12 Snap Reactions after Vikings at Browns | Preseason
Each week, we offer a “snap reactions” piece detailing thoughts and analysis after the latest Minnesota Vikings game.
12 Snap Reactions after Vikings at Browns | Preseason
This will be off-the-cuff, a wee bit random, and hopefully insightful.
The Vikings won on the road Saturday afternoon over the Cleveland Browns 27-12, extending the preseason win streak to two games after a win over the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend.
1 — What an absolutely fabulous and entertaining preseason game. Most Vikings games in August are snoozers, enabling viewers to multitask or change the channel together. This one, however, was electric because so many unsung young performers stood off the page.
2 — Nick Mullens played efficiently and non-recklessly, for the most part, an important development as he’s just one injury away from becoming Minnesota’s QB1 in 2024. Newcomer Matt Corral was not signed to morph into the QB2; that’s Mullens’ job. Aside from one risky throw, Mullens inspired onlookers to believe he could drive the offense if called upon in 2024.
3 — On Friday, most Vikings fans would’ve said, “Who cares?” to the notion of Lewis Cine getting cut in 10 days. After his showing in Cleveland, though, offloading Cine might seem sinful. The young safety posted the game of his life, albeit in preseason versus backup players, perhaps convincing Minnesota to let him stay around. If the Vikings cut him this month, and he later latched onto a new team only to ball out, fans would never forgive this brand of leadership.
4 — Letting offensive coordinator Wes Phillips run the offense was a fantastic move by Kevin O’Connell. This should be the new preseason norm around the sport.
5 — Will Reichard remains perfect, and the team’s fans are starting to believe the kicking hex may be lifted. Minnesota drafted Reichard as the first kicker off the board in April, and he’s produced wonderfully every step of the way since.
6 — Trishton Jackson continues his roster ascension — so much so that he seems like a shoo-in to make the active depth chart in September. Folks are high on Jalen Nailor as WR3 — rightfully so — but Jackson could even fill in at that spot in a pinch. He’s that smooth and dynamic, at least so far this summer.
7 — Brian Asamoah conducted an awesome moment that the referees bungled and called a sack, not a safety. The Oklahoma alumnus played a lot, meaning he could be on the roster bubble. But he deserves his flowers for the would-be safety.
8 — Though Bo Richter was flagged for two weird penalties, he notched another sack and looked like a man destined to have an impact in 2024 and beyond. Fans hope there’s a roster spot for him in 10 days, and he might have to dethrone Patrick Jones II or Jihad Ward for a spot. Either that — or hoping the squad keeps six EDGEs.
9 — Saturday was The Undrafted Free Agent Show for Minnesota, with Dwight McGlothern, Trishton Jackson, Bo Richter, Jeshaun Jones, and others making noteworthy plays. It’s unclear if they could do that against first-teamers, but they shined nevertheless.
10 — Kwesi Adofo-Mensah joined the announcer’s booth during the second quarter, and if his team is totally down in the dumps about J.J. McCarthy’s injury, they’re sure hiding it well. Since McCarthy was lost for the season, everyone within the organization sounds oddly optimistic. It’s not doomsday.
11 — Jaren Hall surprisingly threw two touchdown passes — right after everyone kind of wrote him off this week. He suddenly looks like a QB3, and that’s exactly his job. Vikings fans shouldn’t have any anxiety about him holding that job title.
12 — Linebacker Dallas Gant had a busy and productive day, banking nine tackles and possibly earning a spot on the practice squad. Keep an eye on his name because he might be one of those guys in the purple orbit for at least a few years.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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