{"id":184958,"date":"2024-08-13T15:00:07","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T19:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=184958"},"modified":"2024-08-12T11:02:58","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T15:02:58","slug":"winners-and-losers-from-vikings-first-preseason-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/08\/13\/winners-and-losers-from-vikings-first-preseason-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Winners and Losers from Vikings First Preseason Game"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On Saturday night, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/vikings\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Vikings<\/a> won a preseason game for the first time under Kevin O\u2019Connell and first since 2019. This was as anticipated as a preseason game can get for Vikings fans as they saw the debut of <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4433970\/jj-mccarthy\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">J.J. McCarthy<\/a>, among many other fresh faces donning the purple and gold.<\/p>\n<h2>Winner J.J. McCarthy\/Sam Darnold<\/h2>\n<p>McCarthy and veteran <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3912547\/sam-darnold\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Darnold<\/a> had more than enough bright spots Saturday to be happy with where they\u2019re at at this point of training camp. Darnold only played one drive, leading the offense right down the field with a few anticipatory passes to Jailon Nailor, who also played well in the absence of Justin Jefferson.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">oh no not again <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9DQXGOeJNm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/9DQXGOeJNm<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Nate_Tice\/status\/1822718260204470545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>McCarthy received much more of the workload after the sole Darnold drive, and it started as poorly as you could\u2019ve drawn it up with an interception on the first drive of his career. While the interception was rough, the way McCarthy responded was as promising as any singular play he made. He stayed aggressive all game with two big touchdown passes and multiple chunk gains while facing heavy pressure. He looked mobile, accurate and threw with anticipation. If Darnold plays the way he did in his drive throughout a good portion of the season, odds are McCarthy won\u2019t play, which is probably a good thing since McCarthy isn\u2019t all the way there yet. It wasn\u2019t perfect, but enough to get fans excited for the future.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">can see the positives of JJ McCarthy&#39;s college game translating on his very first attempt and completion. Calm pocket movement and willingness to stand in there, progress on a right-to-left read and fire.<\/p>\n<p>ideally he would get there even quicker, but that comes with more reps. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/R2A426DCL9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/R2A426DCL9<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3tP0sYatC3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/3tP0sYatC3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Nate_Tice\/status\/1822721206635937871?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Loser- Jaren Hall<\/h3>\n<p>Giving <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4373632\/jaren-hall\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaren Hall<\/a> the loser title may be a little harsh, but it doesn\u2019t have a ton to do with how he played- which to be fair wasn\u2019t amazing. But with McCarthy playing as well as he did, and Nick Mullens having a backup job practically set in stone, Hall seems like the odd man out. Going a pedestrian 7\/16 for 63 yards, Hall had multiple passes tipped and the offense stalled out once he came in. He did lead the game-winning drive, so that\u2019ll buy him a little time, but he needs to be better in the next two preseason games.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Fantasy Football Preview  NFC North\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/g9kuRwznPuA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Winner- Bo Richter<\/h3>\n<p>The undrafted rookie from Air Force wrecked the game once he came in. Only playing 20 snaps, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4875564\/bo-richter\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bo Richter<\/a> totaled 6 tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss. The Vikings need depth all along the defensive line and finding a rotational backup as a UDFA would be huge. Don\u2019t be surprised if Richter makes the 53-man roster when it\u2019s all said and done.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Bo Richter only played 20 snaps yesterday<\/p>\n<p>-6 Tackles<br \/>-1 Sack<br \/>-2 TFL<\/p>\n<p>&quot;Can unlock and close in a blink&#8230; linear twitch and relentless motor will earn him long looks in camp, potentially as a special-teams ace.&quot; -D.Brugler<\/p>\n<p>-1st Team All-MWC<br \/>-Led MWC in TFL (19.5)<br \/>-4.56 40\/40&quot; VJ <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DBpTIJXJqc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/DBpTIJXJqc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Luke Inman (@Luke_Spinman) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Luke_Spinman\/status\/1822610745156079896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Loser- Ed Ingram<\/h3>\n<p>Saturday\u2019s game was the story of almost every game <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4242227\/ed-ingram\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ed Ingram<\/a> has played. Mauling in the run game, and struggling in the pass game. PFF graded him a 64.6 run-blocking grade (above average) and a 17.1 pass-blocking grade (awful) allowing 2 pressures on two drives. Another thing to take note of was that he stayed in the game when Darnold and some other starters came out. While his job isn\u2019t exactly in jeopardy, he still needs some reps under his belt to become a more complete player.<\/p>\n<p>https:\/\/twitter.com\/LukeBraunNFL\/status\/1822470162530070529<\/p>\n<h3>Winner- Trishton Jackson\/Kene Nwangwu\/Trent Sherfield Sr.<\/h3>\n<p>These three were lumped together because they were responsible for two different touchdowns. First, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4046715\/trishton-jackson\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trishton Jackson<\/a> caught a beautiful go ball from McCarthy after burning the corner on him and making an uncontested touchdown catch. Jackson has received tons of praise from the coaching staff and will play a decent-sized role in 2024.<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/4035537\/kene-nwangwu\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kene Nwangwu<\/a> sprung a 48-yard touchdown completely untouched, which wouldn\u2019t have happened without a great block from the notoriously great blocker <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/3122168\/trent-sherfield-sr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trent Sherfield Sr.<\/a> If Nwangwu wants a role in the offense, plays like this need to happen more consistently, his game-breaking speed could help a lot.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">HOUSE CALL! <\/p>\n<p>Kene Nwangwu goes 48 yards for the <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Vikings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Vikings<\/a> TD!<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udcfa: <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LVvsMIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#LVvsMIN<\/a> on <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nflnetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFLNetwork<\/a><br \/>\ud83d\udcf1: Stream on <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NFLPlus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NFLPlus<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/4rloO6OlLM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/4rloO6OlLM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NFL (@NFL) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL\/status\/1822376567580094639?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Along with the much anticipated debut of J.J. McCarthy, many other Vikings splashed and left much to be desired on Saturday&#8217;s preseason game.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4979,"featured_media":184264,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,26],"tags":[9077,32358,9813,8117,1535],"class_list":["post-184958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","category-vikings","tag-ed-ingram","tag-j-j-mccarthy","tag-jaren-hall","tag-kene-nwangwu","tag-sam-darnold"],"modified_by":"Mike Kashuba","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4979"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=184958"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/184958\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/184264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=184958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=184958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=184958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}