Schmidt’s Week 2 game grades: Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Vikings’ offensive grade: D+

The Vikings’ offense took a hit when Bradford didn’t start and had to go to backup quarterback, Case Keenum. Keenum was pressured throughout the game as the Steelers’ pass-rush was too much for the offensive line. The Steelers stacked the box and blitzed often, causing havoc for the line and Keenum.

The offensive line struggled against the speed of the Steelers’ defense. The line was called for several holding penalties that killed a couple of drives.

Dalvin Cook was the lead back again for the Vikings as he had 12 carries for 64 yards. The rookie struggled early on in the game as the Steelers crowded the line of scrimmage. The line was not getting any push and the passing game was not opening the run game up.

However, in the second half, Cook started to find room and had a nice 25-yard run that would set up the only touchdown for the Vikings by fullback C.J. Ham. The original call on the field after Cook’s big run was a touchdown, which would have been his first in the NFL, but it was overturned. The review showed that Cook’s knee was down before the ball crossed the goal line.

The passing game for the Vikings was out of sync for most of the game. Wide reciever Stefon Diggs was held in check with only two catches for 27 yards. Tight end Kyle Rudolph led the way with four catches for 45 yards.

The Steelers’ pressure caused Keenum to rush his throws or to check down for short passes. The passing game looked a lot like last year’s when the offensive line could not give time for the quarterback to throw.

Also, Keenum had some passes that were dropped or there was a penalty called that erased the pass play. Cook dropped a screen pass early in the game that had a chance to be a first down and possibly more as the blockers were set up nicely.

Rudolph had a chance to haul in a third down pass but got hit by a Steelers safety that forced the ball out. Early in the second half Diggs hauled in another catch along the sidelines that the refs called pass interference against him, forcing the Vikings back.

But there were some positives in the passing game. Keenum delivered a huge third down completion to Rudolph, who tipped the ball with one hand before securing it in with two hands for a first down. Diggs also made a nice grab along the sidelines that set up the Vikings field goal in the first half.

Overall, it was a long day for the Vikings’ offense as they kept shooting themselves in the foot with penalties and dropped passes. The offense will look rebound next week and hope that Bradford returns.