Minnesota Vikings vs Steelers: Preseason game preview

The Minnesota Vikings finally get to play a game vs another team instead of hitting each other in what’s known as Training Camp in Mankato, Minnesota. This game is also a rematch of teams that played in the 1975 Super Bowl with the Steelers winnings 16-6.

GAME INFO

Yes, the game is Sunday August 9^th in Canton, Ohio at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Field.
TV Network: NBC
Announce team: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Paul Burmeister
The game can also be heard on Westwood One Sports with the play-by-play team of James Lofton and Scott Graham

MICK TINGELHOFFFS BIG DAY FINALLY HERE

The weekend is extra big for Minnesota Vikings fans because long time center, Mick Tingelhoff finally gets his call into the Hall of Fame. Mick is the 6^th with most or all their time in one uniform in the last 8 years. Tingelhoff is the 13^th Vikings to be enshrined in Pro Football’s Hall of Fame. Mick cab say what very few can say and that is he never missed a game in 17 years playing in 240 straight games.

VIKINGS PRESEASON ALL TIME RECORD

The Vikings are 144-96-3 in 54 preseason seasons
Undefeated in 7 seasons (1964,’65,’73,’92,’98,’01and 2014)
Vikings have 41 seasons of playing better than .500 ball in preseason
In 41 seasons .500 or better 31 times in the regular season the team has finished .500 or better
In 13 seasons Vikings have finished below .500 and 7 of those regular season the team finished below .500

VIKINGS-STEELERS HEAD TO HEAD

Minnesota leads all time series 9-8
Last regular season matchup: Vikings 34 Pittsburgh 27 in London, England in 2013
Vikings largest margin over Pittsburgh is 38 with a 52-14 win in 1969
Steelers largest margin over the Vikings is 15 with a 18-3 win in 2005

VIKIKNGS- STEELERS CONNECTIONS

Minnesota Vikings RB coach, Kirby Wilson held the same position with Pittsburgh from 2007-2013
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin was Vikings defensive coordinator in 2006
Vikings wide receiver, Mike Wallace played for Pittsburgh from 2009-2012
Steelers Running Back Coach, James Saxson was Minnesota Running Back Coach from 2011-2013
-Vikings Wide Receiver Coach, George Stewart was the Steelers Special Teams coach from 1989-1991

VIKINGS ROSTER FUN FACTS

Oldest Viking: Terrance Newman 30 born on 09/07/78
Youngest Viking: Danielle Hunter 20 born on 10/29/94
Most Seasons with Vikings: Cullen Loeffler(12)
Most Seasons in the NFL: Shaun Hill (14)
Colleges with most Vikings on roster: UCLA and Notre Dame with 5 each
Conference with most Vikings: Pac 12 (13)
Largest Vikings player Babatunde Aiyegbusi (6’9” and 351 pounds)
Small Vikings player: Blair Walsh (5’10” and 170 pounds)
Former First Round picks on roster: 11
Former Pro Bowler on roster: 8
International Players on Roster: Davis Yankey born in Sydney, Australia
Jeff Locke (Germany), Tyrus Thompson (Germany) and Babatunde Aiyegbusi (Olesnia, Poland)

A LOOK AT THE 2015 STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

This is taken from results of the 2014 results shows Pittsburgh comes in number 1 in the NFL with the hardest schedule facing teams with a .579 winning record. The Minnesota Vikings have the 12^th hardest schedule facing teams that went .539.

A LOOK AT STATS FROM THESE 2 TEAMS IN 2014

Points scored: Pittsburgh 436 Minnesota 325
Avg points per game: Pittsburgh 27.3 Minnesota 20.3
First downs: Pittsburgh 379 Minnesota 288
Turnovers: Pittsburgh +10 Minnesota -1

THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

Yes, it’s only preseason game 1 so we will most likely mot see much action from both starters from the Steelers and Vikings so this will be a huge stage for the Minnesota Vikings draft choices and undrafted rookie to show why they belong on the 53 man roster. I personally am very high on rookie linebacker, Eric Kendricks.

This will be a big night for Cordarelle Patterson to get back on track and show people why the Vikings thought high enough of him to take him in the first round.

Cordarrelle Patterson (84) catches a pass in drills at training camp at Minnesota State University. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

VIKINGS DEPTH CHART

I have been at camp long enough to see offensive line sees Kalil at left tackle, Fusco at left guard, Sullivan at center, Mike Harris is at right guard and Loadholt at right tackle.

The defense goes like this with Brian Robison, Linval Joseph, Sharif Floyd and Everson Griffen on the defensive line. The linebackers have been Chad Greenway, Audie Cole in the middle and Anthony Barr. The secondary has Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton at safeties while Xavier Rhodes and Terrance Newman getting the bulk of the snaps.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE GAME

I am excited to actually watch a game but my hope is no major injuries come out of this game. Yes, a win would be nice but I want to see a team that looks offensively and defensively strong.

In 2014 Vikings defense finished much better than the year before but there is still much work to do but with Coach Mike Zimmer in charge this season looks to be as bright as we have not had in years.

This is the team and coaching staff I believe will challenge for the NFL North title and make a push in the playoffs.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

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