Preseason games do not end in much more exciting factor than this one did. With a late touchdown and two-point conversion, the Vikings pulled out a dramatic 21-20 win over the Seahawks in front of their home crowd.
Here are a few of the major takeaways from the Vikings’ third preseason game.
The Ups
The main thing everyone wanted to see form this game was a first team offense with rhythm and efficiency. While not as explosive as in week one, John DeFilippo’s crew showed a lot of positive signs against a solid Seattle defense. Kirk Cousins was under pressure constantly with the Seahawks’ heavy blitzing. But he, the line and the scheme all countered the onslaught with quick, accurate passing and solid protection. Cousins spread the ball around to Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Laquon Treadwell, and put the team in position to (theoretically) score 13 first half points. Overall, this was a good game for the starting offense.
It was a good game for the third offense, as well. Kyle Sloter and Chad Beebe are the Cousins-to-Diggs of the bottom half of the depth chart; over half of Sloter’s yards went to the rookie receiver. The most important hook-up came in the final minute as Sloter threw a strike on the run to Beebe in the end zone. Against expectations, those two are giving the coaches a lot to think about.
The Downs
First and foremost, rookie kicker Daniel Carlson stood out in an unsavory way. Just days after officially winning the kicker battle, Carlson missed two 42-yard field goals, both wide left. Mike Zimmer was clearly frustrated with the rookie in his halftime interview. When asked if he is concerned about the missed kicks, Zimmer said only “Yes, yes definitely.” It is no time to write Carlson off, as he was clearly the better kicker between him and Kai Forbath through two games. But kickers have short leashes with Vikings fans.
Perhaps just as concerning in the first half was the play up the middle from the defense. Seattle ran basic trap plays, kicking out Sheldon Richardson and leaving massive holes to run through. The Vikings adjusted well in the second half, but for such a basic run scheme to be so effective against a good defense was a little unsettling.
Last, and perhaps least, Trevor Siemian. He looked incredibly uncomfortable from the second he stepped on the field. Through two games, Siemian has played OK, nothing spectacular, but general not over-matched. Against the Seattle blitz, he looked more than over-matched. His eyes were constantly feet in front of him instead of yards downfield. Compared with Cousins and Sloter, who maneuvered the pocket effectively, Siemian looked like an undrafted rookie playing his first NFL action.
-
Ep 101: Conference Championship Sunday - Preview, Prop Bets, and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on January 29, 2023 at 11:25 am
Play(s) of the Game
Two throws from Sloter deserve top honor. The first was a scramble drill that somehow found paydirt. Flushed from the pocket and rolling to his left, Sloter fired the ball to Beebe streaking towards the end zone. Every part of Sloter’s body was past the line except for one foot, making it a legal pass. The ball just slipped by the outstretched arm of the Seahawk defender and landed perfectly in the arms of Beebe in the end zone for the touchdown.
However, the game was not over there. The Vikings decided to go for two to avoid overtime. Sloter took the snap and fired a quick flat out to Jake Wieneke a couple yards shy of the end zone. Wieneke absorbed a hit and fought for the front pylon. As it appeared he would come just short, the long-armed receiver stretched the ball across the plane for the go-ahead conversion.
Implications
This was the biggest game of the preseason for the entire roster. The first groups showed some positives and some things to work on heading into the regular season. On the back end of the roster, things are beginning to take shape. Beebe has given himself a strong case for a roster spot. Mike Boone appears to have the third running back slot cinched up. Jayron Kearse and Anthony Harris made strong cases in the wake of the George Iloka signing. Rookie Jalyn Holmes saw second team reps ahead of Ifeadi Odenigbo for the first time. This game gave observers a strong idea of what the coaches are thinking as far as roster moves.
The real question now becomes the backup quarterback. Sloter and Siemian had played more-or-less on the same level up to this point. But in week three, Siemian laid an egg and Sloter led a game-winning drive. Would the coaches actually consider a switch? Both will get a lot of snaps in week four. That very well may be the things that ultimately decides it.
–Sam Smith is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Vikings and Deputy Editor for Full Press NFL. Like and Follow @samc_smith Follow @fpc_vikingsFollow @fpc_nfcn
Latest Vikings News
- NFL 2022: Football Food For Thought (Wild Card Weekend)
- Giants at Vikings: Playoff Preview and Prediction
- NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Wild Card Weekend
- Listing The Best Possible Super Bowl LVII Matchups
- Giants at Vikings: Preview and Prediction
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Ep. 85: UMass-Lowell Head Men's Basketball Coach Pat Duquette Interviewby Full Press Coverage on January 30, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
Pelicans at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Clippers at Cavsby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Memphis at Tulsaby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Pacers at Grizzliesby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Drake at Belmontby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Heat at Hornetsby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 2:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Rutgers at Iowaby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Michigan State at Purdueby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
Ep 101: Conference Championship Sunday - Preview, Prop Bets, and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on January 29, 2023 at 11:25 am
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm