Matt Johnson

New York

Assignment Manager at NBC News

NBC News, Former NY1er. Golden Girls Fan, Virginia Born. 🏳️‍🌈 (he/him)

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Articles

Kirk Cousins' Ceiling Was Always the Floor

Dec 6, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Tom Schreier |Cole Smith |Bryan Miller |Matt Johnson

In 2017, the University of North Carolina called upon Michael Jordan to hype up a packed house for the upcoming football season. “I’m extremely proud of what coach [Larry] Fedora has done for the football team, and I think bigger and better things are about to happen,” he proclaimed. “The ceiling is the roof. Let’s make it happen. Let’s keep it moving forward.”The Tar Heels finished 3-9 that year, 1-7 in the ACC, and fired Fedora. Even MJ couldn’t keep the roof from caving in.
One Of Minnesota's Greatest Strengths Has Gone Completely Overlooked

Dec 5, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Cole Smith |Bryan Miller |Matt Johnson |Wyatt Wade

Sometimes, fantasy football and Madden culture can warp our view of what constitutes a good football player. People use yards and touchdowns to measure quarterbacks and skill players. Meanwhile, defensive backs only get SportsCenter highlights if they make an interception. Sacks are the easiest way for fans to compare defensive linemen. Most fans are watching the ball during a game. They only notice an offensive lineman if they commit a penalty or allow a sack.
Who Should Vikings Fans Root For On Thursday Night?

Dec 5, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Bryan Miller |Matt Johnson |Wyatt Wade |Matt Fries

Every football fan contains multitudes. So says Walt Whitman, or John Madden, or one of those guys. Says me, anyway. Because not only is every football fan built a little differently, they’re different kinds of fans depending on the situation. This is true of even the most franchise-monogamous stalwart. Even a true-purple Minnesota Vikings fan (like yourself, perhaps) may have slightly shifting loyalties when the Vikes aren’t on the field.
Tiny Nick's Giant Picks: NFL Week 14 Preview

Dec 5, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Nick Hamaty |Brandon Warne |Matt Johnson

(Apple, Spotify, Amazon links below)On this week’s episode of Tiny Nick’s Giant Picks we cover:Today in Sports HistoryWho Was it a Bad Day For? Culvers Teaser of the WeekSpecial Holiday GuestWeek 14 Game PreviewsBest BetsFinished in the top 1% of the 2021 Las Vegas Westgate NFL SuperContest. You can find Tiny Nick’s daily gambling picks over on ZoneCoverage.com and see him appear regularly on SportsGrid!Follow Tiny Nick and Ethan on Twitter.
Feelin' Thankful: Stole One From Arizona and Cousins Revenge Game

Dec 4, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Matt Johnson |Wyatt Wade |Matt Fries |Brandon Warne

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookFollow us on LinkedIn Matt, Preet, and Carter break down the W over the Arizona Cardinals this week. The Minnesota Vikings are still second in the NFC North despite being 10-2 but no worries because their future is in their hands. Starting with a tricky matchup between Minnesota and the Atlanta Falcons, led by one Kirk Cousins.
Do the Vikings Have A Better Chance Against Cousins or Penix?

Dec 4, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Wyatt Wade |Matt Johnson |Matt Fries |Joshua Badroos

After spending about half of last season sidelined with a torn Achilles injury and then going to Atlanta in the offseason, Kirk Cousins’ return to Minnesota has raised some questions. Should he start or sit in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. after he threw four interceptions against the Los Angeles Chargers last week? Cousins is returning to US Bank Stadium after signing with the Atlanta Falcons over the offseason.
Do the Vikings Have A Better Chance Against Cousins or Penix?

Dec 4, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Wyatt Wade |Matt Johnson |Matt Fries |Joshua Badroos

After spending about half of last season sidelined with a torn Achilles injury and then going to Atlanta in the offseason, Kirk Cousins’ return to Minnesota has raised some questions. Should he start or sit in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. after he threw four interceptions against the Los Angeles Chargers last week? Cousins is returning to US Bank Stadium after signing with the Atlanta Falcons over the offseason.
Locked On Twins: What's the CRAZIEST Twins Move You'd Sign Off on This Offseason???

Dec 4, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Brandon Warne |Matt Johnson |Theo Tollefson

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookFollow us on LinkedIn Would you trade Carlos Correa? Or Royce Lewis? Or would you trade all of your decent prospects? What would YOU do this offseason to make something happen for the Twins? What’s your CRAZIEST idea that you’d actually do?
Will the Giants Expose A Longstanding Vikings Weakness?

Sep 6, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Rob Searles |Tom Schreier |Matt Johnson

For seemingly the past decade, the Minnesota Vikings enter the 2024 campaign with question marks throughout the interior of their offensive line. This year, 2020 sixth-round pick Blake Brandel, who the Vikings originally drafted as a tackle, steps into the starting left guard spot vacated by Dalton Risner. Brandel started two games at right guard late last season and allowed a combined seven pressures and one sack. He was also flagged twice.
Brian Flores Is Still Tinkering With His Defense

Sep 5, 2024 | zonecoverage.com | Tom Schreier |Matt Johnson |Matt Fries

After three seasons coaching the Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores spent a year as Mike Tomlin’s senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach. Flores tends to borrow from the people around him, and he brought one of Tomlin’s sayings to the Twin Cities: “Not every meal is a banquet.”“That’s stolen completely,” Flores admitted in August last year. “He mentioned it to the D-line in Pittsburgh.