Minnesota Vikings @ Philadelpia Eagles
Final Score: MIN 26 – PHI 3
Writer: Raymi Chavez
Minnesota dominated this game and did so right from the start holding possession for over 20 minutes in the first half, taking a 20-3 lead into the locker rooms. Three Eagles turnovers aided in that domination and as the third and fourth-teamers came in the game slowed into a stalemate.
Three Up
- Jaren Hall – Nick Mullens seems to be the presumed QB2 in Minnesota, but as someone who has drafted Justin Jefferson in multiple leagues I think I would feel a lot more comfortable with Jaren Hall taking over for an injured or just bad Same Darnold. Hall looked very comfortable and in control of the offense, handling audibles and running the offense with ease. Giving me “Josh Dobbs Lite” vibes, whether or not thats a compliment is up for debate.
- Myles Gaskin – Great cuts, fantastic running, taking all the gaps his line and the defense gave him. He consistently gashed the Eagles defense in the first half and was part of a dominant first half offense for Minnesota.
- Tyrion Davis-Price – Davis-Price was absolutely fed touches this game, which was par for the course for the Eagles throughout the preseason, he did really well to keep running through contact and gained extra yards all over the place with his never give up attitude, although it did yield his fumble on the day fighting for extra yards.
Two Down
- Lew Nichols – The first running back to get touches after Davis-Price and he did nothing, but lose yards and when given the ball on a 4th-and-1 early he stumbled and fell short after the O-Line parted the seas for him. Didn’t see the field again.
- Joseph Ngata – Saw a couple of early targets bounce off his hands and didn’t sniff a target after that, disappointing results for him.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Jaren Hall: 17/25, 189 Yards, 2 TD | 2 Carries, 11 Yards
Hall looked comfortable and in command of the offense.
Notes
- Was really in control, moved the team down the field with ease. Was finding and targeting the open man consistently, even had two picture perfect throws that should have been TDs end up as incompletes because the receiver couldn’t get two feet down.
Missed Opportunities
- Had an early interception negated by penalty due to him overthrowing his target, which was common for him on the day. Even though he was consistently finding the right targets he was also consistently throwing high or long. Rarely bad enough that it would lead to incompletions, but noticeable enough that if there was proper coverage it could lead to a lot more incompletions or even turnovers with some bad luck.
Matt Corral: 4/6, 13 Yards | 3 Carries, -3 Yards
Running Back
Myles Gaskin: 13 Carries, 61 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 6 Yards
Solid day on the ground, took what he was given.
Notes
- Did well to hit the holes made by the O-Line, had some good blocks and was reliable as a check down receiver, looked the part as a solid RB3 for Minnesota and if Aaron Jones were to go down I would expect the backfield to become a committee with Chandler and Gaskin.
Missed Opportunities
- Didn’t make a lot happen, a lot of his yards were just the yards you’d expect to gain.
DeWayne McBride: 11 Carries, 34 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 27 Yards
Explosive, high energy, A couple big plays.
Notes
- McBride came on and was immediately noticeable, taking a blown up screen pass and turning it into a chunk play.
Missed Opportunities
- A lot of short gains that didn’t really lead to much, running against the third and fourth stringers.
Mohamed Ibrahim: 4 Carries, 16 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Lucky Jackson: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 53 Yards
An up and down day for Lucky.
Notes
- Made a spectacular David Tyree-esque catch on the sideline in the first half and had a solid day otherwise pulling in targets.
Missed Opportunities
- Could have had two TDs if he could just drag his back foot, twice Hall threw him perfect balls in the one exact spot it needed to be in and he made the catch, but failed to drag his back foot. This isn’t college anymore, Lucky.
N’Keal Harry: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 38 Yards
A very whelming day for N’Keal.
Notes
- Had a couple solid chunk plays, one on a blown coverage however.
Missed Opportunities
- On that blown coverage reception on 2nd & 15 he sort of casually ran out of bounds to stop the clock since it was the two minute drill, but he did so a yard shy of the first down and very easily could have made an effort to get the first down. I know its preseason, but these are the little things that will get you snaps, was mostly invisible beyond this play as well.
Justin Hall: 5 Targets, 2 Receptions, 24 Yards, TD
Was getting opened, was just being missed.
Notes
- Jaren Hall just flat out missed him either do to being hit as he threw or feeling the rush and then just flat out missing him. Was finding himself open and being targeted consistently in the first half though.
Trent Sherfield Sr.: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 20 Yards
Jeshaun Jones: 7 Targets, 4 Receptions, 19 Yards
Trishton Jackson: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards, TD
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett: 6/9, 58 Yards | 1 Carry, 4 Yards
Had his best drive of the preseason.
Notes
- Had one really solid drive, that stumbled into a turnover on downs when Nichols lost his footing. Easily his best of the preseason. Had some really solid throws in clean pockets.
Missed Opportunities
- Just still looked a little bit lost out there, doesn’t seem to be able to make good throws when the pocket isn’t totally clean.
Tanner McKee: 13/21, 115 Yards, 1 INT | 1 Carry, 5 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Underwhelming game from him tonight.
Notes
- Made a solid play on his feet and had a couple solid dropbacks where he extended the play himself. Looks confident just not as talented. Made a couple really nice intermediate throws into tight windows.
Missed Opportunities
- Fumbled on his first snap of the game, he badly missed a handful of pass attempts, often well behind his target.
Will Grier: 4/6, 16 Yards, 0 Carries, 0 Yards
Running Back
Tyrion Davis-Price: 12 Carries, 56 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Was noticeable all game
Notes
- Strong running that gained him a couple of extra yards quite often, even turning a three or four yard gain into a first down in the first quarter.
Missed Opportunities
- Fumbled the ball a couple snaps later trying to do the same, fighting for every inch is great, but you have to hold onto the ball first.
Lew Nichols: 4 Carries, -3 Yards | 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 17 Yards
Poor showing.
Notes
- Did well as a pass catcher out of the backfield, real quick and explosive.
Missed Opportunities
- Just absolutely struggled on the ground, First series he got an opportunity had him get three straight runs turning a 2nd & 1 into a turnover on downs.
Kendall Milton: 4 Carries, 8 Yards | 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 8 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Parris Campbell: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 34 Yards
Disappointed.
Notes
- Probably the most impacted by the trade of Johan Dotson you hoped he’d come out and try to showcase himself as someone who maybe should have been given a shot to be the WR3, he didn’t have a bad game, just needed to have a bettter one.
Ainias Smith: 9 Targets, 6 Receptions, 36 Yards
Griffin Hebert: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 48 Yards
Armani Rogers: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 24 Yards
E.J. Jenkins: 5 Targets, 3 Receptions, 15 Yards
Joseph Ngata: 2 Targets
Kevin Foelsch: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Austin Watkins Jr.: 1 Target