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Mark Craig

Sports reporter
Vikings/NFL
A native of Northeast Ohio, Craig covered the Cleveland Browns from 1991 until they left for Baltimore in 1995. When they returned as an expansion team in 1999, Craig left to cover Gophers football for the Star Tribune. He co-authored two books on the Browns and is the author of the Vikings book "100 Things Vikings Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die."

Latest from Mark Craig

Five extra points: Take some bows, Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores

The Vikings coach and defensive coordinator have met the moment at the end of what could have been a joyless season.
December 26, 2025

NFL Week 17 picks: Seahawks, 49ers and Broncos are bucking old-school NFL mantras

Seattle, San Francisco and Denver are a combined 35-10 despite being minus-12 in turnover margin.
December 24, 2025

Analysis: Motown misery! Lions might surpass Vikings as NFC’s biggest letdown in 2025

Dan Campbell’s crew, its tough-guy identity gone, will take disappointment to another level if the Lions miss the playoffs.
December 24, 2025

Five extra points: Dropped passes, durability remain chief Vikings concerns

Key plays in the Vikings’ 16-13 victory over the Giants could have ramifications for free agency, the NFL draft and even the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
December 22, 2025

NFL Week 16 picks: Colts quarterback Philip Rivers should be eager for this week’s game

Indianapolis and its 44-year-old signal caller return home to face a 49ers team with a toothless pass rush.
December 18, 2025

Analysis: Vikings’ Will Reichard is helping kickers shatter NFL records

A record eight 60-yard field goals have been made this season, including a 62-yarder from Reichard.
December 17, 2025

Five extra points: Vikings should keep thanking Justin Jefferson

The star wide receiver continues to show what a special person and player he is, even if his chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a work in progress.
December 15, 2025

Analysis: Farewell to the Vikings’ Paul Wiggin, who humbly shared his journey through the NFL

Wiggin, a longtime Vikings coach and personnel executive, died Friday at age 91 after spotting and developing Hall of Famers in Minnesota.
December 15, 2025

Week 15 NFL picks: Bo Nix outpacing 2024 draft classmates in wins

Mark Craig looks around the league, including at the Broncos’ strong second-year starter, and picks winners of every Week 15 game.
December 11, 2025

Analysis: Jefferson was one of the NFL’s easiest $35 million-a-year decisions

The Vikings have everything they want in their star receiver. Compare that with the choice Dallas faces with wideout George Pickens.
December 10, 2025

Five extra points: Justin Jefferson OK with another slow day ‘as long as we get the win’

Jefferson was less OK with coming out of Sunday’s game against Washington, where the Vikings got key contributions from C.J. Ham and Harrison Smith.
December 8, 2025

It's 'just one of those years' again for the Vikings

The Vikings haven't made consecutive postseason appearances since 2008-09. The two most common reasons that befall a franchise? Injuries and instability at quarterback.
December 6, 2025
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