SEATTLE -- After facing an 11-0 halftime deficit, the Seahawks nearly rallied to victory on Thursday night at CenturyLink Field, ultimately falling 18-11 to the visiting Minnesota Vikings in the second game of the 2016 preseason.
Rookie quarterback Trevone Boykin, who orchestrated a last-second comeback win in last week's preseason opener against the Chiefs, had a chance at more late-game heroics this week. But with less than two minutes to play and the game tied at 11 his pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Minnesota cornerback Marcus Sherels. The Seahawks took the ensuing drive all the way to Minnesota's 5-yard-line, but fell short of the end zone, giving the Vikings the 18-11 win.
Behind Boykin, Seattle scored all of its points in the second half. He started the third quarter in place of Russell Wilson and finished the game after Seattle saw one series out of Jake Heaps. Boykin led a seven-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to open the scoring for Seattle in the fourth quarter and followed that up later in the final frame with a 13-play, 58-yard drive capped by a 49-yard Steven Hauschka field goal that tied the game at 11. Boykin finished the game 10-of-20 for 127 yards and the pick.
Running back Troymaine Pope, one of last week's heroes, put up 43 yards on four carries during the Seahawks' lone touchdown drive, including a 4-yard score that Boykin followed up by running - and leaping - for a successful two-point conversion. Pope finished the game with 10 carries for 86 yards (8.6-yard average) and the score.Â
Wilson, who saw just one series last week in Kansas City, started the game and got an extended look, going 5-of-11 for 77 yards in one half of work. He went 3-of-3 for 48 yards on the Seahawks' opening drive, including an impressive 31-yard strike to receiver Tyler Lockett. Wilson was also sacked four times in the first two quarters, the first sacks Seattle has given up this preseason.
Running back Christine Michael ran with the first team and turned in another strong performance, carrying 10 times for 55 yards (5.5-yard average). Behind Michael and Pope, rookie Alex Collins saw the most work, gaining 13 yards on six totes, while fellow rookie Zac Brooks saw his first snaps of preseason after sitting out last week with a hamstring injury.
Outside of Lockett, who finished with two grabs for 39 yards, Antwan Goodley led the way with five catches for 65 yards followed by rookie Kenny Lawler, who made three catches for 47 yards.
Minnesota's lone offensive touchdown came in the second quarter led by quarterback Shaun Hill, who got the start over Teddy Bridgewater. Running back Jerick McKinnon's 1-yard score capped a seven play, 77-yard drive, and the Vikings went for two to make it 8-0, as Hill found Matt Asiata from two yards out. The Vikings added a 27-yard field goal to close out the first half.
Seahawks players have Friday and Saturday off from practice before returning to work on Sunday with a "Bonus Day" workout in advance of the third preseason game, a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys set for 7 p.m. PT on Thursday, August 25 at CenturyLink Field.Â
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Check out some photos from Preseason Week 2: Seattle Seahawks vs. Minnesota Vikings at CenturyLink Field.
