Patriot Games Was a Week of Intrigue for the Vikings
Patriot Games Was a Week of Intrigue for the Vikings
This past week the Minnesota Vikings hosted the New England Patriots for two joint practices and a preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium—and (in total) it provided the best look yet at what to expect from the Purple this season. To be sure, these weren’t your Tom Brady/Bill Belicheck Patriots (they only won four games last season), but it was a definite test for the Vikings backups as the Pats started their starters and the Vikings did not (and looked like it in losing 20-12).
The spotlight remains on the QB position and in particular the Vikings second-year signal caller J.J. McCarthy (who didn’t play in the preseason game), and he did not disappoint this week in practice. The first joint practice for JJ was up and down but the second one featured a period during which he completed 13 consecutive passes and threw four TD passes—plenty to get Purple Nation excited for the coming NFL regular season.
JJ’s absence from the actual game meant more time for the backup quarterbacks to display their wares, and, after last week’s practices offering hope, the game prompted more questions. Sam Howell played poorly (throwing a very bad pick that contributed to his 0.0 quarterback rating), Brett Rypien performed better but didn’t inspire, and Max Brosmer had some nice moments, and is still in the conversation, but a pick in the play didn’t help his case.
In addition, the wide receivers room got lighter with a Jalen Nailor injury last week, and Lucky Jackson did not make the most of that opportunity. The defense looked better in practice than the backups did in the game (naturally), Zavier Scott continues to impress and the injured Justin Jefferson returned to practice.
And the co-hosts of Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast (Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com) are here to discuss it all. Tune in and check it out. Skol!
