5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts – Preseason Week 2
By Chris Schad
Minnesota’s special teams will perform better against the Colts
Relating things back to the battle at guard, the Vikings can’t possibly get worse on special teams. They fired Marwan Maalouf after last season and then “upgraded” the unit by signing better starters in free agency. With Ryan Ficken taking over, Minnesota has to improve on special teams heading into 2021.
And then Saturday happened.
The players that were being relied upon to bolster the special teams floundered in all areas against the Broncos. Kene Nwangwu was expected to get a bulk of the return work, but he injured his knee, leaving the same roulette wheel of underwhelming options to ride out the rest of the game. Mix in Britton Colquitt’s struggles punting plus a 61-yard kickoff return to open the second half and it wasn’t a good day for the special teams unit.
But the Vikings should have a better day against the Colts by default. While Nwangwu isn’t expected to play, other players should get more reps and refine some of their mistakes from the Denver game.