12 Instant Reactions to the Vikings Second Preseason Game

Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; The Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders lead the crowd during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings completed Preseason Game No. 2 on Saturday, losing to the New England Patriots, a team that played starters for a couple of drives, unlike Minnesota. The Vikings rested all starters.

We’ve got 12 instant reactions to the Vikings’ second preseason game, breaking down performances, key plays, and early takeaways as the season draws close.

Kevin O’Connell and Co. lost 20-12 after making the game quite interesting late in the 4th Quarter. Next up? The Tennessee Titans on the road to close out the preseason.

Snap Reactions to Vikings’ Loss vs. Patriots

The preseason had a bit of a hiccup this weekend.

Minnesota running back Zavier Scott (36) pushes forward with the ball while facing the New England Patriots defense in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The action unfolded on Aug 16, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during preseason play. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

The Takeaways

1. Brandon Powell was in attendance — as a fan. He showed up to cheer on former teammates, which is sweet, but an Instagram photo displaying his view of the field prompted fans to wonder if he might sign with the Vikings. It wouldn’t be the worst idea.

2. Fifth-Round draft pick Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, a defensive tackle, had a day, pressuring various Patriots quarterbacks and snuffing out a few runs. The guy lives on a crowded DT depth chart at the moment, but he looked the part on Saturday, at least in the preseason.

3. Speaking of Ingram-Dawkins, he worked Garrett Bradbury. It’s a breath of fresh air to be on the other side of this footage.

4. Sam Howell played pitifully in a limited sample, raising eyebrows because he also performed terribly at the start of training camp. For those who believed the Vikings might trade for a different QB2 before the beginning of the regular season, that crowd looked smart during the loss to New England.

5. Kevin O’Connell was mic’d up for the third quarter, like Justin Jefferson last week, and it was must-see television for those obsessed with the purple team. He showed his intensity, football IQ, and a comical potty mouth.

Minnesota kicker Will Reichard (16) sets up for a field goal attempt against the New England Patriots during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The game, held on Aug 16, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, highlighted special teams action in preseason competition. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

6. Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon appears to have been utterly demoted throughout the summer. He seemed lost on the field at times against New England and very visibly played with backup players. Jeff Okudah has won the starting CB3 job. Why? He didn’t play Saturday.

7. Myles Price, a deeply buried reserve WR, might make the 53-man roster. Minnesota needs special teams returners, and he has the juice, nearly taking one to the house.

8. The backup punter, Oscar Chapman, continued to see punting action — and held some kicks as holder for Will Reichard. It’s too early to declare an upset in the making, but fans should brace themselves for Chapman making the roster over Ryan Wright. Holding kicks is quite the clue.

9. On Reichard, he was money on Saturday. Perfect again. Flawless Reichard — unlike the Reichard who returned from a quad injury last year — might be back for a while.

10. Tai Felton fumbled a kick return, later recovered by the Vikings. Otherwise, he performed well against the Patriots as he eyes a WR4 or WR5 role this season.

Minnesota wide receiver Myles Price (31) breaks into a kickoff return with New England Patriots cornerback Jordan Polk (39) giving chase during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The preseason matchup took place on Aug 16, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

FantasyLife‘s Thor Nystrom tweeted, ‘Anything Tai Felton does is a positive sign. Vikings need him to be at least situationally usable this season with the state of WR depth.”

11. Listen, Minnesota should sign another wide receiver. It’s time to quit dinking around. Adding Amari Cooper at an affordable price will hurt absolutely nobody. Tyler Boyd is out there, too. Several decent wideouts will hit the unemployment office on August 26th. The Vikings need one. Jordan Addison is out for three games, Jailen Nailor’s health is habitually shaky, and Rondale Moore is out for the year. Get Odell Beckham Jr. Explore Nelson Agholor. This is a low-risk, high-reward deal. Do it.

Minnesota and New England Patriots face each other at the line of scrimmage during fourth quarter action at U.S. Bank Stadium. The play came in the closing stages of a preseason matchup on Aug 16, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

12. Elijah Williams likely won’t make the 53-man roster because the DT room is stuffed to the gills. Yet, he needs a place on the practice squad if another team doesn’t steal him via the waiver process.

SI.com‘s Will Ragatz tweeted about Williams this week, “I’m very in on Vikings rookie DL Elijah Williams (99). He balled out on Saturday. Former HBCU/FCS star at Morgan State, signed after attending rookie minicamp as a tryout player. Kevin O’Connell said he sits in the front row at every meeting.”

Bonus: Patriots runner Treveyon Henderson will be a Top 5 running back in two years. Book it.

Bonus No. 2: The Vikings’ second-team defense looked great for a series against the Patriots’ starters. That’s telling.