(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Are preseason struggles a sign of things to come for Vikings offense?
Three points out of 12 drives. Ten punted possessions. The Vikings starting offense didn't exactly get off to a hot start in its first three preseason games.
August 31, 2017 at 1:22PM
Three points out of 12 drives. Ten punted possessions. The Vikings starting offense didn't exactly get off to a hot start. But then again, they haven't really started with less than two weeks before the New Orleans Saints come to U.S. Bank Stadium.
So how much are the preseason struggles a sign of things to come? Ben Goessling, Chip Scoggins and I discussed on our latest Access Vikings podcast, among many other Vikings topics. You can also find us on iTunes and Google Play.
While you're here, we've got the full rundown on the starting offense's preseason. That's assuming Mike Zimmer doesn't play any starters Thursday night against the Dolphins.
"After the other night I feel like they should play," Zimmer said. "But we'll see."
Quarterback Sam Bradford, running back Dalvin Cook and the Vikings gained 286 yards and 17 first downs. The few bright spots on offense included Cook's immediate impact as a versatile threat. The rookie gained 4.1 yards per carry and 35 receiving yards on six catches. There were no turnovers. Bradford also sparked the Vikings in seldom spurts, but struggled to finish on the field goal drive in Seattle and when the clock expired in the red zone vs. San Francisco.
There were mental errors mixed in with what could be continued limitations, such as pass protection. Receiver Stefon Diggs, expected to string together a healthy and productive 2017, dropped two passes vs. the 49ers. They were flagged twice in the red zone to stall the 76-yard drive in Seattle. Overall, they continued to struggle to break the big play. Below are the full drive stats for the starters:
at BUF
6 plays, 14 yards, 1 first down, punt
3 plays, 4 yards, punt
4 plays, 6 yards, punt
at SEA
11 plays, 76 yards, 4 first downs, FG
6 plays, 34 yards, 2 first downs, punt
4 plays, 13 yards, 1 first down, punt
vs. SF
3 plays, 7 yards, punt
7 plays, 17 yards, 2 first downs, punt
5 plays, 12 yards, 1 first down, punt
7 plays, 21 yards, 2 first downs, punt
6 plays, 25 yards, 1 first down, punt
4 plays, 57 yards, 3 first downs, end of half
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.