Vikings vs. Seahawks: 5 Things To Watch for in the NFL Preseason Week 2 Matchup

The Minnesota Vikings travel to Seattle on Saturday to take on the defending NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks. This will be an interesting matchup, as the Vikings will see a few familiar faces on the field and manning the sideline for the Seahawks.

In free agency, the Seahawks replaced Matt Hasselbeck by signing longtime Vikings backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.

They then proceeded to steal away the Vikings' No. 1 receiving option by signing Sidney Rice to a five-year, $43 million contract. This transaction is probably what gives the Vikings the hardest feelings toward Seattle.

Along with signing these two players, ex-offensive coordinator for Minnesota, Darrell Bevell, is now with the Seahawks as well.

All of these factors make this preseason game intriguing, and here are five things to specifically watch for.

Will Tarvaris Jackson Show the Vikings Why They Should Have Given Him a Chance?

Tarvaris Jackson would have been stupid not to leave Minnesota for Seattle when a starting position was readily available for him. After all, during Jackson's career with Minnesota, the 2006 second-round draft pick never really received a legitimate chance to be a starter for the Vikings.

Having spent five years on the bench, Jackson departed for the Seahawks with new life and promising opportunity. Heading into his first matchup with his old team and having never really felt welcomed by Minnesota fans, Jackson will be playing with something to prove.

Sidney Rice Suits Up for His First Game with His New Team Against His Old Team

Since Sidney Rice sat out of Seattle's first preseason game with a shoulder injury. The game on Saturday against his old team, the Vikings, will be his first time on the field in the new uniform. This will benefit Jackson as well, seeing a familiar face and having another passing target to throw to.

Seeing Rice in Seahawks green and blue is not only going to hurt Minnesota fans, but also probably his old teammates as well. Shortly after Rice was traded to Seattle, Adrian Peterson took to his Twitter account to say, "I CAN’T Believe the Vikings let my boy Sidney Rice get away! I didn’t think we wouldn’t be playing together this year! WOW!"

According to comments made by Rice this week, though, the Vikings left the wide receiver no choice, because they never tried to reach a new deal with him.

Rice told the Pioneer Press on Wednesday, "If you hear from them throughout the rest of the season telling you they are going to be in touch, are going to negotiate and it never happens, you've got to wonder—do they really want me there or not?"

Not feeling the love, Rice made the decision to sign with Seattle, and the Vikings will pay the price.

Cedric Griffin Returns from Two ACL Tears

Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin's return to the playing field on Saturday will be one for the record books. After all, Griffin has torn his ACL in both of his knees in the past two years—an injury that, when experienced once, has ended careers.

Not only is Griffin returning, but he is also expected to be a starter for Minnesota. Griffin will be a great addition to the lineup, as he is a hard worker who is respected and admired by his teammates.

Could Rookie Mistral Raymond End Up as the Starting Safety?

Husain Abdullah is one of the Vikings' starting safeties, but the battle for who will fill the starting safety position opposite Abdullah is still on. The three young safeties vying for the opportunity are Jamarca Sanford, Tyrell Johnson and Mistral Raymond. 

In Week 1 of the preseason, Jamarca Sanford got the start for Minnesota. In Week 2 against Seattle, the Vikings are going to go with Johnson. 

Still, neither player has been overly impressive as of yet, which is why the Vikings may give rookie Mistral Raymond a serious look at the spot this week as well. Raymond has had some good practices and, as a former walk-on at South Florida, knows what it takes to earn a position.

Keep an eye on this position battle.

Who Will Add Depth at the Wide Receiver Position?

The Vikings are still in the process of filling the gap left by Sidney Rice.

With Percy Harvin, Michael Jenkins and Bernard Berrian slated as the starters, Minnesota is currently trying to figure out who will play backup to these three wide receivers this season.

With Harvin out this week, the Vikings will have room to try out some guys in the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 receiving spots against the Seahawks. However, one of the guys they would like to test out, Greg Camarillo, is out with an injury, so they will have to wait on him.

Look for Jaymar Johnson and Devin Aromashodu, who the Vikings acquired in free agency, to get serious shots, with rookies Emmanuel Arceneaux and Stephen Burton to getting looks as well.