Vikes/Pats Pre-Season Game 2
It seems likely the Vikings will sit most of their first-team offense after the joint practices, meaning the game against the Patriots will provide more work to the Vikings’ backups. As the team tries to sort out its depth across the roster, the game will be the main event of the week for the Vikings’ backups.
Position battles, especially at backup quarterback, lead our list of things to watch between the Vikings and Patriots (Noon, Fox 9):
1. Howell starts; Brosmer gets more time at QB
Howell completed 11 of his 13 passes for 105 yards against the Texans last week, while running for a 1-yard touchdown. He could get at least as much work on Saturday against the Patriots, as one of the three quarterbacks who’ll play in the game. Brett Rypien, who completed only one of his four passes against the Texans after Tremon Smith knocked his deep throw out of Jeshaun Jones’ hands, will likely get more work on Saturday. But O’Connell said Max Brosmer, who hit Myles Price for a decisive scoring pass last week, “has earned” more playing time; the former Gophers QB is pushing for a spot on the roster, while Howell is trying to solidify the No. 2 QB job behind McCarthy.
2. Another stage for Murphy
Edge rusher Gabriel Murphy had a sack and five QB hits last Saturday, continuing to build on a training camp where O’Connell said he’s looked like “a man on a mission.” He’ll likely get more work against the Patriots, and could start for a second straight week with veteran defenders out. The Vikings are as deep at edge rusher as anywhere on the roster, but Murphy seems to have a good chance at joining Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner on the roster if he continues to do what he’s doing.
3. Running back battle continues
Zavier Scott led the Vikings with seven carries for 40 yards last week against the Texans, while Ty Chandler gained just 5 yards on five carries. Chandler is one of two players from the 2022 draft class left on the roster after the Vikings waived Brian Asamoah II last week, and Scott could be on the verge of taking his spot if he continues to produce in the preseason. The Vikings still want to see better pass protection from Chandler; if he gets chances to play in passing situations Saturday, showing he can take on rushers and decipher pressure schemes might be his best avenue to help his chances of making the team.
4. Vikings need WRs to stand out
Wide receiver depth is becoming an issue for the Vikings, with Jordan Addison set to miss the first three games because of a suspension, Rondale Moore out for the season with a knee injury and Jalen Nailor nursing a hand injury after jamming it in joint practices this week. It means the Vikings need other receivers on their depth chart to assert themselves, and Saturday could be an important opportunity for players on the roster bubble.
Lucky Jackson has seemed in contention for a spot, and he caught three passes for 30 yards last week. It will be interesting to see if the Vikings use him as a punt returner after he spent some time fielding punts in practice this week. Price, who caught last week’s touchdown pass, also has an opportunity; he’s done some work as a punt returner as well and has caught coaches’ eyes during camp.
Last week Tai Felton had the best play of the day on special teams, forcing Jawhar Jordan’s fumble of Oscar Chapman’s punt, and the third-round pick caught both of the passes he was thrown, for a total of 14 yards. He’s still a project as a receiver who needs to add strength to play the position in the NFL. Jones, Dontae Fleming and Silas Bolden will also get work.
5. O’Connell mic’d up
As they did during the preseason finale in Philadelphia last year, the Vikings’ broadcast will have O’Connell on during the entire third quarter against the Patriots. The coach’s real-time reactions to plays as they happened (and his occasional insights about a play before it happened) were a highlight last year, and the segment provides a rare up-close look at a coach’s thought process. It’ll be worth paying attention to it, or catching it on a replay later.
STRIB
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I'm really looking forward to seeing Brosmer again. I think there is something there...
Also really hoping we see something from our WRs not named Jettas, Jordan, and Jalen. Need one of these guys to step up. Jeshaun Jones, Lucky, Tai, Price...
MAD GAINZ wrote:Same. Would like to see both Howell and Brosmer make progress. If somehow Brosmer could be QB2 next year for the team, what a coup for an UDFA. Long way to go yet, needs to stack good play the next two games because he'll get basically zero reps for the rest of the year once the season starts. Then good play next year in OTAs and minicamp, etc. But I think he's got a shot, but much to see yet. KOC wants to see more from Brosmer, a very good sign. As always, keep injuries to zero if possible.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Brosmer again. I think there is something there... Also really hoping we see something from our WRs not named Jettas, Jordan, and Jalen. Need one of these guys to step up. Jeshaun Jones, Lucky, Tai, Price...
WR depth has grown as an issue (for me) as the pre-season progresses. I want to see one of these kids take 2 steps forward the next couple games.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
My guess is that the defense practices the fundamentals of tackling next week.
NorseFeathers wrote:
My guess is that the defense practices the fundamentals of tackling next week.
LOL, they sure must have missed that session in training camp. It was rough.
I was trying to take something positive out of the time I wasted watching this game. I guess maybe there were a few. But the biggest positive is it will be easier to decide who to cut when the time comes!
hogjowlsjohnny wrote:
I was trying to take something positive out of the time I wasted watching this game. I guess maybe there were a few. But the biggest positive is it will be easier to decide who to cut when the time comes!
Agreed.
maybe this will help....?
This is Drake Maye’s starting center against a 5th round rookie btw pic.twitter.com/K03IivWxiv
— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) August 16, 2025
Vaughn looks like a PS project who could potentially develop, Ward looked good, outside of that there wasn't anyone in the secondary that looked like they will help this team this year. I really don't know what Flores and Kwesi are thinking. Blackmon is not close, I don't get the Rodgers love, has never been more than a 4 or 5 CB, Okudah hopefully finally plays to his potential Biggest thing I have been hoping for this pre season is to see someone step up and look like they could be the answer, but no one is there. Blackmon someone they are counting on looks small, slow and cannot make a tackle. Not sure he makes the roster if he were not a 3rd round pick.
You play the scrubs, this is what shit looks like. But this happens every year and then the fanbases of the respective teams gets critical and it really turns out to be nothing. Minnesota sat not only their starters, but some of their top backups. Nice to see Bradbury in mid-season form. The NFL forces crap like this on season tickets holders and I can't imagine watching something like this live. Once it was announced JJ wasn't starting, the stadium was what? Less than half full? Its just such bad, bad football the preseason. I love the pronouncements from some players, like Ashton Jeanty: he said 'he arrived' yesterday....had 7 carries for 33 yards. A week ago he had 3 carries for -1 yards. Arrived? lol. Oh yeah, and Jaxson Dart is the Tom Brady of the preseason, the Giants are back baby! (sarcasm). Bryce Young sucked....then was 'good'....now there's 'concerns' again, lol.
Preseason football. Yuck. And the preseason hyperbole? Barf.
StickierBuns wrote:
You play the scrubs, this is what shit looks like. But this happens every year and then the fanbases of the respective teams gets critical and it really turns out to be nothing. Minnesota sat not only their starters, but some of their top backups. Nice to see Bradbury in mid-season form. The NFL forces crap like this on season tickets holders and I can't imagine watching something like this live. Once it was announced JJ wasn't starting, the stadium was what? Less than half full? Its just such bad, bad football the preseason. I love the pronouncements from some players, like Ashton Jeanty: he said 'he arrived' yesterday....had 7 carries for 33 yards. A week ago he had 3 carries for -1 yards. Arrived? lol. Oh yeah, and Jaxson Dart is the Tom Brady of the preseason, the Giants are back baby! (sarcasm). Bryce Young sucked....then was 'good'....now there's 'concerns' again, lol.Preseason football. Yuck. And the preseason hyperbole? Barf.
I actually like watching the scrubs play in the pre-season. Looking for signs of diamonds in the rough so to speak. Some of them played OK. For example, I saw Scott pick up a blitz which I find positive in his roster battle with Chandler. Scott has great vision, hands and will probably make the roster if he can block in the passing game.
There was also some good defensive tackle play at times.
But by and large, the scrubs did not play well and got their butts kicked.
Hopefully the coaches got some clarity from yesterday...
Honestly didnt watch more than 28 minutes of that game. It's not a part of the game that captures my attention. I get some fans love it - especially draftniks.
For me? Let the coaches determine the depth.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Kobe King showed a lot of promise yesterday, especially encouraged by his coverage downfield as that was the knock against him. Really like Felton, good hands and seems like a tough physical WR, he looks bigger than what his weight is listed. The other WRs did not step up, both Jackson and Price with drops. I don't think we can depend on on Nailor staying healthy, so think WR is a position where we definitely will pick someone else up. Williams looks good on the DL.
Up until 2019, the only preseason game to watch was the first half of the 3rd game because all the starters, on both sides, played.
In 2025 the starters don't play together, if at all.
the joint team practices is where the starters play together.
Player tea leaf reading has gotten more difficult
hogjowlsjohnny wrote:
I actually like watching the scrubs play in the pre-season. Looking for signs of diamonds in the rough so to speak. Some of them played OK. For example, I saw Scott pick up a blitz which I find positive in his roster battle with Chandler. Scott has great vision, hands and will probably make the roster if he can block in the passing game. There was also some good defensive tackle play at times. But by and large, the scrubs did not play well and got their butts kicked.
I think Scott makes it over Chandler regardless. Scott may get some time to learn the protections. Chandler hasn't figured them out after several years.
I like watching the game and just checking out where different players are, but I can’t imagine being forced to buy those tickets at full price. It’s a tough sell when most of the players are people you’ve never heard of and probably won’t make the team.
They really should be decoupling the tickets from the season ticket holders and offering them to the public at dramatically reduced prices. See if they can work with some local companies to buy the tickets and donate them to local charities that give them to low income families or youth groups or schools or something like that.
medaille wrote:
I like watching the game and just checking out where different players are, but I can’t imagine being forced to buy those tickets at full price. It’s a tough sell when most of the players are people you’ve never heard of and probably won’t make the team.They really should be decoupling the tickets from the season ticket holders and offering them to the public at dramatically reduced prices. See if they can work with some local companies to buy the tickets and donate them to local charities that give them to low income families or youth groups or schools or something like that.
I agree completely. That would be the thing to do. But I think that kinda already happens organically. I know in Denver a LOT of those in attendance at preseason games are families who bought them cheap on reseller sites from season ticket holders. The game might be meaningless but it's still a good night out with all the hype and hoopla, especially for kids who don't really know the difference.
There are a lot of ways the NFL could enhance the fan experience at preseason games without drastically impacting the goal of simulating a real game atmosphere.
I know the NFL takes itself very seriously but some of the wacky Minor League MLB team promotions, funky jerseys, timeout entertainment, exclusive giveaways, etc, could help add some value for fans to these games that teams may not want in a Big Serious Real regular season game.
MaroonBells wrote:
I agree completely. That would be the thing to do. But I think that kinda already happens organically. I know in Denver a LOT of those in attendance at preseason games are families who bought them cheap on reseller sites from season ticket holders. The game might be meaningless but it's still a good night out with all the hype and hoopla, especially for kids who don't really know the difference.
Thats exactly what we do with our pre-season tix...Have been doing that for quite some time.
We gift them to family/friends who would otherwise never be able to see a game live at USB - especially with kids in tow.
Win/win...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
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