The National Football League has returned to stadiums and television screens across the country. The Seattle Seahawks opened up preseason play with a win last Saturday over the Kansas City Chiefs, and will now look for another victory versus the Minnesota Vikings.
It will be a short turn around for Pete Carroll and the Hawks, who host the Vikings on Thursday at CenturyLink Field. Thursday’s contest represents a rematch of a divisional-round playoff game from last season where the Seahawks bested the Vikings 10-9. The game was historically cold for the NFL playoffs and was decided on a missed field goal from Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh.
Temperatures won’t be nearly as cold considering it is the middle of August, but the game will present the Seahawks with a good test before the regular season.
Minnesota returns much of the team’s core that made the playoffs last season. Adrian Peterson, Teddy Bridgewater, Stefon Diggs, and Kyle Rudolph are still under contract. What’s more, the Vikings re-signed key contributors Chad Greenway, Terence Newman and Andrew Sendejo while adding the likes Alex Boone, Emmanuel Lamur and Andre Smith in free agency.
Replacing departed players
Seattle has had to replace a number of key pieces, including Russell Okung, J.R. Sweezy, Marshawn Lynch and Bruce Irvin, but the team showed well in the opening win against Kansas City. The first-unit offensive line turned in a quality display when on the field, while pass rusher Cassius Marsh excelled on defense and on special teams. He looks like one of the early favorites to replace Irvin.
The new-look offensive line, Marsh and the rest of the Hawks trying to make an impression will be on full display in the team’s first home game of the season.
Trevone Boykin a name to watch
Seattle’s offensive units will certainly be worth watching on Thursday. Trevone Boykin, one of two candidates in the running to backup Russell Wilson, impressed in Kansas City. The TCU product looked poised and excelled when the team increased the tempo. He also did his best impersonation of Wilson, leading the Hawks on a last-minute drive to win the game.
Overall, Boykin completed 16 for 26 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. He also displayed some elusiveness as a ball carrier, accumulating 21 rushing yards on three carries. Boykin will look to continue his success against the Vikings.
Another player who is looking to continue his run of good form is running back Christine Michael. The former second-round pick looked explosive on Saturday. Another good showing from Michael could be crucial seeing as Seattle will have Thomas Rawls, C.J. Prosise and Alex Collins (among others) in the mix for carries.
In last season’s playoff game, Michael racked up 70 yards on 21 carries while also adding a catch for 14 yards.
Wide receiver Tanner McEvoy, who led Seattle with three catches for 77 yards and a score against Kansas City, is another name to watch.
Start time
Thursday’s game against the Vikings kicks off at 10:00 PM Eastern Time. It is the second of four preseason contests for the Hawks.