PHILADELPHIA – The Minnesota Vikings have showcased remarkable improvement in ball security during this preseason, a stark contrast to their struggles last season. After finishing last year with 34 turnovers, second-most in the NFL, and a minus-12 turnover differential, the Vikings have clearly made this a focal point under head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Last season, O’Connell’s frustration with the team’s turnover issues was evident, particularly during his postgame speech following a Week 2 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, a moment captured in Netflix’s “Receiver.” This preseason, the Vikings returned to Lincoln Financial Field, where they suffered that four-turnover defeat, and redeemed themselves with a 26-3 victory over the Eagles.
During Saturday’s game, quarterback Jaren Hall’s early interception was nullified by a Cooper DeJean illegal contact penalty, and J.J. McCarthy’s interception in the preseason opener against the Raiders stood as the Vikings’ only turnover in three games. Notably, after losing 15 fumbles last season, the Vikings managed to avoid any in their exhibition matchups.
In his postgame press conference, O’Connell emphasized the team’s progress.
“When your entire roster can carry the ball, catch, and gain yards after the catch with excellent ball security, it shows the effectiveness of our daily drills and focus, especially after last year,” O’Connell said. “These are positives I can highlight with the team.”
While many of the Vikings’ starters played only limited snaps in the preseason, O’Connell believes the discipline shown in these games will carry over into the regular season.
“I’m definitely going to emphasize this in my messaging to the team. We now have concrete examples of playing the way we want to play,” he said. “Even if it wasn’t the starters, those guys were right there alongside the young players who did play and heard the same messages. That’s been the focus in practice as well.”
Carter Shines in Pass Rush
Andre Carter II, who didn’t play in last year’s Thursday night game against the Eagles, returned to Philadelphia on Saturday and made a significant impact, though he noted the difference in competition compared to his college days.
“We weren’t playing Navy, so it’s kind of different,” Carter remarked.
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