The Minnesota Vikings dropped a nail-biter to the Indianapolis Colts in preseason game #2. 12-10.
The Vikings were bad on offense, defense, and special teams in the first preseason game. Really bad. The defense was better against the Colts. Much better. The defense gave up no touchdowns. The defense even scored a touchdown. Through two preseason games the Vikings offense has yet to do that. The defense had a couple interceptions. They were stout against the run. The special teams was better. They had some nice returns. There was a long field goal (49 yards). Another long field goal (51 yards) was missed. The Vikings make that field goal and they win the game. That’s what the math says.
The offense wasn’t good.
227 total yards
156 yards passing
The biggest problem was probably this:
17 completions
34 attempts
That would’ve been terrific in 1955. In today’s NFL, that’s terrible. Three Vikings quarterbacks built those passing statistics.
Jake Browning
6/15 82 yards
Kellen Mond
6/12 61 yards
Kirk Cousins
5/7 23 yards
Browning’s final two possessions of the first half were the only moments of something that might be considered offensive rhythm. He had some nice connections with Chad Beebe and K.J. Osborn. That got a field goal and a Hail Mary opportunity. Three offensive points. An offensive explosion! Other than that, all three quarterbacks seemed to have no control over their throws. High, wide, low. Anywhere but the intended destination.
It’s only preseason.
I have faith in the Vikings defense. It may take a long time before I’m ever comfortable with a Vikings kicker but I have optimism for the Vikings special teams. Then there’s the offense
Through two preseason games, the Vikings offense has fans and talking heads scratching their collective heads. The play of the quarterbacks last night has even caused rumblings of the need to acquire a veteran backup. I don’t get it. The quarterbacks have to play better. There’s no question about that. Cousins has a three-possession preseason sampling. It wasn’t good. It was also without Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and for the most part Adam Thielen. Irv Smith Jr. had a token appearance. Tyler Conklin has missed much more game and practice time than he’s seen. The Vikings have a different offense when their top playmakers are on the field. That talent hasn’t been on the field for either preseason game. Cousins is a different quarterback when the offense is complete. Every quarterback is a better quarterback with better offensive talent. That includes Browning and Mond. The hope is that Cousins plays 17 regular season games. That was the hope when Sean Mannion was the backup. That veteran quarterback provided no comfort. I’m probably more comfortable with Browning or Mond and a full compliment of playmakers than I ever was with Mannion. The Vikings will have issues if Cousins misses games. The last-minute addition of some veteran slappy won’t change that.
It’s only preseason. There’s one more preseason game. At Kansas City on Friday.
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