Starters look solid, Vikings edge the Seahawks for another preseason win

The Minnesota Vikings rebounded from their loss a week ago and came out of U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday with a 21-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

During their second and final home game of the preseason on Friday, the Minnesota Vikings showed glimpses of the impressive team many believe they can be in 2018.

After four quarters of action, the Vikings left U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday with a 21-20 preseason win over the Seattle Seahawks. Minnesota is has now won two of their three preseason matchups this year.

The Vikings’ offense was much more productive against the Seahawks this week than they were last Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With most of their the starters playing the entire first half on Friday, Minnesota’s first-team offense punted on just one of their four drives in the first two quarters.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings’ first-team offensive group only generated six points in the first half, but it was not like they didn’t have other scoring opportunities. After being named Minnesota’s starting kicker for 2018 earlier this week, rookie Daniel Carlson misfired on two 42-yard field goal attempts during the first two quarters of Friday’s matchup.

Hopefully, Carlson is just getting out all of his missed kicks in the preseason before the Vikings begin the regular season in September.

Minnesota quarterback Kirk Cousins got back on track this week as he completed 17 of his 28 passes for 182 yards. Cousins targeted Stefon Diggs the most on Friday (eight times) and the Vikings receiver finished the night with four catches for 51 yards.

For the second straight week, Mike Boone led all Minnesota ballcarriers in rushing. Boone, competing for the Vikings’ third running back job this year, finished the game against Seattle with nine carries for 26 yards on the ground.

Boone did also leave Friday’s game with a leg injury, so that is something to keep an eye on.

For the most part, Minnesota’s first-team defense looked impressive against the Seahawks this week. But they did give up 10 points to Seattle’s offensive starters in the first half on Friday, including a 12 play, 75-yard touchdown drive in second quarter.

The Vikings’ starters on both sides of the ball will have to tighten things up during practice until the regular season begins because most of them are likely done playing in the preseason this year.

Minnesota’s backups will take the field next Thursday in the team’s final preseason game of 2018 on the road against the Tennessee Titans at 7 p.m. CT.