Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the Vikings 1st Preseason Game
The Minnesota Vikings are set to begin their preseason schedule this week, and their first game of this exhibition schedule is versus the Seattle Seahawks.
The Vikings traveled to Seattle yesterday, and they are ready to play some quasi-real football for the first time since their Wild Card loss to the New York Giants back in January. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the Vikings’ first preseason game.
How to Watch
Tonight’s preseason match between the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks kicks off at 9 PM CST. The game will take place at Lumen Field in Seattle. It will be broadcast on FOX, and folks in the Twin Cities can tune into KMSP FOX 9 to watch all the action. This preseason matchup will also be aired on NFL Network.
Seahawks/Vikings History
Sep 26, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws during the third quarter against Seattle Seahawks at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
This preseason contest has no implications standings-wise, but the Seahawks and Vikings have met a total of 19 times over the history of the two franchises, including a playoff game (the Blair Walsh game). Minnesota has won just six times. From 2012-2020, the Vikings had lost seven consecutive matchups. However, they did win the most recent regular-season game between the two teams in 2021, knocking off the Seahawks, 30-17.
Vikings Spotlight Player: QB Jaren Hall
Jaren Hall isn’t necessarily playing for his job this year, seeing as he is very likely to be retained on the roster as QB3. However, a strong showing throughout camp/preseason and during practice this fall could go a long way towards securing his long-term job.
The Vikings fifth-round pick is the first QB to be drafted by Minnesota since Kellen Mond in 2021. That experiment did not go well, with Mond seeming overwhelmed at times when he got onto the field. As a result, he was cut prior to the 2022 season, and it opened up the opportunity for Hall to join the team this spring.
Minnesota could be a team looking to add a “QB of the future” in the draft next spring, considering Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract in 2023. If Hall is able to look the part of an NFL QB tonight and throughout the preseason, that may give the team second thoughts about adding another young quarterback.
Seahawks Spotlight Player: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was the first wide receiver selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, going 20th overall to the Seahawks. He is a very talented player capable of playing in the slot or out on the boundary.
It will be interesting to see how the Seahawks utilize him in tonight’s preseason opener, but one thing is for sure: the Vikings secondary will have their hands full trying to stick with him. This is a great first test for Minnesota’s young cornerbacks.
Additional Links
- Kyle Joudry’s 53-Man Roster Projection
- Josh Frey’s 53-Man Roster Projection
- 5 Vikings to Watch in Preseason Week 1
- 3 Rookies Looking to Earn Expanded Roles
- The Vikings First Unofficial Depth Chart
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.
