Vikings lose preseason opener but may have a big win

Raiders 26
Vikings 20

The score says the Vikings lost their preseason opener, but I think this game gave them at least one win. 

Few starters played of course. The focus here was on the backup QB battle between Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond.

I'm not sure there's much of a battle anymore. From what I saw in this game, Mond is clearly the guy.

Mannion started, and looked mostly bad for a few series before Mond took over. Mond was much more effective. He threw a couple TDs, made a few other big throws, ran around a little. A few bad throws too, but that's to be expected. 

For the first time really in a year and a half, I'm on board with Mond. You could see it today that he has a lot of talent and that there really is something there that can be developed. The previous coaching staff was either incapabale of or unwilling to tap into that talent. KOC & Co. obviously see it differently.

I'm not saying Mond is on his way to Canton. I'm not even saying Mond is this team's future starter. I'm not interested in that. What I want is the best backup QB for Kirk. That's clearly Mond, whose rookie year was a waste but who can only improve with real reps during the season. Mannion offers you nothing, and if you keep him you have to keep 3 quarterbacks.

Beyond QB, Ty Chandler looked great on a few runs and a.long kick return. Kene Nwangwu ran great as well. Those two make Alexander Mattison obvious trade bait.  Ed Ingram took a step towards becoming a starting guard. The defense didn't look great, but the front looked fast and we did get some sacks.

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