Three things to watch for from the Minnesota Vikings this week
The Minnesota Vikings are about to play the all important third preseason game. Here are some things to watch for in the contest.
The San Francisco 49ers are on their way to U.S. Bank Stadium to take on the Minnesota Vikings. Sure, this is a preseason game, but it’s the all important third preseason game. This contest continually shows the starters playing deep into the second quarter, if not longer. That fact makes this game the most enjoyable preseason game to watch, if there is such a thing as enjoyable preseason game to watch.
So as you watch the game with Al, Cris and the gang on NBC, we figured we’d point out a few things to look for in the, umm, heated matchup.
Sam Bradford and the long ball
We all know that Sam Bradford can throw the long ball. He has done it before and he will do it again. The former first overall pick just hasn’t done it a whole lot in his time wearing a purple uniform. Bradford did go deep to top notch wide receiver Stefon Diggs in last week’s preseason match with the Seattle Seahawks.
No NFL offenses want to tip their hands too much, or at all, during the preseason, but I’d also expect the Vikings to want to try the deep ball out a time or two before the real games roll around. Especially with great receivers like Diggs and Adam Theilen on the squad.
The kicking game
In the past, the Vikings have had great stability in the kicking game. The Vikings usually have a long tenured kicker and punter. This is not your usual Vikings. Minnesota currently has an open competition at both the kicker and punter position and that is something to keep an eye on against the 49ers.
The kicker battle is between Marshall Koehn and Kai Forbath. While the punter battle is between Ryan Quigley and Taylor Symmank. No one, to me, has greatly stood out to the point of having either job secured. The game against the 49ers might just put someone firmly on the final roster.
Run, run, run game
The Minnesota Vikings had a future Hall of Fame running back but he wasn’t very good. Now the Vikings potentially have a three-headed monster out of the backfield. Dalvin Cook has already looked impressive in his rookie preseason, Jerrick McKinnon has been solid for the purple in the past and maybe we’ll all see Latavius Murray join the group. The running game will be a highlight through the season and the way it is used might be shown against SF.
Next: Predicting the Vikings roster!
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