6 days from a nationally televised preseason games against Las Vegas

[StickierBuns]

This is the beginning of something different in Minnesota. We might not see it exactly today, but you will see it. In time. Remember where you heard it first. When you see the first time he does swag in the NFL, then you'll know. He'll be comfortable and then it's on. His upside is Joe Burrow with a better arm. Real optimism here.

[MAD GAINZ]

Little rookie moment on that INT, but otherwise he's made some impressive throws. Extending plays, delivering with guys in his face, and a sweet 45 yd TD throw...

BOOM

[FLVike]

Kirk who?

[purplefaithful]

The hype meter is about to go off the charts...

Seeing JJ play live for the first time I was probably most impressed with his poise out there, he's got a cannon - those big throws look effortless, he's a big guy, showed some good pocket movement, he had a couple rookie moments too. 

I left with an early impression of being hopeful. Looking forward to how the team does vs a real stout Brownie D next week. 

Darnold, Turner Jackson and Fast Kenny were also impressive today. I'm sure I missed a few names. 

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They won an exhibition game for the first time since 2019, beating the Raiders 24-23 on a 37-yard field goal by rookie kicker Will Reichard as time ran out. Kevin O’Connell, winless in his six preseason games as Vikings coach before Saturday, joked this week about how he’d like to win one; he successfully challenged an incomplete pass call and used all three of his timeouts in the fourth quarter to get the ball back for Jaren Hall, who directed the drive for Reichard’s winning score.

Here’s a look at some of the things we learned from the Vikings’ preseason opener.

1. After rookie moment, J.J. McCarthy looks the part.


The Vikings have been consistent about their plan at quarterback; Sam Darnold, who got his first start on Saturday, is in line to be the starter at the beginning of the regular season. Darnold went 4-for-8 for 59 yards and fit an impressive throw over leaping linebacker Robert Spillane to hit Jalen Nailor for 27 yards on a dig route. Darnold’s fourth-down throw to Nailor was broken up in the end zone on the Vikings’ opening drive, but he looked solid on the team’s first possession before leaving the game.

None of that, however, is likely to curtail Vikings fans’ excitement about McCarthy, who went 11 of 18 for 188 yards and threw two deep touchdown passes that will live on as preseason highlight fodder for days. He showed the impressive downfield accuracy he’s flashed throughout training camp on a 45-yard score to Trishton Jackson, dropping the pass into Jackson’s arms as Justin Jefferson (who was miked up for the third quarter of the Vikings’ TV broadcast) galloped down the sideline celebrating.

Then, McCarthy took advantage of a busted Raiders coverage, hitting an open Trent Sherfield Sr. for a 33-yard touchdown after a play fake voided the deep middle of the field. The play came after he found Jackson for a 10-yard gain on fourth-and-1. McCarthy also set up his first score with a 15-yard completion to tight end Nick Muse on a third-and-9.

He scrambled for a first down on a third-and-5 in the second quarter, hit Jackson for 24 yards while absorbing a shot from Amari Burney, and stepped up in the pocket before throwing an 18-yard strike to Jalen Nailor for his first completion.

That drive ended with an interception after McCarthy threw an ill-advised pass for Jackson while being flushed to his right by Spillane, who bowled over Kene Nwangwu on a blitz. It was a rookie moment for McCarthy, who went to the sideline for a quick debrief with O’Connell after the pass. But the rookie rebounded quickly enough, and made enough plays after the interception, that the Vikings could feel good about his debut.

2. Dallas Turner shows up early.


Turner, the Vikings’ second first-round pick, got the start at edge rusher with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel out because of injuries, and needed little time to flash one of his best attributes as a pass rusher. He pressured Aidan O’Connell’s blind side on a third down, and forced a Raiders field goal three plays later when he dipped his shoulder to get around former first-round pick Kolton Miller on a speed rush. Even when the Vikings get Greenard and Van Ginkel back in the lineup, they are likely to use Turner and Pat Jones II in plenty of packages. Turner’s early showing suggested he can be a valuable piece of what should be a deeper pass rush group in 2024, and it seems likely his role will only grow.

3. Run game shows promising signs.


Through his first three NFL seasons, Nwangwu has spent most of his time as a kick returner, seeing little time as a running back. His struggles in pass protection against Spillane on McCarthy’s interception showed one of the areas he still needs to improve, but on the Vikings’ next drive, he delivered a reminder of why he could become a weapon on offense. Given a big hole on the right side after a Raiders linebacker appeared to try slipping under a block, Nwangwu surged through the defense and broke away for a 48-yard score in the second quarter to cut the Raiders’ lead to 10-7.

The play elevated the Vikings’ rushing average to 6.7 yards per carry on Saturday, but they opened space for Ty Chandler in the middle of the field before the running back bounced to the right. The Vikings have struggled to run the ball in the red zone under O’Connell; Chandler’s 1-yard run from the Raiders’ 3 provided a reminder on the opening drive.

4. Vikings might continue their shopping spree at corner.


After trading for Nahshon Wright on Friday, the Vikings have added five defensive backs since the start of training camp, with four of them cornerbacks. They are reportedly set to visit with former Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore on Sunday; their first preseason game provided further evidence why they haven’t stopped looking for help.

Jay Ward, who was drafted as a safety last year but started his college career as a cornerback, has been lining up at corner due to a spate of injuries in training camp, and saw playing time there again on Saturday. He lined up in press man coverage against Tre Tucker, who used his deep speed to beat Ward for 44 yards on a third-down shot from Gardner Minshew, who also hit DJ Turner for a 20-yard score near the pylon before Theo Jackson could get over in coverage.


https://www.startribune.com/vikings-raid.../601039063

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https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/40813032

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https://youtu.be/jcQPt3Z2KEo?si=B0leO3007GpjbVvd

[pattersaur]

Kid’s a frickin stud!! Yes it was the second and third team defense so grain of salt but him coming back after a mediocre (but just fine for a rookie in his first game) half and getting extended PT, and looking awesome, was sweet!

That was a lotta fun. We’ll see how the next few ps games go but if he proves capable, the team will have options with Mullens.

#9 has arrived!

[MAD GAINZ]

I like how the media headlines are "Caleb Williams is outstanding in first action" (4-7 for 95 yds and led two FG drives) and "Jayden Daniels impressive in first start" (2-3 for 45 yds a 3 yd rushing TD).

Meanwhile, JJ actually had extended time and looked impressive but the headline is "McCarthy throws interception and 2 TDs in Vikings win"...

Uh, why not put the two sweet TD passes first instead of highlighting his one rookie throw? I mean he led 3 TD drives... Who cares if it's 2nd string guys.

Fuckers...

[supafreak84]

I don't think you could have scripted a better first preseason game for the Vikings. No significant injuries, rookies made plays, and we actually won for a change. A few thoughts;

- Our rookie quarterback overcame a little adversity and looked outstanding. Arm was as advertised and looked the part. I'll be shocked at this point if he isn't starting coming out of our bye week.

- I said last January that Dallas Turner was the best defensive player in this draft and he has all the tools to be a force and one of the best players in the league. He's as advertised. Still in disbelief that he inexplicably ended up in Minnesota.

- Kudos to some of the other young guys. LDR made a few plays. Rouse is a mountain at either tackle spot and looks like he belongs. Reichard hits the game winner. Jurgens was moving people at both guard and center. Super encouraging all the way around for the rookie class.

- Negatives were I thought the Raiders controlled the physicality of the game in the first half. Outside of Turner beating Peat a couple times, our starting defensive line got pushed around and it was pitch and catch for Jacoby Meyers. Coverage needs to get better. These will be the two big areas of needed improvement next offseason; defensive line and cornerback.

[RS_Express]

Had to work today and record the game.  Sam was better than the 4-8 stat line.  Ty Chandler flat dropped a pass. Our RB's not named Aaron Jones can't pass block. Our short yardage run blocking still stunk. Our entire defense in the first half stunk (no Greenard or Van Ginkel didn't help). Defense looked entirely different in 2nd half. I think the Raiders were miffed by the "vanilla defense" comment because they came after JJ. And usually wished they hadn't 


McCarthy drive summation:
1st: Every rookie QB's "This isn't college, you can't pull that late-across-the-body crap here" moment 
2nd: A nice throw to Jackson and then Kene is faaaast 
3rd: McCarthy pulled a Houdini out of a sack to run for a 1st before our OL had 2 runs stuffed and ST's gave up a blocked FG 
4th: Throws 5 yards to Kene on 3rd and 6 to end 2-minute drive without a 1st down 
(halftime)
5th: 3rd down blitz throw to Muse, Bomb to Jackson, Jefferson goes nuts on sideline 
6th: Near-fumble ends up incomplete pass, 4th down conversion and 30+ydTD both to Shurfield  

3 TD drives in his first preseason game?  Oh yeah!  I think McCarthy has earned some more 1st team reps (he's had none the last week). Those deep balls look effortless and he can throw lasers across the middle.  I saw more moving around the pocket in 2 quarters from JJ than we'd see in a month from Kirk. Just speed up those progressions a bit kid.

[StickierBuns]

I like how the media headlines are "Caleb Williams is outstanding in first action" (4-7 for 95 yds and led two FG drives) and "Jayden Daniels impressive in first start" (2-3 for 45 yds a 3 yd rushing TD).

Meanwhile, JJ actually had extended time and looked impressive but the headline is "McCarthy throws interception and 2 TDs in Vikings win"...

Uh, why not put the two sweet TD passes first instead of highlighting his one rookie throw?  I mean he led 3 TD drives...  Who cares if it's 2nd string guys.

Fuckers...

Yep, the media is something. No rookie QB looked more impressive than JJM yesterday. CJ Stroud on his very FIRST throw in preseason last year threw an INT almost exactly like McCarthy did....a little worse actually. JJM threw for first downs on a 3rd and 9 and on 4th down, both pressure throws on the spot.

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I don't think you could have scripted a better first preseason game for the Vikings. No significant injuries, rookies made plays, and we actually won for a change. A few thoughts;

- Our rookie quarterback overcame a little adversity and looked outstanding.  Arm was as advertised and looked the part. I'll be shocked at this point if he isn't starting coming out of our bye week.

- I said last January that Dallas Turner was the best defensive player in this draft and he has all the tools to be a force and one of the best players in the league. He's as advertised. Still in disbelief that he inexplicably ended up in Minnesota.

- Kudos to some of the other young guys. LDR made a few plays. Rouse is a mountain at either tackle spot and looks like he belongs. Reichard hits the game winner. Jurgens was moving people at both guard and center. Super encouraging all the way around for the rookie class.

- Negatives were I thought the Raiders controlled the physicality of the game in the first half. Outside of Turner beating Peat a couple times, our starting defensive line got pushed around and it was pitch and catch for Jacoby Meyers. Coverage needs to get better. These will be the two big areas of needed improvement next offseason; defensive line and cornerback.

Pretty good assessment here.

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The hype meter is about to go off the charts...

Seeing JJ play live for the first time I was probably most impressed with his poise out there, he's got a cannon - those big throws look effortless, he's a big guy, showed some good pocket movement, he had a couple rookie moments too. 

I was waiting for someone that went to the game and saw him live to say this: he's bigger than you think he is. Thicker. My guess is he'll land close to 225 lbs. for his playing weight in a year or two....he's still only 21. He's more strapping when you see him in person.

There's definitely going to be hype now. He's got a game under his belt. Its just preseason, but not sure you can't watch him in that game and not see a NFL QB. SO important he got this so early for his confidence.

[MaroonBells]

First of all, how fun was that? Home game, QBOTF debut, long passes with JJ mic'd up, rookie kicker comes in to win it. This is why we watch football.

Darnold and McCarthy both looked very good to me. Both accurate and efficient.

2nd team offensive line might have something. Jurgens looked good (saw at least one pancake) and Tyrese Robinson came in for Ingram at RG and immediately helped spring the Kene run.

Once again, this team is WR U. Did Jeshaun Jones get in the game? Both Jacksons looked good and Jalen Nailor is going to have an enormous year if he stays healthy.

Jaren Hall man, the tools are there, but he repeatedly shows that the game is just too big for him. At least for now. If he doesn't stay in Minnesota, I think he could eventually emerge somewhere as a solid QB2. But he can't be that for us now.

Jurgens, LDR, Richter, Porter - Vikings got some really nice players late in this draft and after. That's a lot of hair to set ablaze but LDR's plays with it all on fire. If I buy a jersey this year it might be his.