what Spaniards have done to deserve such a motley exhibition, other than bankrolling Christopher Columbus.
Pick: Dolphins by 7

A worker pastes a poster on the facade of the renovated Santiago Bernabeu stadium ahead of an NFL regular-season game between the Washington Commanders and the Miami Dolphins in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Buccaneers at Bills (-5½)

Buffalo’s Super Bowl dreams took a hit last week with its stunning upset loss to the lowly Dolphins. The only thing that would have been more shocking last week would have been if Kim Kardashian passed her bar exam.
Pick: Bills by 3

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) fumbles as Miami Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones (23) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Lions at Eagles (-1½)

President Trump was booed loudly last Sunday in Washington when he attended the Lions’ victory over the Commanders. Longtime observers said they had not heard such a toxic fan reaction in D.C. since the last time Daniel Snyder appeared in public.
Pick: Lions by 3

President Donald Trump, center, gestures to the crowd alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, and Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, as they attend an NFL football game between the Commanders and the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Cowboys at Raiders (+3½)

The Jeffrey Epstein scandal erupted anew this week, causing international outrage. Britain’s Prince Andrew has been officially stripped of royal titles and, in the ultimate humiliation, he’ll now move forward in life going by the name of Jerry Jones.
Pick: Raiders by 3

FILE – Prince Andrew looks round as he leaves after attending the Easter Matins Service at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, England, April 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Ravens at Browns (+7½)

Cleveland Guardians all-star closer Emmanuel Clase is facing the end of his career after being charged in a betting scandal. It’s the worst disgrace ever faced by a Cleveland athlete who wasn’t named Deshaun Watson.
Pick: Ravens by 17

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase reacts after the Guardians defeated the Athletics in a baseball game, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

Packers at Giants (+7½)

New York finally fired coach Brian Daboll after the Giants blew another big lead in Chicago. Seventy-three-year old former Giants assistant Bill Belichick could be a candidate for the job, if he can somehow secure permission from his 24-year old girlfriend.
Pick: Packers by 8

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll walks on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)

Chargers at Jaguars (+2½)

Tesla just made a new deal with czar Elon Musk that makes him the world’s first trillionaire. That cements his status as the most overpaid person in the United States, with the exception of Trevor Lawrence.
Pick: Chargers by 7

FILE – Elon Musk speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Texans at Titans (+7½)

The record-breaking federal government shutdown finally ended this week after 43 days of national chaos. Tennessee fans were not impressed by the length of the dispute as their franchise has been shut down since COVID-19.
Pick: Texans by 14

K’Lavon Chaisson #44 of the New England Patriots sacks Cam Ward #1 of the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter of a game at Nissan Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Bengals at Steelers (-4½)

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin insisted he has no “long-term concerns” about Aaron Rodgers despite his recent mediocre play. It’s obvious the Steelers’ mentor now is as comfortable speaking pure bull excrement as his quarterback.
Pick: Bengals by 3

Aaron Rodgers #8 and head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers react after beating the New York Jets 34-32 during the game at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 07, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Panthers at Falcons (-3½)

Atlanta lost to AFC-leading Indianapolis in overtime last week in Berlin, Germany. While the game at the ancient Olympic Stadium drew more than 72,000 fans, it didn’t cause much of a Fuhrer.
Pick: Falcons by 8

A general view inside the stadium prior to the NFL 2025 game between Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts at Olympiastadion on Nov. 09, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images)

OTHER GAMES

49ers at Cardinals (+2½)
Pick: 49ers by 3

Seahawks at Rams (-2½)
Pick: Rams by 3

Chiefs at Broncos (+3½)
Pick: Chiefs by 7

BYE WEEK

Colts, Saints

RECORD

Week 10
9-5 straight up
9-5 vs. spread

Season
93-55-1 straight up (.628)
80-69 vs. spread (.537)

All-time (2003-25)
3912-2156-15 straight up (.645)
2991-2948-145 vs spread (.504)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X– @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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Len’s Meat & Grocery in Stillwater has been sold and will soon become a Grundhofer’s Old Fashion Meats & Grocery store.

Grundhofer’s officials made the announcement on Thursday in a post shared on social media.

“Our family is growing again,” the post states. “We’re thrilled to announce the opening of our fourth Grundhofer’s location.”

Grundhofer’s also owns stores in Hugo, Forest Lake and White Bear Lake.

Len’s, located at the corner of Myrtle and Owens streets, has been a family-owned market since 1995; Len Nelson operated the store until his death, at the age of 88, in 2021.

Len Nelson poses with grandson Jake Blum at Len’s Meat & Grocery. (Courtesy of Jake Blum)

The building, which has operated as a neighborhood grocery store for more than 125 years, is known for its bright blue exterior mural and its motto of being “the biggest little store in the Valley.”

Nelson’s four children inherited the store after he died; one of his grandsons, Jake Blum, took over as store manager. Another of Nelson’s grandsons, Jeremy Hale, and his business partner Blake Verdon purchased the store in 2022; the business partners also own LTD Brewing Co., in Hopkins.

“We feel we have taken the business as far as we can, and it’s time for someone with the experience and know-how to take it to the next level and carry on with Len’s legacy,” Hale said Thursday. “He would want to continue to see it grow. Grundhofer’s is another family business that has been built from the ground up, and they want to carry on the same values we have. The staff, service and quality are really the big things.”

In addition to a new name and updated signage, customers can expect to see new coolers, new freezers and an expanded meat department “with amazing new offerings,” Len’s officials wrote in a post sharing the news. “Have you heard of the Gummy Bear brat?”

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All employees at Len’s will continue as Grundhofer’s employees, said Spencer Grundhofer, the owner of Grundhofer’s.

Grundhofer’s, known for its Minnesota-raised pork and beef, makes 130 different varieties of brats, 20 different flavors of beef sticks, 15 different kinds of summer sausage and 10 different flavors of beef jerky.

“We’re famous for our meat department,” said Grundhofer, who lives in Hugo. “People travel from all over the country to get our brats. We also smoke all our own bacon and salmon. We really focus on high-quality products and customer service.”

Grundhofer’s will take over the business on Dec. 1.

Today is Friday, Nov. 14, the 318th day of 2025. There are 47 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Nov. 14, 1970, a chartered Southern Airways plane crashed while trying to land in West Virginia, killing all 75 people on board, including the Marshall University football team and its coaching staff.

Also on this date:

In 1851, Herman Melville’s novel “Moby-Dick; Or, The Whale” was published in the United States, almost a month after being released in Britain.

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In 1889, journalist Nellie Bly began an attempt to travel around the world in 80 days; she would successfully complete the journey in a little more than 72 days via ships, trains and other means of transport.

In 1910, Eugene B. Ely became the first aviator to take off from a ship as his Curtiss “Pusher” biplane lifted off the deck of the cruiser USS Birmingham off Hampton Roads, Virginia. The flight by the civilian pilot marked the beginnings of naval aviation.

In 1940, during World War II, German bombing raids destroyed much of the English city of Coventry.

In 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, under escort by federal marshals, became the first Black child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in New Orleans.

In 1965, the U.S. Army’s first major military engagement of the Vietnam War began with the start of the five-day Battle of Ia Drang.

In 1969, Apollo 12 blasted off for the moon, three months after Apollo 11 became the first manned mission to land on it.

In 1972, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above the 1,000 level for the first time, ending the day at 1,003.16.

In 1993, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula became the NFL’s winningest coach with a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Including an earlier stint coaching the Baltimore Colts, Shula finished his 33-year career with 347 victories, 19 of them in postseason play.

In 2020, supporters of Republican President Donald Trump — unwilling to accept Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory — rallied around the country, including Washington, D.C., where thousands turned out.

Today’s Birthdays:

Britain’s King Charles III is 77.
Filmmaker Zhang Yimou is 75.
Musician Yanni is 71.
Five-time Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault is 71.
Basketball Hall of Famer Jack Sikma is 70.
Rapper Joseph Simmons (Reverend Run of Run-DMC) is 61.
News anchor Bill Hemmer is 61.
Actor Josh Duhamel is 53.
Rock drummer Travis Barker (blink-182) is 50.
Actor-comedian Vanessa Bayer is 44.
Tennis player Sofia Kenin is 27.

Mason West remembers how close his team came to a state championship two years ago.

And now, in his senior season, the Edina quarterback wasn’t about to be denied a second chance.

West threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns as the Hornets overcame a 21-point, late second quarter deficit to knock off Minnetonka 42-41 in a Class 6A state semifinal Thursday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Edina (8-4) rattled off 35 unanswered points over a span in the third and fourth quarters then held off a late Skippers’ surge to advance to face the winner of Friday’s other semifinal between Moorhead and Lakeville South in the state title game at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21.

That’s the same place the Hornets were two years ago during West’s first season as the starter. In that game, West threw a 21-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining to cut the Centennial lead to just one. But Edina elected to go for two and now-senior Chase Bjorgaard was stopped less than a yard shy of the goal line as the Hornets fell 28-27.

It didn’t look like West and company would get a shot to return throughout much of the first half Thursday. Minnetonka senior Caleb Francois — whose team fell to Maple Grove in the state title game last season — looked unstoppable.

After an interception by senior linebacker Brady Young on the game’s opening drive, he carried the ball six times for 54 yards on a seven-play, 67-yard drive he capped with a 12-yard touchdown run to put the Skippers on top 7-0.

Then, after the Minnetonka defense held Edina to a three-and-out, junior quarterback Caden Gutzmer connected with senior Parker Burckhardt on a 67-yard touchdown pass on the opening play of the Skippers’ second possession.

The Hornets cut the gap to 14-7 when three-year starter Mason West found senior Jabari Strader on a 28-yard scoring strike. But with just two seconds left in the first quarter, Francois broke loose again, this time on a 41-yard touchdown run that extended his team’s lead to 21-7.

He ended the first quarter with 10 carries for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

And he was far from finished, scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run with 4:46 to play in the second quarter.

But the Hornets came buzzing back, first on a 2-yard touchdown run by senior Chase Bjorgaard. Then, after senior Cooper Drake recovered a fumble at the Minnetonka 45 late in the first half, West and Strader connected again, this time on a 19-yard touchdown pass that cut the Skippers’ lead to just seven — 28-21 — at halftime.

The two teams combined for 607 yards of offense in the first half – 288 for the Hornets and 319 for Minnetonka.

Edina kept hold of the momentum in the second half. Despite starting their first drive of the third quarter at their own six, West went deep to senior Sammy Stephenson resulting in a 71-yard touchdown pass that tied the score at 28.

West then scored on an 8-yard run with 10:40 to play to give the Hornets their first lead before again finding Strader on a 44-yard touchdown pass that made the score 42-28.

Minnetonka, though, did not go quietly. Despite Francois battling injury, the Skippers cut the gap to 42-35 when Gutzmer connected with senior Charles Simonsen on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 4:49 remaining.

Then, after forcing a Hornets punt, the Skippers scored on a 6-yard run by senior Quinton Restrepo with 1:42 to go. But Minnetonka elected to go for two and Francois was stopped short of the end zone.

The Hornets then recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock to head back to the state championship game for the second time in three years.

Francois finished with 33 carries for 255 yards. Bjorgaard, meanwhile, had 23 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown.

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