The Minnesota Vikings fell in their 10th consecutive preseason game on Saturday with an 18-17 loss versus the Arizona Cardinals.
The loss brings an end to the preseason schedule, and with the conclusion of this exhibition stretch, rosters must be cut down from 90 players to 53 by Tuesday at 3 PM Central. Here are 10 reactions to this Cardinals/Vikings game that could impact the final rosters.
1. Zach McCloud’s Revenge
Zach McCloud has been waiting two weeks to get revenge on his former team. He was a training camp participant for the Vikings last season, but he began this year’s camp with the Tennessee Titans. However, the pass rusher was released by Tennessee prior to last week’s joint practices between the two teams.
McCloud was signed by the Cardinals earlier this week, and the former UDFA showed out in a big way against his former team. He lived in the backfield throughout the afternoon, wreaking havoc and totaling 3 sacks. He was a big reason why Arizona made the comeback victory.
2. More Positive Steps for Jaren Hall
Jaren Hall played the entire game for Minnesota and continued to take positive steps as a passer. He completed 16 of his 27 passes for 178 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. In the first half, he looked very comfortable in the pocket and was a willing runner when plays broke down. While the game ended with 6 sacks, many of them were a result of poor pass protection during the second half of the game.
3. An Improved DeWayne McBride
Rookie RB Dewayne McBride had his best game of the preseason, totaling 8 carries for 37 yards and another touchdown. He seemed to read the running lanes much better in this game than he had in the previous two, so we’ll see if it is enough to keep him on the final 53-man roster.
4. The Tight Ends Continue to Shine
The Vikings have a very difficult decision to make at tight end. While T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, and Johnny Mundt all should make the team, Minnesota may end up keeping a fourth TE around. Nick Muse, Ben Sims, and Colin Thompson did not make that TE4 decision any easier on Saturday. All three players had receptions during the game while Sims could have had a 42-yard grab at the end of the game had Hall not been past the line of scrimmage when he uncorked the throw.
5. Brandon Powell Likely Secured His Roster Spot
WR Brandon Powell has been in the thick of the WR battle for the Vikings all summer, and it appears that his status is safe on the final roster. The veteran did not suit up for the final preseason game, indicating that he may have won the WR5 and punt returning duties for this season.
6. Jay Ward Has a Huge Day
The Minnesota Vikings selected safety Jay Ward in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft because of his ability to do multiple things on a defense. He showcased all of those talents on Saturday by recording 8 tackles, including a strip sack of Clayton Tune, and a pass defense. The defensive back was all over the place throughout the game and could be an immediate contributor for Minnesota.
7. Jaquelin Roy Gets Snaps for the First Time
Defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy has been getting some snaps with the Vikings starters during practice, and he made his first preseason appearance of the season on Saturday. Roy was a disruptor throughout the first half and put together two tackles. With Minneosta’s defensive line battle continuing, the fifth-round pick heads into the regular season on a positive note.
8. Defensive Tackle Dominance
Roy wasn’t the only Vikings defensive lineman to make a positive impact in this game. Ross Blacklock got in on the action with a sack while T.J. Smith had a tackle for loss, and Sheldon Day had two tackles along with a pass defense. Minnesota’s defensive front overwhelmed Arizona’s offensive line during the first half.
9. Offensive Line Depth Remains a Concern
As aforementioned, the Vikings had a very tough time protecting Jaren Hall, particularly in the second half. The positive here is this: as long as everyone stays healthy, Minnesota won’t need many of the players that suited up today. This being said, injuries are a brutal reality in the NFL, so the Vikings are going into the regular season with some big questions in terms of their offensive line depth.
10. Greg Joseph’s Miss
Greg Joseph was clutch throughout the 2022 season for the Vikings, and he came into this final preseason game with a perfect kicking percentage. However, with Minnesota trailing 18-17, he had a chance to give Minnesota the lead late, but he missed the 54-yard field goal attempt. Hopefully, this is just a one-off situation, though it won’t help ease any concern for the kicking position from Vikings fans.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
