Former Minnesota Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer took the field for the second Vikings preseason. As the former Gopher quarterback, the eyes of the state were on Max.
This week Brosmer got to play the full second half for the Vikings as opposed to just the fourth quarter. How did he do? GI breaks it down series by series.
Drive 1. Brosmer was efficient in his short passing game right from the start. He hit a quick 5 yard out, timed out a quick 8 yard curl route for a first down, and then put a pop pass right on the hands of Myles Price for a gain of six. On a second third and short, Max nailed his fourth straight pass with a 5 yard out route again for a first down.
On a third third and short, Max completed his fifth straight pass to start the game connecting with the screen for a gain of 18. Catch was made by Xavier Scott.
The first Max mistake came on an all out blitz from New England as Max took a sack and didn't get the ball out of the pocket. This was followed moments later with an incompletion on third and 11. The Vikings made a field goal to get a score on the drive.
Brosmer is 5 of 6 for 42 yards.
Drive 2. Last week all of the Brosmer drives for the Vikings started on short fields. This week drive one started on the Vikings 16 and the second drive started on the Minnesota 32.
Brosmer connected with Price perfectly on a 19 yard pass along the sidelines but an illegal motion penalty took away a beautiful first play. By now you've all seen Kevin O'Connell cursing on TV because of the penalty, this was that play. O'Connell praised Max for the throw and told the broadcast that Max is doing a great job hitting guys coming out of their cuts.
Moments later Max recognized the safety blitz and took a shot down the field in man coverage, but Max overthrew the receiver by about a yard on what was a 45 yard throw.
This mistake filled drive was finished off by Brosmer getting sacked on a roll out and then sacked on a drop back.
Brosmer is 5 of 7 for 42 yards.
Drive 3. Another drive starting in Viking territory, Minnesota had the ball at the 40 for Max's third Drive. Fourth quarter's first play.
On a third and four, Max put the ball right on the money timing out a 29 yard throw on the sidelines, putting it only where Tim Jones could get it. This pass might've been even prettier than the 19 yard gain that was called back in the third quarter. It was right over the shoulder on the sideline where only Jones could get it.
The Vikings then moved the ball to the 21 yard line of New England on a 5 yard curl hook up. After a roll out to the right play was missed, Max was sacked for the third time in the second half. This led to another field goal attempt (and make).
Brosmer is 7 of 11 for 76 yards.
Drive 4. This drive started at the New England eight yard line because of a monster kick return by price. Brosmer started the drive with a 4 yard gain on a quick out to the right.
The attempt at a touchdown went dark real quick. Max scrambled and threw an incompletion, he didn't get his feet set on a New England blitz and had another incompletion, and then a dead ball penalty on fourth down forced Minnesota to switch their game plan and kick a field goal.
Brosmer is 8 of 14 for 80 yards.
Drive 5. The Vikings were pinned back to their own 6 yard line. There was a quick out gain of four yards, an incompletion, and Max scrambling to avoid the safety and completing a pass for a game of one. Vikings had to punt.
Drive 6. With one minute and 46 seconds to go and the Vikings down 20 to 12, Max had a chance at a game tying drive. The drive started at the Minnesota 31. Sixty-nine yards to go for a touchdown (and two point conversion).
After a gain of three followed by a bad miss down the field, Max hit Jones for a gain of 25 on a crucial third and 17. Another great ball, the window in the zone was small and Max put the football on the hands perfectly.
The next ball was just as nice when Max took his deep drop and nailed Tim Jones in stride on a slant. A 22 yard pick-up with 38 seconds to go.
From the Patriots 22, Max connected on a gain of seven on an out route, missed to the other side, and picked up the first down on gain of 14 over the middle.
This led to one or two more plays from the eight with six seconds to go. One chance to try and tie the game. And…. the Vikings left tackle Logan Brown had a false start making it a 13 yard one play attempt.
Moments later Max found Price with a game tying throw but Price didn't come down with it. Basically the ball was there, Price missed it.
Then game then ended on an interception in the end zone.
Brosmer is 15 of 27 for 156 yards with an interception.