Minnesota Vikings Preseason Game #2

Another Minnesota Vikings preseason game. Another Minnesota Vikings preseason loss.

 
Minnesota Vikings 16
Tennessee Titans 24

Head coach Kevin O’Connell is now 0-5 in preseason games. Who cares?

As with last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Vikings defeated the Titans in the first half. The score was 9-7 at the half when the game was a battle between 2s vs 2s. With Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill not playing as this season’s presumed starter and rookie Will Levis not playing due to an injury, second-year Malik Willis played the entire game. He decidedly got the best of the Vikings third-string, and beyond, defenders. The Titans gained about 126 yards in the first half. They matched that total on two of their first three drives of the second half. Willis ran and passed at will when he was up against the bottom of the Vikings defensive roster. The Titans had a ghastly 281 yards rushing for the game. The vast majority of those yards came in the second half. 

Vikings Highs:

1. First half defense

The defense did give up a nine-play, 70 yard touchdown drive. The other five first half Titans possessions were 3 plays-punt, 3 plays-punt, four plays-punt, five plays-interception, one play-end of half. 

2. Running Backs DeWayne McBride and Aaron Dykes

Last week, Ty Chandler was the only productive back. This week, rookies DeWayne McBride and newly signed Aaron Dykes were productive. McBride scored the Vikings only touchdown. Dykes also had some nice kick returns. 

3. Backup Tight Ends

As a team, the Vikings had 17 catches for 200 yards. Tight ends Nick Muse, Ben Sims, and Colin Thompson had seven combined catchers for 115 yards. 

3. Linebacker Troy Dye

Troy Dye’s interception was his highlight play. He had a nice game overall. 

4. Rookie quarterback Jaren Hall

Considering Jaren Hall’s game a “high” might be a bit of a stretch. After an unproductive debut last week, he finally got a drive going this week. It was a long drive. It started at his own 12-yard line. It ended in a touchdown. The bulk of the yardage was gained on the ground. Some of that yardage was his own. Instead of taking sacks, Hall took off a couple times. He also completed three passes for 44 yards. 

5. Kicker Greg Joseph

Having won a modest kicking battle with rookie Jack Podlesny this week, Greg Joseph made all four of his kicks against the Titans.

6. Special Teams NaJee Thompson

The Vikings may have found their special teams ace. For the second week, NaJee Thompson made highlight reel plays as a gunner. He experienced concussion symptoms after his helmet-less punt return stop against the Titans. The Vikings must find room for him on the 53-man roster.

Vikings Lows:

1. Oli Udoh

Vikings backup right tackle had a rough game. Penalties were a problem. His blocking was a problem. Filling in on the starting offensive line during the season is far different than anchoring a back-up offensive line. This is Udoh’s fifth year in the league. He shouldn’t struggle as much as he did with another team’s backup pass rushers.

2. Second Half Defensive Line

In the second half, the Titans gashed the Vikings on the ground. They also had a load of problems with the mobility of Malik Willis. 

The Vikings wrap up their preseason schedule next week when they host the Arizona Cardinals.