The Minnesota Vikings fell at the hands of the Tennessee Titans, 24-16. 

While the team did lose, it was not all bad. In fact, several players made their cases for making the roster and earning roles with this team. On the other hand, several other players may have played themselves out of a job. 

Let's identify the four winners and three losers from the second preseason game. 

Winner: TE Nick Muse

Much has been speculated about the Vikings’ TE3 spot this summer. 

The veteran Johnny Mundt has been the favorite, owing to his ability as a blocker and receiver. However, after the second preseason game, Nick Muse may be the new favorite. Muse collected three catches for 10 yards against the Seahawks. Against the Titans, Muse also collected three catches, but this time for 46 yards, leading the team. 

Muse made one impressive catch where he broke multiple tackles and ended with a 20-yard gain. 

Loser: WR Blake Proehl

After collecting just one catch for two yards against Seattle, Proehl needed a big response against the Titans. 

However, the receiver failed to appear on the stat sheet at all. Proehl was targeted twice but didn't come down with either ball. Elsewhere in the WR room, Trishton Jackson, Thayer Thomas, and Brandon Powell each made a couple of nice plays. 

While always a longshot, Proehl gathered some momentum after an impressive summer. Unfortunately, that has not carried over to the preseason. 

Winner: RB Aaron Dykes

Dykes was signed less than a week ago but has already impressed. 

Dykes took three carries for 19 yards and also caught one pass for 11 yards. Perhaps Dykes' biggest contribution was on special teams. Dykes collected a tackle and returned five kicks for 112 yards. Interestingly, Dykes was the only player to return a kick and Brandon Powell was the only player to return a punt. This implies that the team is pretty comfortable with these roles. 

Loser: RB DeWayne McBride

McBride was electric in college and looked destined to become a late-round steal. 

That could still happen, but McBride hasn't exactly gotten off to a hot start. The rookie has failed to impress much this summer and was listed behind Kene Nwangwu and Ty Chandler on the initial depth chart. Against the Seahawks, McBride collected just 15 yards on six carries. Against the Titans, McBride took six carries for 18 yards and a touchdown. 

It's nice to see McBride improve, but he still comes out in the negative thanks to the performance of Dykes. 

Winner: DL Sheldon Day

Day has bounced around the league as a depth defensive lineman. This summer, Day seemed like just a veteran camp body. However, the tide may be turning in Day’s favor after the Titans game. 

Day racked up three tackles and a sack against the Titans. The backup Titans' offensive line looked overmatched by the veteran Day. Even when not getting to the backfield, Day still pushed around interior linemen all night. 

Day played better than several of his competitors, and may now be in the running for a depth DL spot. 

Loser: DL Jonathan Bullard

No, Bullard didn’t play against the Titans. However, other linemen did, and played well. On the previous slide, I listed Sheldon Day as a winner. Guess who is (for now) ahead of Day on the depth chart? Enter Jonathan Bullard. 

Bullard is a veteran who offers little in the way of pass-rushing but has long been a solid run-stuffer. However, Bullard has done little this offseason to impress. The veteran collected just one tackle against the Seahawks and didn't play against the Titans. 

Is Bullard's role safe? Or did Kevin O'Connell simply choose not to play the veteran? If Bullard sits again in the third game, Day or another DL could easily supplant the veteran. 

Winner: S Lewis Cine

Cine led the Vikings in tackles against the Titans, finishing with seven. Cine also collected one sack and one tackle for loss. 

This was a great sign for the former first-round pick. Even when not showing up on the stat sheet, Cine was around the ball on every play. Cine did not seem to be slow or hesitant and actually looked quite explosive. The former Georgia Bulldog made a couple of nice open-field tackles, which is vital for a safety. 

I still think Camryn Bynum is the favorite to start, but Cine is making it a discussion. 

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Featured image via © Jeffrey Becker | 2023 Aug 19