Late interception propels Vikings past Seahawks

SEATTLE — Marcus Sherels intercepted Trevone Boykin’s pass and returned it 53 yards for a touchdown with 1:23 left and the Minnesota Vikings beat the Seattle Seahawks 18-11 on Thursday night.

With Boykin trying to lead Seattle to another late comeback for a second straight week, Sherels stepped in front of his pass intended for E.Z. Nwachukwu and went untouched for the deciding score. Seattle had pulled even at 11-11 when Troymaine Pope scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with 12:49 left after his 27-yard run got the Seahawks deep in Minnesota territory and Steven Hauschka’s 49-yard field goal later in the fourth quarter.

Boykin got Seattle to the Minnesota 5 in the closing seconds, before taking a sack and was unable to connect with Antwan Goodley in the end zone on the final play.

Adrian Peterson was a spectator for Minnesota, as expected. So too, unexpectedly, was quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, given the night off by the choice of coach Mike Zimmer. Shaun Hill started and played nearly the entire first half, leading the Vikings to their only offensive touchdown on Jerick McKinnon’s 1-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter.

Blair Walsh was perfect on a 27-yard field goal, after missing from the same distance in the NFC wild-card game and costing the Vikings a playoff victory. But Walsh missed wide left from 47 yards with 2:09 left that would have given the Vikings the lead.

Seattle’s overhauled offensive line struggled after a decent debut last Saturday against Kansas City. Russell Wilson played the entire first half and was sacked four times, getting pulled down awkwardly on the last sack. Wilson was 5 of 11 for 77 yards.

The bright spot for Seattle’ starting offense was again running back Christine Michael. Projected as the No. 2 running back when the season begins, Michael finished with 55 yards on 10 carries.

PRESEASON FOR EVERYONE

It’s preseason for everyone, including the officials. Referee Ed Hochuli had a slip in the third quarter when the Vikings called timeout, but he announced, “Time out Baltimore,” before correcting himself.

ROOKIE WATCH

Vikings: QB Joel Stave played the entire second half and was 6 of 14 for 67 yards.

Seahawks: DT Jarran Reed was disruptive against both the Vikings’ starting offense and their reserves. Reed had three tackles, but gave Seattle a scare in the third quarter when he stayed down on the field for a few moments getting looked at by trainers. He walked off under his own power.

POSITION BATTLES

Vikings: RT Andre Smith played nearly the entire first half with the starting offense in his bid to hold off T.J. Clemmings for the starting job. Smith stayed mostly out of the spotlight with the exception of a holding call that was declined.

Seahawks: Mike Morgan started at strongside linebacker. Morgan has appeared to hold the edge in the competition as the most experienced option in Seattle’s system.

INJURY UPDATE

Vikings: CB Xavier Rhodes left the game in the first quarter with a hamstring injury.

Seahawks: RB Thomas Rawls did not play, but he did go through a full pregame warmup, the strongest sign that Rawls may be ready for the regular season.

QUOTABLE

“It’s nothing at all to be concerned about,” Bridgewater told the Vikings’ TV broadcast. “Like coach Zimmer said, it was his decision. It was just good to be out there supporting the guys.”

SCORING SUMMARY

VIKINGS 18, SEAHAWKS 11

Minnesota 0 11 0 7—18

Seattle 0 0 0 11—11

Second Quarter

Min—McKinnon 1 run (Asiata pass from S.Hill), 2:24.

Min—FG Walsh 27, :03.

Fourth Quarter

Sea—Pope 4 run (Boykin run), 12:53.

Sea—FG Hauschka 49, 5:50.

Min—Sherels 53 interception return (Walsh kick), 1:33.

A—68,469.

Min Sea

First downs 17 21

Total Net Yards 258 327

Rushes-yards 26-70 31-187

Passing 188 140

Punt Returns 4-28 4-6

Kickoff Returns 2-59 1-26

Interceptions Ret. 1-53 0-0

Comp-Att-Int 16-31-0 16-34-1

Sacked-Yards Lost 1-8 6-68

Punts 8-45.5 6-54.0

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0

Penalties-Yards 6-90 12-111

Time of Possession 27:09 32:51

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Minnesota, Pressley 6-28, Ham 8-25, McKinnon 9-15, Asiata 3-2. Seattle, Pope 10-86, Michael 10-55, Collins 6-13, Farmer 1-12, Boykin 2-11, Brooks 2-10.

PASSING—Minnesota, S.Hill 10-17-0-129, Stave 6-14-0-67. Seattle, Wilson 5-11-0-77, Boykin 10-20-1-127, Heaps 1-3-0-4.

RECEIVING—Minnesota, Thielen 4-61, Rudolph 2-54, Asiata 2-20, Ham 2-18, Patterson 2-17, Pruitt 1-12, Carter 1-6, McKinnon 1-5, Diggs 1-3. Seattle, Goodley 5-65, Lawler 3-47, Lockett 2-39, Vannett 1-15, Farmer 1-13, Michael 1-9, McEvoy 1-8, Collins 1-8, Brooks 1-4.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—Minnesota, Walsh 47. Seattle, Hauschka 53.