The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Dallas Cowboys 28-14 last night. It was the Vikings fourth preseason game and the Cowboys third. It may only be the fourth practice game for the Vikings but it fells like the eighth. That extra game for the Hall of Fame game really does extend these exaggerated scrimmages.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is still undefeated in preseason. He's now 8-0 in his two seasons in charge.
The most telling statistic of the game was that the two teams were a combined 0-21 on converting third downs. That's pathetic. Definitely smells like practice. Hopefully that futility ends before the games start counting. The Vikings did convert a fourth down attempt. Yay!
The Vikings haven't done so hot running the football through four preseason games. They are doing that without Adrian Peterson. So there is that. Peterson is a big piece of the team's offensive arsenal but it would still be nice to see a more efficient ground game. The offensive line hasn't been set. Center John Sullivan missed his second preseason game as he recovers from back spasms. Right tackle Phil Loadholt was lost for the season with a torn Achilles. Rookie T.J. Clemmings is still getting used to the position and the offense. The retooled line has done a nice job of protecting the quarterbacks but they need to do a better at opening holes for the running game.
The Vikings haven't done so hot stopping the run either. That was the greatest area of defensive concern coming out of the 2014 season. While the run defense does look improved there's definitely room for more improvement before the season. The team is still looking for the best fits at linebacker. They've done a lot of mixing and matching of personnel. Once that is settled the Vikings run defense should be fine. The line will be better in the second year with Zimmer. The whole defense will be better in the second year. Linebacker will be a strength. There's too talent in the group for it not to be a strength.
The Cowboys defense was a major surprise last year. They were supposed to suck. They didn't. They won't be a surprise this year. They'll be pretty good. Maybe very good. The line should be a strength. Tyrone Crawford was a beast last year. DeMarcus Lawrence started coming on at the end of the season. They added wildcards but talented passrushers in Greg Hardy and rookie Randy Gregory. Versatile, playmaking linebacker Sean Lee is back. Losing corner Orlando Scandrick for the season is brutal. They need disappointing corners Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne to play to their talents. They have the offense to score with anyone. They need this defense to improve on their solid 2014 season. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli is terrific. He'll bring out their best.
Vikings fans have been waiting three games to see quarterback Teddy Bridgewater hook up with new speedy receiver Mike Wallace on a deep pass. They finally got it last night. It was only 39 yards but it sure was pretty. A beautiful, touch throw on the sideline by Bridgewater with pressure. A nice catch by Wallace. The connection set the Vikings up nicely in the red zone. The one bad thing was that they couldn't punch in it for a touchdown. They had to settle for a field goal. At least kicker Blair Walsh made the kick. He's been under pressure after three misses last week. He missed another later in the game so he's still feeling some heat.
The Cowboys first play of the second quarter was a nice one for the Cowboys. Quarterback Tony Romo connected with receiver Terrence Williams across the middle. Williams split the defense and raced to the end zone. A 60-yard score. It's always difficult to tell the intentions of a defense from a living room couch but it looked corner Xavier Rhodes had passed Williams on to safety Robert Blanton as he crossed the field. Blanton was slow to cover and Williams had an opening.
Speaking of Rhodes. He's fast becoming one of the best corners in the league. He ended last season at that level. He's starting this season at that level. An Xavier Rhodes-Dez Bryant matchup is must-see football. Unfortunately we didn't get that this preseason game. Bryant didn't play.
The Vikings answered the Cowboys sudden Williams score with a sudden score of their own. Kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson took the ensuing kick back 107 yards for a touchdown. Outside of a desperation dive at about midfield, Patterson wasn't touched. It was great to see the explosive Patterson running loose. It's been a while.
The Vikings dodged an injury bullet when punter Jeff Locke landed awkwardly after a punt. He was under pressure and the defender rolled into his plant foot. He was down for a while and holding his ankle so it didn't look good. Adding more misery was the fact that the defender that hit Locker was held by protector Eric Kendricks. The Vikings had to re-punt and kicker Blair Walsh had to do the punting. His punt was fine but the coverage wasn't. Cowboys returner Cole Beasley brought it back about 40 yards to the Vikings 23-yard line. That set up the Cowboys second touchdown and a 14-13 lead. Locke did return to punt a few times after the worrisome play.
Bridgewater played the first quarter. Romo played a little more. The Romo-led Cowboys offense scored two touchdowns. Both were throws by Romo.
The Vikings had seven penalties in the first half. They weren't huge penalties but they were certainly a nuisance. A false start on left tackle Matt Kalil played a role in keeping the Vikings single trip into the redzone at a field goal. Seven penalties is too much for an entire game. Let alone a single half.
Shaun Hill replaced Bridgewater in the second quarter. The Vikings managed a field goal.
The more that I see of probable third-string quarterback Taylor Heinicke the more that I like him. I've never seen or heard the rookie interviewed but he strikes me as a serious sort. He was sharp last night. He threw a nice touch pass to Isaac Fruechte on the sideline. He threw another nice touch pass to tight end Chase Ford for a two-point conversion and a 21-14 lead in the third quarter. He also showed some elusiveness in the pocket.
The Cowboys backup quarterbacks didn't fare as well as those of the Vikings. That was really the difference in the game. It didn't help that Brandon Weeden was out with a concussion. Dustin Vaughan didn't do much. Jameill Showers did even less. His fumbled snap led to the Vikings final touchdown.
28-14 Vikings! The Vikings close this extremely long preseason against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday.
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