Minnesota Vikings beat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-16

The Minnesota Vikings are 2-0 in this endless god-forsaken preseason after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-16 at TCF Bank Stadium.

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The victory seems even more hollow than most pointless, stupid preseason wins in light of the news about right tackle Phil Loadholt who is reportedly out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon.

Loadholt injured himself on the second play of the game and was visibly upset as he was carted away to the locker room. Preseason!

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer addressed the injury after the game (via Vikings.com):

"“It’s disappointing for Phil because he has worked so hard and he is such a great person but it’s part of football,” Zimmer said. “Guys get hurt and the next guy has got to come, and we go.”"

Rookie T.J. Clemmings replaced Loadholt and did well according to Zimmer:

"It’s hard for me to see everything, but I thought we protected well tonight for the quarterbacks. Our completion percentage was off the charts. We did a lot of good things and when you can protect like that, it makes it better for the quarterback. But we did a nice job with protection."

Vikings starting QB Teddy Bridgewater went 7-for-8 for 86 yards in his brief appearance and thankfully did not tear his Achilles tendon. Backup Shaun Hill went 8-for-9 for 104 yards and 2 TDs including a 21-yard scoring strike to Cordarrelle Patterson.

Mike Zimmer praised Patterson for the touchdown after the game but also expressed bemusement at the mercurial receiver’s taunting penalty on a different play.

"Yeah, he did a nice job, made a nice catch. I wish he wouldn’t have gotten a taunting penalty on second and four, but those are more learning experiences."

The Vikings defense gave rookie quarterback Jameis Winston all kinds of problems. The #1 overall draft pick was just 9-of-19 passing and was picked off once by Antone Exum. Winston was sacked once by DE Everson Griffen.

The Vikings’ “rushing attack” was “led” by Dominique Williams who carried the ball 6 times for 44 yards. Adam Thielen “led” all receivers with 54 yards on two catches including a TD.

Rookie Eric Kendricks had four fake tackles on the night and one fake sack. Coach Zimmer talked about Kendricks’ performance:

"He flew around well. He had one sack, so that one wasn’t too hard, no one blocked him. He’s a good kid that and has some ability and flies around. He’s got good speed and made a good tackle with the guy going out on the flat there."

After the game, Zimmer left the team to attend the funeral of his father who passed away earlier this week.

Next: Mick Tingelhoff enters Hall of Fame

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