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Every NFL team uses the third preseason game as its dress rehearsal for the regular season, and the Minnesota Vikings prepared as such this week for Friday's home game against the San Diego Chargers.
"It's an important week, the fact that we're treating it like a game situation, like we would during the season, an in-game regular-season game in a lot of ways for our preparation," Minnesota coach Leslie Frazier said. "Not that we'll put an extensive amount of game plan into this, but it's been good. It's been real good for our players. Of course we've got a lot of guys fighting for our positions. The fact that we're still learning a little bit about our guys that are going to be role players for us, but also trying to determine a little bit about our starters because we still have some positions where people are fighting for starting jobs. We're trying to make sure we've got the right 11 on offense and defense as well, as well as on special teams."
This week's performance will go a long way to deciding the final 53-man roster and players on the roster bubble securing their spots. The Vikings need to cut 15 players from the current 90-man roster by Monday and be at the final 53 on Aug. 31, the day after next week's preseason finale at Houston.
Frazier said the starting units for Minnesota will likely play at least into the first series of the second half Friday. With those factors in mind, here are five things to watch when the Vikings host San Diego at 7 p.m. in the Metrodome.
1. Which wide receivers are going to step up in Jerome Simpson's absence?
Minnesota will be using Friday to continue the audition at receiver, both for roster spots and for Simpson's role while he is suspended. Coaches have said they will scale back Simpson's reps, and he probably won't play as much in Friday's game as the team prepares to deal with his three-game suspension at the start of the regular season. Behind Simpson, Harvin and, maybe, Michael Jenkins, there are many questions about the Vikings receivers.
There are two to three roster spots up for grabs, and players such as Devin Aromashodu, Stephen Burton, Emmanuel Arceneaux, Kerry Taylor, Jarius Wright, Bryan Walters and A.J. Love have a chance to establish themselves on Friday. Aromashodu has the experience. Burton and Arceneaux each have one big play during the preseason, and Wright has the draft pedigree as a fourth-round rookie. The wait continues to see which receiver will step forward with a role there for the taking.
2. Will safety Jamarca Sanford show he should keep his starting spot?
Perhaps the final starting assignment open for Minnesota is the second safety next to rookie Harrison Smith. Second-year player Mistral Raymond started the last game, and Frazier said he would continue that approach only to later decide that Jamarca Sanford would likely draw Friday's start. Sanford was a full-time starter for the first time last season, starting all 15 games he played.
Sanford is the veteran option, but his coverage ability needs improvement. Raymond is lanky and has more range but is inexperienced. The two are close in their competition heading into the ever-important third preseason game. The Vikings might have their answer on who is the better fit next to Smith in the regular season by the time Friday's game is over.
3. Can Christian Ponder continue his efficient ways?
The first-team offense has fared well in the first two preseason games and needs to show it can keep it going for an extended period of the game. Minnesota also must score touchdowns instead of settling for field goals. Ponder is the most important piece to the Vikings' success this season, and he must prove the efficiency he's shown through two preseason games — a 111.2 quarterback rating — is a sign of progression and not a fluke.
Ponder has connected with several receivers and has what appears to be an improved offensive line in front of him. Against Buffalo's strong defense last week, Ponder looked as good as he has in his short time in the NFL. He will need to continue the momentum this week when he likely plays into the third quarter.
4. Will one of the punt returners step forward?
Four players are still vying to win the competition for this spot, which for now is led by last year's returner Marcus Sherels. Rookies Wright and Josh Robinson are also in the mix along with Bryan Walters. Sherels is a sure-handed option but doesn't have big-play ability, and the Vikings might be looking for a way to replace him. The coaches prefer sure-handed over explosiveness right now. So, if the rookies, specifically, want to carve out return roles they will need to show they can catch and hold on to the ball.
Special teams coordinator Mike Priefer wants to see all of the four get chances in this week's games as he decides who is best to fill the role and who he wants to push to keep on the roster. Robinson's roster spot is likely set, and Priefer talked about needing to choose his battles when it comes to fighting for specific players to make the roster. Sherels played in the defense last year as a cornerback but is behind several players in the secondary. Robinson's confidence as a returner has grown in the weeks since he returend from a hamstring strain in training camp, and he has the explosivness Minnesota would like to see.
5. Will Jasper Brinkley inspire confidence in his return?
If there is any starter Frazier has offered the most skepticism about it's middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley. Frazier believes Brinkley can be a capable starter, but the issue lies with Brinkley believing in himself. Frazier has mentioned that the linebacker, who is coming off hip surgery, has to believe he won't get hurt again and become more relentless in his pursuit of ballcarriers. Brinkley has struggled at times during the preseason, and he received a lot of snaps last week in the Vikings' attempt to get his confidence back.
There aren't many options behind Brinkley, so he needs to show the coaches he will be able to make a full recovery, physically and mentally.
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