MN Vikings v Ravens: Preseason Lessons

Minneapolis, 8.22.26- 

The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up their second preseason game of 2026 with a 13–3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but the night was far more about evaluation than the scoreboard. With starters resting after intense joint practices, Head Coach Kevin O’Connell used the matchup to test depth, resilience, and young talent, and Minnesota delivered plenty of storylines worth watching.

Baltimore controlled the scoring, but Minnesota quietly won the efficiency battle, outgaining the Ravens 299 to 242 total yards and posting 5.2 yards per play to Baltimore’s 4.3 . The issue wasn’t movement, it was finishing drives. The Vikings generated six scoring opportunities but converted only one, a preseason reminder that execution in the red zone is everything.

J.J. McCarthy: Moments of Magic, Moments of Learning

Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy played only the first quarter, but he packed a full storyline into those snaps. His opening series started deep in Minnesota territory after a special teams penalty, and early miscues- a high throw, a false start, put the Vikings in a hole. But McCarthy responded with poise, delivering back‑to‑back completions to Tai Felton and Myles Price to move the chains .

The highlight of the night came on his second drive: McCarthy navigated pressure, stepped up, and launched a 50‑yard dime to Felton, a pure “¡vámonos!” moment that electrified the sideline. He followed with a smart checkdown to Demond Claiborne, pushing Minnesota to the Baltimore 3‑yard line. But the drive stalled- a dropped pass, a stuffed run, and a missed fourth‑down throw.

McCarthy finished 5‑of‑10 for 81 yards with a 77.5 passer rating . Not perfect, but promising. As O’Connell said postgame:

“J.J. showed toughness and growth. He made big‑time throws, and we’ll keep building on the details.”

What Needs Work

The Vikings struggled in key areas:

• Red‑zone finishing: 0‑for‑1 inside the 20.
• Third‑down conversions: 5‑of‑14, leaving drives on the table.
• Penalties: Nine flags for 73 yards — demasiado.

These are fixable, and O’Connell emphasized that preseason is about reps, not results.

Next Up: Preseason Finale & Roster Decisions

Minnesota heads into its final preseason game with momentum in evaluation. Expect McCarthy to get more controlled reps, Claiborne to push for RB snaps, and receivers like Felton and Price to battle for depth chart positioning.

The next week will be all about roster cuts, role clarity, and sharpening execution before Week 1.

La lucha sigue, Vikings fans. Purple is building something.