3 winners (and 2 losers) for Vikings in preseason win over Eagles

In a game where no one really knew what to expect, the Minnesota Vikings ended their preseason on Saturday in dominating fashion by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles by a final score of 26-3.

Saturday's contest was a final opportunity for several Vikings players to prove that they deserve to remain with the team for the upcoming regular season. Some made the most of their opportunity, while others came up short.

With the 2024 preseason now under wraps, which Minnesota players shined the brightest in the team's final exhibition game of the year, and who had a performance that will likely lead to a departure in the next few days?

Minnesota Vikings Winners and Losers from the Preseason Win over the Philadelphia Eagles

Winner No. 1

Trishton Jackson - WR

During the last few weeks, Trishton Jackson has essentially turned into the preseason version of Cris Carter, as all he's done is catch touchdowns.

Jackson found the end zone once again on Saturday after hauling in an eight-yard pass from Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall in the first quarter. The Minnesota receiver didn't put up amazing numbers in Philadelphia (two catches for 15 yards and a touchdown), but he didn't really need to.

Jackson has likely earned himself a spot on the Vikings' final 53-man roster after putting together an impressive preseason this summer. In three exhibition games this year, he accumulated nine catches for 154 yards (17.1 per reception) and three touchdowns.

Winner No. 2

Jaren Hall - QB

Yes, Jaren Hall did get to play against a bunch of players who are at the bottom of the Eagles' depth chart, but he executed Minnesota's offense at a very high level on Saturday, regardless of who he was facing.

Hall got the start in Philadelphia, and he helped lead the Vikings to points on each of the team's first five offensive possessions of the game. He was accurate, his decision-making was good, and he looked comfortable out on the field. Hall ended the day having completed 68 percent of his passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns.

Winner No. 3

Will Reichard - K

In a draft class that includes J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, Will Reichard might actually turn out to be the best rookie on Minnesota's roster this season.

Reichard has had an outstanding summer, and he capped it off on Saturday by converting all four of his field-goal attempts, including one from 57 yards away, and both of his extra-point tries. It's odd to consider, but the Vikings might actually have a reliable kicker this year (knock on wood).

Loser No. 1

Lewis Cine - S

A week after having the best game of his NFL career, Minnesota safety Lewis Cine came back down to earth on Saturday.

Cine only finished with two tackles against the Eagles, and he also drew two penalties (holding and pass interference) during the contest.

Saturday's game probably wasn't going to have much of an impact on the Vikings' decision to keep Cine on their final 2024 roster or not to begin with, but his performance in Philadelphia certainly didn't help him in any way.

Loser No. 2

Matt Corral - QB

To be fair to Matt Corral, he's only been a member of Minnesota's roster for less than two weeks, so he hasn't had much time to really grasp the team's offensive scheme.

However, nothing from Corral's two preseason appearances this summer is likely going to lead to the Vikings wanting to keep him around for the regular season.

The young quarterback was given more time on the field on Saturday than he was last week, but it didn't really make much of a difference. Corral completed four of his six pass attempts for a grand total of 13 yards during Minnesota's win over Philadelphia and those numbers are not going to be enough to convince the Vikings to even give him a spot on their practice squad.

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