Vikings Preseason Game 1 Analysis — at LV

Explained: Players with 'Make or Break' Stakes in Vikings Final Preseason Game
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

It’s time to dish out some Preseason Game 1 Analysis from Sunday. While the Vikings lost 26-20 to the Raiders in Vegas, it’s no reason to panic, considering the preseason just began.

A majority of the regular offensive starters sat out, including Kirk Cousins (COVID), Dalvin Cook (rest), and Irv Smith Jr. (thumb surgery). Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen also did not see the field due to rest.

Who Wrote What About The First Preseason Game?

Craig Peters over at Vikings.com has some of his big takeaways from Preseason Week 1 here.

Player Performance Notes

One of the stars in Minnesota’s first exhibition performance was second-year QB Kellen Mond. The former Texas A&M Aggie showed flashes of confidence early and often. He put together a solid stat line of 9-of-14 passing for 119 yards and a pair of scores, including a 22-yard strike to Albert Wilson.

Compared to Sean Mannion, Mond is the more steady hand with Cousins, at least that’s how the first contest played out. On the other hand, Mannion only put up an 8-for-12 line for 79 yards. Our buddy Josh Frey also notes some other players with stand-out performances over at our sister site, PurplePTSD.com here.

Explained: Why You Should Watch the Vikings 1st Preseason Game
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports.

And our head honcho, Dustin Baker, gives some of his thoughts on preseason game 1 here.

Learning Opportunities in the Preseason

Of course, with the preseason, there will be some learning opportunities for the team to take away. As the Vikings prepare for this Saturday’s duel with the San Francisco 49ers, they will have to cut down on the penalties.

Minnesota was flagged eight times for 71 yards in Sunday’s contest, while the Raiders were penalized four times for just 29 yards.

Another statistic to improve upon for the Purple and Gold is success on third down. Las Vegas converted eight of seventeen opportunities, compared to just one of seven for the Vikes. In a word on that line, ouch.

What’s Next for the Vikings’ Preseason?

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports.

This week begins roster cuts as the final group is eventually trimmed to 53. Week 2 of the Preseason brings the San Francisco 49ers to U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The kickoff for that contest will be Saturday, August 20, at 7 P.M. Eastern (6 P.M. Central). You can listen to the game on KFAN 100.3 FM and the Vikings Radio Network or watch it on FOX 9 Twin Cities.

Vikings football is officially back, and while the first preseason game may have been a loss, there’s still plenty of hope for the Gjallarhorn in 2022.


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