1. Shaun Hill is the best backup option available for the Vikings right now.

At times it was a bumpy ride with 36-year-old backup quarterback Shaun Hill piloting the offense in Thursday night's 18-11 win over the Seattle Seahawks. But in completing 10 of his 17 attempts for 129 yards, 32 of which came after a nice throw deep down the middle of the field to tight end Kyle Rudolph, Hill showed he still has a little something left in the tank. Is he good enough for the Vikings to survive losing starter Teddy Bridgewater (who, according to an ESPN report, was held out because of sore shoulder) for more than a few games? Probably not, but only a handful of NFL teams have backups who can keep them afloat for an extended period. But by making smart decisions and seemingly the right read on most plays, Hill showed in Seattle that he can still make a few clutch throws while managing a ball-control offense. He may no longer be a top NFL backup, but is there a better option available?

2. The Vikings need to pick an offensive line soon — if they haven't already.

I'm not faulting coach Mike Zimmer and the Vikings for not rushing their decision about which five guys will start on the offensive line. Bridgewater's development could be stunted by poor pass protection again this season, and the Vikings have struggled to run the ball in both preseason games. Getting the decision right is more important than doing it quickly. But the quintet that started against the Seahawks showed progress, particularly in pass protection, from what we saw in the preseason opener. And that might be because with right guard Brandon Fusco sidelined since Aug. 9, the Vikings have been able to get a little continuity up front, even with the so-called competition at right tackle. And, just maybe, perhaps this group, with John Sullivan at center and Joe Berger at right guard, is their best combination.

3. Minnesota's pass rush is going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2016.

The Vikings' lack of transparency when it came to why Bridgewater did not play in a meaningless preseason game was being questioned — and rightfully so — on Friday. In Seattle, there was some second-guessing when it came to the Seahawks' decision to play Russell Wilson for two full quarters when the Vikings flummoxed the Pro Bowl quarterback and brought him down for four sacks. At least a couple of those sacks were on Wilson, and not his offensive line, because he was running around like a madman. But Zimmer's defense is going to have that effect on people. Defensive end Everson Griffen, who had one of those sacks Thursday, might be the only Viking who reaches double digits in sacks this season. But Zimmer's group should crack the top five in total sacks.

Matt Vensel