The Minnesota Vikings had a preseason game losing streak of ten games. They hadn’t won one of these practice games since 2019. Yesterday, the Vikings defeated the Las Vegas Raiders at US Bank Stadium. A final second field goal. Considering the Vikings history with kickers it felt surprisingly good to have a kick end this practice game losing streak. Congratulations to kicker Will Reichard on his Vikings debut.
24-23. Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings have a preseason win. Finally. A win against the Cleveland Browns next week and the Vikings are on a practice game win streak.Yay.
It’s preseason. A win is nice. The nuance within the 60 minutes is more important. This is the only opportunity I’ve had to put my eyes on this Vikings team. My immediate takeaway is that the defense needs help. In particular, Raiders pass catchers were running free in the Vikings secondary. It’s one game. It’s a handful of snaps. The Vikings defense can be, and needs to be, better. Apparently the front office and coaches realize it. They apparently didn’t need this game to realize it. Perhaps as exciting as the nail-biter preseason game that highlighted yesterday was the news that veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore is flying to Minnesota on Sunday. He’s visiting on Monday. It’s likely that Gilmore is the new man in the Vikings defensive back room by the end of the day. He wouldn’t be flying to Minnesota if something, contract-wise, wasn’t already done. Until then, the focus is on a long sought preseason win. Finally. A preseason win.
24-23.
The Vikings offensive starters:
Christian Darrisaw
Blake Brandel
Garrett Bradbury
Ed Ingram
Brian O’Neill
Sam Darnold
Ty Chandler
C.J. Ham
Jordan Addison
Jalen Nailor
Josh Oliver
Other than Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones, the above are the Vikings offensive starters. Stay healthy Jalen Nailor. Only availability has kept him from becoming an impact player in his first two seasons. This season is his opportunity. Practice-wise, he’s been All-Pro. He shined in his brief opportunity against the Raiders. Nailor must stay healthy.
The offensive starters played one series and drove to the Raiders four-yard line. A four-and-out ended the mostly productive performance. Sam Darnold looked good. Nailor looked like an outstanding #3. If the assumptions for the Vikings season was based on this one drive, the offense looks ready. The offense looked crisp with Darnold and he didn’t have his three best weapons. Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones and injured T.J. Hockenson Troubles with his helmet communication didn’t hinder Darnold at all. He often had to race to the sideline to get the call and hustle back to the huddle. Then he’d shred the Raiders defense. It was one series of a practice game. Darnold looks ready to lead the Vikings.
The Vikings defensive starters:
Harrison Phillips
Jonathan Bullard
Jonah Williams
Patrick Jones II
Dallas Turner
Blake Cashman
Ivan Pace Jr.
Byron Murphy Jr.
Akayleb Evans
Josh Metellus
Camryn Bynum
Projected starters Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Harrison Smith did not play.
So, the defense wasn’t great. The Raiders starting offense pretty much marched down the field unimpeded during the first half. Most of it was with the pass. Aidan O’Connell and Garner Minshew had their way with the Vikings secondary for pretty much the entirety of the first half. Before this game, I questioned whether the Vikings needed to add a corner like Stephon Gilmore. I no longer question that. I understand now why he’s on his way to Minnesota today.
Prior to the game, I listed the following as players I wanted to see against the Raiders:
- J.J. McCarthy
- Dallas Turner
- Jalen Nailor
- Jeshaun Jones
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Dwight McGlothern
- Will Reichard
I saw them.
J.J. McCarthy’s stat line:
11/17, 188 yards, 2 TDs, 1 int.
Two of my highlights for McCarthy were two instances that are minor in the grand scheme of his first NFL experience.
1) McCarthy was hit hard as he threw to Trishton Jackson. On the slow-motion replay of the play, McCarthy, as he’s going down hard to the ground, focuses on the throw downfield. The result of the play was his only concern. The hit and the new US Bank turf were an afterthought.
2) McCarthy had a play in which his loss of the ball, in real time, was an incomplete pass or fumble question. Instead of watching he was getting into the business of securing the ball.
This really in’t an intentional criticism of Kirk Cousins. The now Atlanta Falcons quarterback spent six years in Minnesota essentially watching plays like the above two. McCarthy is a football player. I didn’t need these two plays to convince me of that but I like seeing it his NFL debut.
The quality of McCarthy’s play might best be seen in the comparison with Jaren Hall’s play. McCarthy looked liked an NFL quarterback. Hall, in his second training camp, barely looked competent against the Raiders third team. Hall did eventually get comfortable and he did get the Vikings in game-ending field goal range with short passes. McCarthy looked like he’s ready for the league.
While I still see Sam Darnold as the Vikings quarterback this season, I can not wait to see J.J. McCarthy as the team’s leader. Other than an interception on his third NFL throw, I thought that McCarthy looked great.
Dallas Turner is going to be a problem for every offense the Vikings face. On a couple snaps, he took apart the Raiders starting left tackle. He’s going to be a difference-maker. This season.
Jalen Nailor looked every bit the impact player that he has the talent to be. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are an outstanding top two. If he can stay on the field, Nailor will give the Vikings an outstanding top three receivers.
Jeshaun Jones saw the field but he didn’t see a pass. I really think that after Jefferson, Addison, and Nailor, the Vikings receiver room is wide open. Trishton Jackson made a strong case for one of the spots yesterday. Trent Sherfield probably did as well. It’s easy to focus on touchdowns. Through the offseason, Brandon Powell was penciled into the #3 role. Realistically, he’s probably competing with Jackson, Sherfield, Jones, and Thayer Thomas. Right now, I’m not so sure that Powell makes the team. Barring a late training camp and preseason surge, Jones probably has a spot on the practice squad.
Levi Drake Rodriguez had a sack, a tipped pass, and made an impact. The Vikings defensive line is a big question. Rodriguez is one of the youngsters that could make the group a strength. He had a pivotal sack against the Raiders. When he was on the field, his presence was felt. I’d be stunned if he’s not on the season’s 53-man roster. Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Jerry Tillery are probably assured of spots. Jonah Williams, Jaquelin Roy, Rodriguez, Jaquelin Roy, James Lynch, and Jalen Redmond are competing for two, maybe three spots.
Dwight McGlothern played with and against backups. He looks the part. He didn’t look lost in his first NFL experience. Even with Gilmore, I like McGlothern on the final 53.
Will Reichard had the game-winning field goal. He has the job. Despite the Vikings recent kicking struggles, I expect a long, successful kicking run for Reichard in Minnesota.
