Field goal kicking in the NFL is a highly specialized and highly nuanced pursuit about which most of us (myself included) know very little in terms of particulars.

Here's what I do know: Vikings kicker Blair Walsh finished dead last in the NFL last season in field goal percentage (74.3 percent), but he agreed to a contract Sunday that makes him one of the league's highest-paid kickers. Walsh was stellar as a rookie and decent as a second-year player in 2013, so it's not like there's no track record.

Kicking continuity is a nice thing, but Walsh still needs to show he is worth the money and commitment.

It's in the game: Check out a feature on how the player ratings for the new Madden 16 football game were made at fivethirtyeight.com.

Need a boost: The Twins have been resilient all year, but they could sure use a trade reinforcement or two if they're going to keep it up.