Vikings at Seahawks preseason week 2: 5 things to watch for

Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) in the second half of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) in the second half of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws a pass for a touchdown to wide receiver Charles Johnson (not pictured) in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws a pass for a touchdown to wide receiver Charles Johnson (not pictured) in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

#5: Getting off to a fast start

Whether it is offense, defense, or special teams, the coaches and players of the Minnesota Vikings always talk about getting off to a quick start so they can control the tempo of the football game.

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That wasn’t the case against the Bengals last week. In fact, the team was only able to muster 1 total yard of offense in the first quarter and were a missed field goal away from a 0-3 disadvantage.

In today’s NFL, recovering from a brutal first quarter is very difficult. If the opposing team gets too much of a lead or has established the pace of the game, teams can fall into the mental frustration and physical exhaustion of that style of play.

Minnesota will need to take the bull by the horns against a familiar Seattle Seahawks teams and establish themselves early in order to keep that going for the regular season.

Next: Vikings game-by-game 2016 season preview

Don’t miss the Minnesota Vikings when they take on the Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday, August 18, 2016. With so many things to watch and the excitement of last week’s game, this is once again must-watch television!

Schedule