Ravens Head to Minnesota for Preseason Test Against Vikings
The Baltimore Ravens will get their second look at live preseason action Saturday afternoon when they travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Minnesota Vikings.
Baltimore enters the game 1-0 in the preseason after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 24-7 at M&T Bank Stadium. Minnesota is also 1-0 after a 13-10 victory over the New York Giants. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, with the game airing locally on WBAL Channel 11.
This matchup will be a little different from a normal preseason game. The Ravens and Vikings already spent Wednesday and Thursday working against each other in two joint practices in Minnesota, giving both coaching staffs an extensive look at their starters and key rotational players.
For Baltimore, Saturday should be less about the final score and much more about finding answers at several positions before the roster is trimmed to 53 players.
Ravens and Vikings already know each other well
Baltimore’s defense had an encouraging showing during the two joint practices.
Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins repeatedly challenged Minnesota’s talented receiving group, including Justin Jefferson. Humphrey broke up several passes and Wiggins denied Jefferson in the end zone during red-zone work Thursday. Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, K’Von Wallace and Chandler Rivers also made plays in coverage.
The Ravens’ pass rush also created problems.
New Baltimore outside linebacker Trey Hendrickson recorded what would have been two sacks during Thursday’s practice and consistently pressured Minnesota’s offensive front, including left tackle Christian Darrisaw.
That is an encouraging development for a Baltimore defense that already has considerable talent in the secondary.
The offense had a more difficult time.
Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores attacked Baltimore with frequent and complicated pressure packages, and the Vikings were able to generate pressure against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offensive line. Ronnie Stanley acknowledged afterward that Baltimore has several things it needs to clean up.
While many of Baltimore’s established starters could see limited or no action Saturday, those joint practices provided meaningful work against Minnesota’s top players.
Center competition takes center stage after Danny Pinter injury
The biggest storyline entering Saturday may now be Baltimore’s situation at center.
Danny Pinter suffered a significant right leg injury during Wednesday’s joint practice and is expected to miss an extended period of time. NFL Network reported that Pinter suffered a torn patellar tendon.
Pinter had been competing for the starting job following the departure of Tyler Linderbaum.
His injury puts even more attention on Jovaughn Gwyn and Ethan Pocic.
Gwyn played well in Baltimore’s preseason opener and received one of the Ravens’ highest offensive grades from Pro Football Focus. He also took first-team snaps during the joint practices after Pinter went down.
Pocic is working back from the Achilles injury he suffered last December and has gradually increased his workload.
Head coach Jesse Minter indicated that Gwyn and Pocic remain in competition for the starting job, while Corey Bullock is also expected to receive center snaps Saturday.
With Baltimore’s regular-season opener against the Indianapolis Colts only a few weeks away, this battle has suddenly become one of the most important competitions on the roster.
Baltimore’s young receivers have another opportunity
The Ravens received strong contributions from several rookies against Philadelphia.
Wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt, tight end Matt Hibner, guard Vega Ioane and cornerback Chandler Rivers were among the young players who impressed the coaching staff.
Hibner may be one of the most interesting players to watch Saturday.
He caught five passes for 61 yards in Baltimore’s preseason opener while also contributing on special teams. Hibner and fellow rookie Josh Cuevas are fighting for roles in Baltimore’s tight end room.
The preseason is particularly valuable for players such as Hibner because Baltimore’s established offensive skill positions are already crowded.
Strong performances in August can make the difference between earning a roster spot, landing on the practice squad or being available when final cuts arrive.
Adam Randall pushing for the No. 3 running back job
Adam Randall should receive another significant workload.
Randall carried the ball 12 times for 46 yards and a touchdown against Philadelphia. The converted wide receiver showed enough ability to make Baltimore’s competition behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill considerably more interesting.
The Ravens have historically valued running back depth, and Randall’s receiving background gives him another element that could help his roster case.
Saturday should provide another opportunity for Baltimore to evaluate how he handles traditional running back responsibilities, particularly pass protection, short-yardage situations and running between the tackles.
Chandler Rivers continues making his case
Baltimore’s secondary may be one of the deepest position groups on the roster, which makes earning a spot difficult for young defensive backs.
Rivers has responded well so far.
The rookie cornerback recorded two tackles and a pass breakup against Philadelphia and followed that performance by winning competitive reps during the joint practices, including one against Jefferson.
Humphrey and Wiggins are entrenched near the top of the depth chart, but the Ravens will always need cornerback depth.
Rivers has another chance Saturday to prove that he deserves to be part of that group.
Tyler Loop needs a clean performance
Second-year kicker Tyler Loop is also under some pressure.
Loop missed a 49-yard field-goal attempt in Baltimore’s preseason opener, creating additional attention around a position where consistency is essential.
His practice results have been significantly better.
Loop went 6-for-6 during Thursday’s joint practice, connecting from 33, 33, 38, 43, 43 and 53 yards.
The Ravens would like to see that practice consistency translate to a game.
A clean performance against Minnesota would go a long way toward quieting questions about whether Baltimore needs to bring in additional kicking competition.
Ravens defense has looked dangerous
Even if Baltimore’s established defensive starters barely play Saturday, what happened during the joint practices was encouraging.
Humphrey appears healthy after playing through injuries in 2025. Wiggins continues to develop into a high-level cover corner. Hamilton remains one of the NFL’s premier defensive backs, and Hendrickson gives Baltimore another proven pass-rushing threat.
Hendrickson has 81 career sacks and immediately impressed his new teammates after joining Baltimore in free agency.
The Ravens also received positive work from Trenton Simpson, Travis Jones, Campbell, Starks and several younger defensive backs against Minnesota.
The most noticeable problem came during two-minute situations.
Minnesota successfully moved the ball late in both joint practices, including a game-winning touchdown by the second-team offense Thursday. Minter will want to see Baltimore finish drives more effectively when situations tighten late in games.
Minnesota’s quarterbacks worth watching
Minnesota’s offense has an interesting quarterback situation involving Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.
Both quarterbacks led successful two-minute work during Wednesday’s joint practice against Baltimore. Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has used the practices to give his quarterbacks meaningful situational reps against a talented Ravens defense.
Baltimore’s reserve defenders should get another useful evaluation if McCarthy receives significant playing time Saturday.
Minnesota also gives the Ravens secondary a difficult group of receivers to work against during the week, with Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings among the players Baltimore defended during the joint sessions.
Vikings dealing with a major defensive injury
Minnesota will be without veteran defender Jamal Adams after he suffered a torn right quadriceps tendon during the Vikings’ preseason victory over the Giants.
The Vikings subsequently placed Adams on season-ending injured reserve.
It is a significant loss for Minnesota’s defensive depth before the regular season even begins.
Five things to watch
1. Jovaughn Gwyn vs. Ethan Pocic
Baltimore needs to identify its starting center. Every snap Gwyn and Pocic take carries more importance following Pinter’s injury.
2. Baltimore handling pressure
Minnesota’s blitz packages created problems during the joint practices. Baltimore’s reserve offensive linemen and quarterbacks will need to communicate well against Flores’ aggressive defense.
3. Adam Randall
Randall has a legitimate opportunity to claim the third running back position. Another productive performance would strengthen his case.
4. The rookie pass catchers
Lane, Sarratt, Hibner and Cuevas have all received opportunities. Baltimore needs to determine which young weapons can contribute immediately and which deserve developmental roster spots.
5. Tyler Loop
Preseason games are especially important for kickers. Loop needs to turn his strong practice results into points when the attempts count on the scoreboard.
MSB prediction
Preseason predictions are difficult because winning is secondary to player evaluation and coaches rarely show much of their regular-season schemes.
Baltimore nevertheless appears to have impressive depth throughout the roster.
The Ravens’ younger players performed well against Philadelphia, and the defense has continued to make plays throughout training camp and the joint practices.
Minnesota’s aggressive defensive scheme should make life more difficult for Baltimore’s reserve offense than Philadelphia did, but the Ravens have enough defensive depth to keep this game low scoring.
Prediction: Ravens 20, Vikings 16
More important than moving to 2-0 will be Baltimore leaving Minnesota healthy and gaining clarity at center, running back, wide receiver, tight end, cornerback and kicker.
The Ravens have only a short amount of time remaining before the 53-man roster begins to take shape, and for many of the players taking the field Saturday afternoon, this will be one of their final opportunities to prove they belong.
Game information: Baltimore Ravens at Minnesota Vikings
Date: Saturday, Aug. 22
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: WBAL Channel 11 in Baltimore
Radio: WBAL 1090 AM/101.5 FM and 98 Rock 97.9 FM
