The Viking Age
FanSided

Week 2 Ups and Downs: Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers

By Adam Carlson

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: C.J. Ham #30 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Kyle Rudolph #82 after rushing for a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: C.J. Ham #30 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with Kyle Rudolph #82 after rushing for a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs his route while being defended by Xavier Rhodes #29 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs his route while being defended by Xavier Rhodes #29 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Overall Impression

This was slated to be one of the most difficult games of the 2017 season for the Minnesota Vikings. Going on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers without quarterback Sam Bradford was a challenging task, but one the team approached head-on.

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Tons of penalties, poor pass protection, and mistakes on defense made this a game that never seemed close enough to be competitive. Case Keenum did his best, but he doesn’t offer the same kind of accuracy that Bradford offers.

Watching Xavier Rhodes against Antonio Brown was the highlight of the day. Seeing these two high-caliber players challenging each other was amazingly fun.

Other good news is that this is a game that few gave the Vikings a chance of winning. And fans of Minnesota can always wonder if the contest would have had a different feel if Sam Bradford was at the reins on offense.

Pittsburgh’s speed and swarming defense just proved to be far too much for Minnesota to handle. Players seemed visibly frustrated, which could have a lot to do with why there were so many penalties called against the Vikings in this contest.

Next: Could Teddy Bridgewater return soon?

There is more hope that the Minnesota Vikings will be able to rebound in Week 3 of the NFL season when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium and have a chance to reflect and learn from this disappointing game.

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