Instant reaction: McCarthy plays one series, Vikings outplay Texans

The Vikings beat the Texans in their preseason debut

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By Matthew Coller

MINNEAPOLIS — When was the last preseason game that had this much anticipation? Well, it’s hard to say that the game lived up to the hype considered JJ McCarthy didn’t play much. However, there was a lot of takeaways. Let’s look at how it played out and the winners/concerns from the game…

FIRST QUARTER

The game opened up in the type of fashion that might keep Kevin O’Connell awake at night: With a bouncing ball kick to Tai Felton that was set back by a holding penalty.

Starting in the shadow of his own end zone, JJ McCarthy’s first throw of the day came on a play-action rollout to his left. He delivered a throw that was behind his target Jordan Addison for a 6-yard completion. Off we go. He followed up with another completion to Addison in which he had a solid pocket, particularly over the left guard, rookie Donovan Jackson.

McCarthy’s next throw was also from a clean pocket. It was a shade off line to Addison but the receiver made a diving reception for 18 more yards. Let that be a lesson to McCarthy: With these weapons, it doesn’t have to be perfect.

Jordan Mason mixed in several impressive runs that look similar to what he’s done in training camp. He set up second-and-2 with an 8-yard run featuring a slick cut.

After a failed play-action pass that went backward to CJ Ham, McCarthy overthrew his intended target downfield to set up fourth down. It looked like he had Lucky Jackson open. However, O’Connell decided to go for fourth down and McCarthy used his legs to scramble for a first down. His playmaking mentality with his legs could play a big role for him this year.

The Texans batted down a McCarthy screen and then he tried to make a play out of structure and threw high to Mason incomplete.

Will Reichard booted home a field goal as O’Connell and McCarthy had a conversation on the sideline.

Turns out that was it for McCarthy.

If we’re grading McCarthy’s opening drive of the preseason — because that’s kinda where we’re at with McCarthy Watch — a B- would probably be fair. He got the ball out quickly and made good decisions, including the scramble but wasn’t super sharp with his accuracy.

The decision to play him only one series is interesting. That’s exactly how they handled Sam Darnold last year and Kirk Cousins in 2023. That seems like a positive thing for McCarthy’s progress. If O’Connell was concerned, then he would have played him much more.

On the defensive side…

Here was the starting lineup:

DL: Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Redmond and Ty Ingram-Dawkins

OLB: Dallas Turner and Gabe Murphy

LB: Ivan Pace Jr. and Eric Wilson

CB: Isaiah Rodgers, Okudah

S: Jay Ward and Theo Jackson

Bo Richter also worked in along with Tyler Batty, Jonathan Harris and Taki Tiamani.

The Texans started off hot offensively. They ripped off several successful runs before Davis Mills completed an 18-yard pass to bring Houston into the red zone. Mills overthrew a potential touchdown pass but followed up with a play-action touchdown pass to Braxton Berrios. Not exactly the start they were looking for, though we didn’t see any Brian Flores trickery, just straight up base defense.

Onto the field came Sam Howell — a man needing a good start.

Howell opened his series by throwing to Tai Felton for a completion. Ty Chandler, the first RB off the bench, caught a screen pass and picked up 10 yards. Chandler hasn’t exactly gotten rave reviews from KOC, particularly when it comes to his blocking, but he always has juice with the ball in his hands.

Howell fumbled a snap from Michael Jurgens. That’s become an issue in practice as well. The Vikings could be looking for a backup center if they are not confident in Jurgens.

SECOND QUARTER

Howell looked more comfortable after that, completing a 10-yard pass to Jalen Nailor and 4-yard throw to Lucky Jackson. Reichard kicked in another field goal to cut the score to 7-6.

Other notable second teamers on the field:

— Walter Rouse and Blake Brandel were the tackles. Logan Brown did not get the nod.

— Joe Huber and Henry Byrd were the guards

— Lucky Jackson, Jalen Nailor, Tai Felton

— The tight ends were all mixing and matching

The Vikings defense got back to its usual self in its second attempt. Second-year edge rusher Gabriel Murphy ripped around the edge for a sack.

On the first punt return attempt for Rondale Moore, the speedster attempted to get to the edge but was dragged down awkwardly. He had to be carted off. It was a terrible break for Moore, who was coming back from a terrible leg injury suffered last year during training camp.

On Howell’s second drive, WR Thayer Thomas and Jeshaun Jones got into the mix. Following a blown-up bootleg, QB2 completed a third down pass to Felton for a first down. We got our first Zavier Scott sighting. He’s put together a solid camp thus far.

Howell completed a tight-window throw to Jackson over the middle for another first down, this time to Lucky Jackson, who has been getting a ton of work with Justin Jefferson sidelined.

Then Jackson made a tremendous catch, leaping over a defender. Few players have made more of an impression during camp than him.

Howell continued to roll with a pass to the right sideline to Jeshaun Jones for 20 yards.

Scott got back-to-back handoffs and picked up seven yards and five yards and then got a first down on a screen pass where he grinded for the final couple yards. KOC kept going with Scott on another run for nine yards. Howell finished the drive with a QB sneak for a touchdown to put the Vikings ahead.

With just over three minutes remaining, the Texans got the ball back. They put in Kedon Slovis at quarterback. He completed a nice slant pass against an all-out Vikings blitz. But the Vikings pass rush got to him shortly after that with Gabe Murphy and Jalen Redmond pressure.

Silas Bolden came in to return the punt. He may be the next man up with Moore injured.

THIRD QUARTER

Houston opened the second half against a good portion of the second-team defense, including Levi Drake Rodriguez and Jalen Redmond. Brian Asamoah knifed into the backfield to make a TFL to start the half. UDFAs Tyler Batty and Chaz Chambliss also mixed in.

Slovis remained at QB for the Texans. He converted a third down on a throw to Berrios in front of Dwight McGlothern. It’s been interesting to see Zemaiah Vaughn looking like he’s ahead on the depth chart. Mekhi Blackmon was still in to start the third quarter as well. Blackmon was in coverage on another Berrios reception for a first down.

Brett Rypien took over to start the third and Zavier Scott jumped right back into action, ripping off a 12-yard run.

Rypien completed a throw over the middle for a first down and then he nearly had the play of the day. His over-the-shoulder deep shot to Jeshaun Jones almost turned into a 50-yard play but the ball bounced off Jones’s fingertips. It was a very good throw though.

With four minutes left in the third, Elijah Williams created a pressure. He is an intriguing player, signed after he stood out in the HBCU bowl game. Williams was highly productive at Morgan State. Getting work and a little production before the fourth quarter is a good sign for him.

Bolden got his second punt return opportunity. His attempt to out-dance the Texans did not work out and he only gained a few yards. There is a question now with Moore out whether they would lean on a rookie returner or if the Vikings will have to go find someone in free agency/trade. Brandon Powell?

Late in the third quarter, Scott continued to roll with a seven-yard run. Interestingly, Tai Felton was still in the game as he continues to develop.

FOURTH QUARTER

Former Badger Graham Mertz entered the game for the Texans. He went three-and-out on his first dive as the third-teamers came in defensively

Rypien remained in the game for the Vikings.

Tre Stewart came into the game in the backfield. Tim Jones, Jeshaun Jones, Tai Felton and Thayer Thomas continued to play receiver.

Rypien had an ugly throw to Jones dropped and then overthrew Thomas for a three-and-out.

Oscar Chapman came in for his first punt of the preseason. He boomed the ball 52 yards and then Felton made a great tackle to strip the ball from the returner.

The defense forced the first turnover of the day on the first play of the following drive. Mertz threw the ball right into the hands of cornerback Ambry Thomas.

Max Brosmer took over at quarterback for the Vikings. Donate Fleming, Silas Bolden and Myles Price entered as his receivers. Bryson Nesbit in at tight end.

Brosmer completed a 7-yard pass to Nesbit and then nearly had the ball picked off when he threw into traffic toward Bolden. But he was roughed by the Texans after the throw, giving the Vikings a first down.

From the sideline, O’Connell signaled to his QB to calm down after a high throw. His next throw was a solid, accurate completion over the middle to UDFA Myles Price.

Backup center Zeke Correll went down in the red zone and had to be carted off.

Brosmer then threw hot off a Texans blitz and Dontae Fleming caught it for a touchdown. After review, it was taken off the board but Brosmer drilled a pass to Myles Price for a TD on fourth down to put the Vikings up 20-10.

Mertz continued his struggles with an airmailed INT to Kahlef Hailassie.

Unfortunately for Brosmer, he didn’t get a follow-up chance right away from his TD because of a botched snap.

Mertz came back out and threw another interception, this time on a tipped ball to Hailassie.

Brosmer’s comfortable performance continued as he hit Bolden on a throw over the middle. He dropped the pass but it was an excellent throw. His next throw was complete to Fleming on a jump ball.

Brosmer then kneeled down to end the game 20-10.

Winners