Vikings vs. Chargers: Live Game Grades, Player Analysis for Minnesota

The Minnesota Vikings fell to 1-2 in preseason play Friday night after a 12-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers.

San Diego was without its starting left guard, left tackle, and center on the offensive line. Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates and Ryan Mathews also didn't play.

Minnesota's biggest problem throughout the game was its intensity level. The offense never seemed to have much intensity and the defense picked up its game quickly after the first quarter.

It looked like the Vikings read too many of their press clippings from the week that ranted and raved about them as a potential sleeper team in the NFC. After tonight's performance one thing should have been clear to the players that was already clear to the rest of us. And it came from the mouth of KFAN color commentator Pete Bercich:

“This club is not talented enough to come out and play against anybody flat.”

Well said Pete.

Onto the analysis.

Starting Quarterback

While Sage Rosenfels impressed and Joe Webb did his thing, the one man fans truly cared about tonight was Christian Ponder. And he stunk.

Ponder finished the game 9-of-16 for 152 yards with his first interception of the preseason. He failed to throw for a touchdown pass, and his passes weren't as crisp as they were against the Buffalo Bills.

He demonstrated good chemistry with second-year tight end Kyle Rudolph and got Percy Harvin for two receptions and 52 yards.

As all Vikings followers know, if this team is to go anywhere in 2012, it will be because Ponder makes great progress as a passer.

After a strong showing in Week 2 he took a big step back in Week 3.

Average grade for the game: C+

Q4: A

-Sage Rosenfels orchestrated Minnesota's lone touchdown of the evening: a one-yard completion to Matt Asiata. Rosenfels was 6-of-6 for 53 yards on the drive. A quarterback can't do much better than that.

His performance won't move him up or down the depth chart, but it reiterates that he is an intelligent quarterback. He understands the game very well and is a good veteran to have on the roster with two young quarterbacks in need of mentoring.

Q3: C+

-Joe Webb entered the game for the final drive of the third quarter. He had a nice completion to a separated Devin Aromashodu and a floater to Mickey Shuler.

-Christian Ponder nearly orchestrated a drive ... oh wait. That was a drive by Matt Asiata who led the Vikings with 43 yards on that drive. Ponder had a nice completion to Kyle Rudolph in the flats for 18 yards. Those two are continuing to develop a nice repertoire.

Q2: D-

-The second quarter performance outdid his first. Christian Ponder threw his first interception of the preseason. He stared down Percy Harvin the whole way, and San Diego knew where it was going.

He missed many receivers and showed little pocket awareness.

He orchestrated the Vikings on a 17-yard drive to get the team on the board before the half, but besides a 13-yard completion to Michael Jenkins the biggest play of the drive was a defensive holding call.

Ponder needs a nice third quarter drive ending with a touchdown pass to turn this performance around.

Q1: B-

-When Christian Ponder had time, he looked much the way he did against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. His stats aren't on-par with what he did that game (4-of-8 for 33 yards with zero touchdowns and interceptions) but the passes were there.

Percy Harvin dropped a pass that hit him right in the hands and would have put the offense on San Diego's 7-yard line. Michael Jenkins dropped a pass that hit him in the hands on the sideline but was dislodged by a member of San Diego's secondary.

-The first series Christian Ponder didn't have much to work with. He was rushed on second down and center John Sullivan wasn't able to control his defender who got his hands up and battered the ball down. On third down, Ponder completely missed his intended receiver. Receiver Michael Jenkins dove for it, but he had no shot.

Offense

Percy Harvin and Michael Jenkins both had big drops in the first half that would have progressed Minnesota drives. The receiving corps did little to help Christian Ponder. It'll be interesting to watch who steps up without Jerome Simpson for the first three games.

Turnovers killed Minnesota. Ponder had his first interception while Lex Hilliard and Matt Asiata had costly fumbles. Having a -3 in the turnover category is not a recipe for winning games. Three turnovers are inexcusable.

Toby Gerhart had a few nice runs but didn't have many lanes over his six carries. He still looks primed for a big season, regardless of Adrian Peterson's health.

The offensive line looked suspect, allowing five sacks. Those five sacks were allowed by the first team offensive line on the starting quarterback for Week 1. It's not exactly the biggest boost of confidence. This is a game that should remind those who are overly high on Minnesota's offensive line that there is plenty left to prove.

Average grade for the game: C

Q4: A

-Sage Rosenfels, Minnesota's third-string quarterback, led the Vikings to their lone touchdown of the evening: a one-yard pass to Matt Asiata. On that drive Rosenfels passed for 51 yards and the running game contributed an additional 11. Rosenfels isn't a glamorous quarterback, but he understands the game very well.

Don't sleep on Asiata. He could sneak in there and be Minnesota's third or fourth running back if the franchise isn't sold on Adrian Peterson being ready for the season opener.

Q3: C

-Joe Webb brought life to the offense, as he often does when he subs for Christian Ponder, and had nice connections with Mickey Shuler (18 yards) and Devin Aromashodu (11 yards).

-The offense was able to drive all the way to San Diego's 3-yard line. But again the turnover bug struck. Matt Asiata led the Vikings on the drive with 43 yards but fumbled on the 3-yard line, costing Minnesota the chance to tie or take the lead in this contest. Minnesota is -3 at this point in the turnover battle.

Q2: F

Two turnovers. Need I say more?

Well I do. But Christian Ponder's interception (his first of the preseason) was terrible. He stared down Percy Harvin the entire time. The defense had no reason to believe the ball was going anywhere else. It was Ponder's worst play of the preseason.

Lex Hilliard is still slated as Minnesota's third-string running back, but you can't fumble the ball. It's inexcusable.

The offense continued to put up zero points in the second quarter and gained a net total of 40 yards for the quarter on three drives. It was an uninspiring quarter.

Q1: C+

-Other than the final series of the quarter, the offense looked stale and stagnant. It looked flat just like the defense.

When he had holes to run through, Toby Gerhart picked up yardage, but when the offensive line had no openings, Gerhart was stopped right along the line of scrimmage. He finished the quarter with 18 yards on six carries.

Percy Harvin and Michael Jenkins both dropped catchable passes, but Kyle Rudolph provided glimpses of the receiving tight end he could become this season: two receptions for 18 yards.

-On second down of the second series, the Vikings ran a trap play in which Matt Kalil was expected to pick up the left guard's man. Kalil whiffed and the defensive tackle made the play in the backfield on Toby Gerhart. For a man who's received tons of praise throughout training camp and the preseason games it was very disappointing to see. It was only one play, but he didn't even come close.

-The first series was dull, to put it nicely. The offensive line didn't allow quarterback Christian Ponder to have a chance as John Sullivan's man blocked the first pass, nor did it open any holes for Toby Gerhart to run.

Defense

After the defense shook off its rust, the unit came together and had a strong performance. It allowed 12 points, and yes I know it was to a San Diego team without many of its key offensive pieces.

The most impressive part of the game tonight was Jasper Brinkley. A knock on Brinkley during training camp and preseason action was that he looked tentative. He looked very aggressive tonight and that led to him recording two sacks. At this point he's in line to be Minnesota's starting middle linebacker on Sept. 9.

The defense allowed 78 yards on the ground and 128 through the air (although it felt like more at times). The secondary needs work. Plenty of times corners and safeties weren't in position quickly enough to make a play.

Chris Carr and Harrison Smith had trouble in coverage multiple times. That must be fixed, considering Smith will be a starter at safety and Carr will be on the field quite frequently.

Minnesota's starting defensive line looks as strong as ever with Kevin Williams and Fred Evans causing havoc inside and Jared Allen and Brian Robison doing likewise on the outside. Regardless of the health of Letroy Guion, the defensive line will be fine in 2012.

Average grade for the game: B+

Q4: B

-The highlight for me of the fourth quarter was the hit Harrison Smith was charged for a 15-yard penalty on. I couldn't tell you the last time a safety for the Vikings hit an offensive player in that manner. Minnesota has lacked physical, play-making safeties for some time. While his pass-coverage didn't wow me tonight, I'm still excited to watch Smith as a rookie.

-Obviously the letdown of the fourth quarter was when the defense allowed the Chargers to drive 53 yards in nine plays to kick the game-winning field goal. The secondary play was putrid as Jarrett Lee tore the secondary apart.

Q3: A

-The defense continued to excel in this contest holding the Chargers to zero points and 25 yards for the quarter. The starting defense was on the field for the first series but went off for the following series.

-The Brandon Jones pass interference call was an incorrect call. It looked like great coverage by Jones, and the Chargers should have been forced to punt on that series. Luckily for Minnesota the defense got its act together before too many yards were gained on that series.

Q2: A-

The defense flew around the field during the second quarter. The offense put the unit in a tough spot twice with the two turnovers, which only cost the Vikings three points. Both turnovers put the Chargers in Minnesota territory, but the defense held strong.

The reason for the "A-" grade rather than an "A" was that the secondary had a few too many open receivers at different times during the quarter. Chris Carr continued to look uncomfortable and with Josh Robinson leaving the game with concussion-like symptoms the secondary hasn't impressed. (I am aware that Mistral Raymond isn't playing tonight).

Fans must also keep in mind that this first-unit defense was still against backups at left tackle, left guard, center, quarterback, running back and tight end.

Strong play is strong play, but the defense won't go against the second-string come Sept. 9.

Q1: C

-The defense went against a San Diego unit that featured its backup left tackle, left guard and center. Quarterback Phillip Rivers, running back Ryan Mathews and tight end Antonio Gates were all out. Yet the Vikings allowed the San Diego offense to put together a 14-play drive for a field goal.

The secondary looked shaky at best as Chris Carr underwhelmed. If he continues to play this way then he could be Minnesota's fourth cornerback behind Chris Cook, Antoine Winfield and Josh Robinson.

Jared Allen recorded a sack, but don't read too much into it. Allen went against a seventh-round pick from the 2012 NFL Draft and quarterback Charlie Whitehurst was already falling down. Allen just put on the finishing touches.

-San Diego's drive that ended in a field goal took 14 plays. It was a drive filled with missed tackles by Chad Greenway and Jamarca Sanford and a costly penalty by Chris Carr.

It was a flat performance from the defense. Charlie Whitehurst's 13-yard scramble was uninspiring. Yes the defensive line missed its chance at a sack, but the linebackers needed to shed their opponents quicker and reduce the length of that run.

-Fred Evans had a nice sack of San Diego quarterback Charlie Whitehurst. Whitehurst is San Diego's backup quarterback but Evans getting through nonetheless was pleasant for the Vikings to see with the uncertainty of Letroy Guion for the season opener (Vikings insist Guion will be healthy for Week 1 of 2012).

Special Teams

This was a phenomenal game for Chris Kluwe. He booted five punts for a combined 252 yards (50.4 yards per punt). For a point of reference, San Francisco punter Andy Lee led the NFL in average yards per punt in 2011 at 50.9.

Blair Walsh missed a 45-yard field goal, but at least it wasn't because of a lack of power. The ball had enough muscle behind it, but was just wide left. The knock on Walsh entering the preseason was that he lacked accuracy but possessed the leg to hit any kick necessary. It was a kick he should have made, but Minnesota knew there would be misses like that when it cut Ryan Longwell.

The reason Minnesota cut Longwell was because of Walsh's leg. And that leg has been on display throughout preseason including Friday night. The Chargers were able to return only one of his three kickoffs. The other two were touchbacks. Minnesota will be very happy with that.

There hasn't been much to take away from returns. Percy Harvin will be the man on kickoff returns, but the punt return gig is wide open.

Average grade for the game: A-

Q4: A

-Chris Kluwe continued to have a strong evening with his 51-yard punt. The Vikings were very comfortable with their punting situation entering 2012 and that shouldn't change.

-Blair Walsh nailed his one extra point of the quarter and gave the Vikings the lead.

Q3: N/A

-There were two special teams plays for Minnesota: a fair-caught punt and a five-yard punt return. There wasn't much to assess here.

Q2: A-

-Chris Kluwe booted two punts of over 50 yards, including one that pinned the San Diego Chargers inside of their own 10-yard line. Fans and coaches have to pleased with his performance thus far tonight.

-Jarius Wright had two impressive punt returns. Or should I say one impressive return and a good acting job. Wright sold San Diego linebacker Melvin Ingram that he was going to field the punt, despite the ball carrying well over his head, and baited Ingram into hitting him. The hit cost the Chargers 15 yards and gave Minnesota better field position.

-Blair Walsh went 1-of-2 on field goals for the quarter. He missed left on the first play of the second quarter on a 45-yard field goal. He drilled a 29-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in the half (after San Diego coach Norv Turner appeared to attempt to ice the rookie from Georgia).

Walsh also put his lone kickoff nine yards deep in the end zone. Kickoffs were a major reason why the Vikings released Ryan Longwell in favor of Walsh.

Q1: B+

-Not too much to critique from the first quarter.

Chris Kluwe punted twice. His first punt went for 45 yards and the second for 52. You can't be too critical of those types of punts.

Marcus Sherels' first return was pretty standard but his second return opened some eyes. He made a San Diego defender miss and returned it for 29 yards.

Coaching

The coaching staff must do a better job preparing its players for the games. The first quarter was an absolute embarrassment for Minnesota. No one looked ready to go.

And that's on the coaches. I think the players read a few too many of the positive clips after the Buffalo Bills game and with the Chargers resting many of their top players they thought this would be a cake walk.

Wrong.

The Vikings aren't talented enough to take ANY opponent lightly.

Fans can take solace in that the team looked better in the second half than the first, but it shouldn't have taken so long to get going. This should have been an exciting game to be part of for the players.

This was the first game the starters played an entire half and then some. They should have been psyched for the opportunity for extended playing time.

Average grade for the game: C+

Q4: B+

-Outside of the final defensive series, the defense continued its stellar play. The secondary was gutted on that last series though and the coaching staff had no answer for Jarrett Lee. Not even Audie Cole could stop him.

-The offense showed its one good series of the game from start to finish with Sage Rosenfels in. I thought it was interesting that on a series dominated by Jordan Todman and Derrick Coleman in the backfield, that the coaching staff opted to put Matt Asiata in for the crucial third down play on San Diego's 1-yard line. To me that means the coaching staff had no faith in Coleman or Todman.

Q3: B+

-Outside of the fumble at the 3-yard line, the Vikings had a strong quarter. The team appeared to have its edge back for the third quarter as the starters departed the field.

The defense continued to look strong, which is a good sign given the unit Minnesota battled against.

Q2: C+

The defense looked MUCH better in the second quarter relative to the first quarter. Players flew around the field and looked like they knew what they were doing (some secondary lapses excluded).

People still need to remember that this is against mostly second-stringers for the Chargers. But it appeared that necessary adjustments had been made (for the most part).

The offense continued to struggle and showed a little bit of life at the end of the half after it was setup with good field position off of a Jarius Wright punt return.

Overall, everyone looked like they had put the first quarter behind them and were ready to move on.

Q1: D+

-The team just looked flat. The offense came out and played uninspiring football. The defense played uninspired football. The team didn't look ready and that goes on the coaching staff. The team probably thought this game would be a sure-thing with so many of San Diego's starters out. But that can't be an excuse to come out flat. Frazier and company need to make sure their players are ready.