The Minnesota Vikings spent this week at training camp holding joint practices with the New England Patriots. All reports out of those practices stated that the purple and gold looked like the better team in those drills, but they came up on the short side of the scoreboard in Week 2 of the preseason.
The Vikings fell 12-20 to New England on Saturday in an exhibition contest that saw several Patriots starters in action while most of Minnesota's No. 1 units watched from the sidelines of U.S. Bank Stadium.
This preseason loss moves the team to 1-1 with one game remaining in exhibition. The final preseason game will take place on Friday night in Nashville as they face the Tennessee Titans before the regular season opener on Monday Night Football on Sept. 8 against the Chicago Bears.
But before looking too far ahead, let's take a look back at Week 2 of the preseason to see who performed well for the Vikings and who struggled to make a positive impression.
Which Minnesota Vikings players excelled and which ones struggled against the New England Patriots in Week 2 of the preseason?
Vikings winner No. 1: Zavier Scott, running back
By now, it feels even more likely that Zavier Scott will find his way onto the 53-man roster of the Minnesota Vikings. Although his yards per rush weren't impressive at 2.8, he led the team on the ground with 28 rushing yards and added three catches for 44 yards.
Scott's biggest competition for the RB3 job is Ty Chandler, who ran three times for 12 yards and failed to reel in the only pass thrown his way on Saturday. The competition is on, and Scott seems like the favorite to win the job at this point.
Vikings loser No. 1: Sam Howell, quarterback
Remember last week's preseason game where Sam Howell looked like a capable backup quarterback for Minnesota? Well, this week's game was the exact opposite, and it made him look like a major project who has questionable decision-making.
Howell completed one of his five passes for 13 yards and an interception. To put that in perspective, ESPN has his GTG listed as 0.0, which means Minnesota might have done just as well playing without a quarterback in the game.
Vikings winner No. 2: Myles Price, wide receiver
Making the 53-man roster is the major goal for the inexperienced players on the Vikings roster, and wide receiver Myles Price showed his value as a return specialist on Saturday against the New England Patriots.
Price returned one kickoff for 81 yards and handled two punt returns, where he gained 33 yards. The undrafted free agent did have an illegal shift penalty in the third quarter, but overall, he had a good day.
Vikings loser No. 2: Lucky Jackson, wide receiver
If there was a more important time for a wide receiver to step up for the Minnesota Vikings, it is now. The suspension for Jordan Addison and injury to Rondale Moore have the door wide open for a pass-catcher to work their way onto the roster.
Instead, Lucky Jackson struggled to haul in passes. Of the five throws that came his way, he only hauled in one for nine yards. This is a day the young wide receiver would likely want to have a redo for.
Vikings winner No. 3: Will Reichard, kicker
Despite the training camp drama about his struggles, Will Reichard continues to show that he has his act together in the preseason. On Saturday, he was four-for-four on field goal attempts, including a beautiful 54-yard kick.
Fans may have trauma from Minnesota Vikings kickers in the past, but Will Reichard is playing like a kicker who can be relied on, even if the purple and gold were trying out some different holding options during the game.