The Viking Age
FanSided

Minnesota Vikings Week 2: Top 5 takeaways vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

By Josh Clarke

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings is tripped up as he carries the ball by Sean Davis #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter during the game at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 17: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings is tripped up as he carries the ball by Sean Davis #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter during the game at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 17: Martavis Bryant #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch between two Minnesota Vikings defenders 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: Martavis Bryant #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers makes a catch between two Minnesota Vikings defenders in the second half during the game at Heinz Field on September 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Second Corner Conundrum

This offseason the Minnesota Vikings locked up Xavier Rhodes to a 6-year contract extension, providing stability on one side of the defense for years to come. Unfortunately, Rhodes is just one man and can’t cover the entire field by himself.

So far the extension looks to be money well spent. Rhodes acquitted himself extremely well against one of the league’s elite wide receivers as he kept Antonio Brown under wraps for the majority of the game, helping limit him to 5 catches on 11 targets for a meager total of 62 yards.

Unfortunately, with Martavius Bryant returning from a season-long suspension, the Pittsburgh Steelers are flush with receiving options and the rest of the Vikings cornerbacks couldn’t contain them. Bryant tormented the Vikings secondary, he may have only had 3 catches but they went for 91 yards and a touchdown and if it wasn’t for a couple of pass interference penalties his stats would have looked even more impressive.

Regardless of if it was Trae Waynes or Terrance Newman, they proved no match for the former Clemson Tiger and at times the duo had no option other to commit pass interference to prevent a big play. Newman was covering Bryant on his touchdown catch and simply couldn’t keep up with him on a slant route. Waynes didn’t fare any better as Bryant burnt him early in the second quarter, forcing the former first-round pick to interfere for 49 penalty yards. Unfortunately, Waynes didn’t learn his lesson and gave up a 51-yard completion to Bryant in the 3rd quarter.

Looking ahead the Vikings don’t face too many deadly wide receiver duos but based on Sunday’s performance they could mightily struggle next week when they face Tampa Bay. With Rhodes expected to shadow Mike Evans, expect Tramaine Brock or Mackensie Alexander to cover DeSean Jackson if Waynes and Newman can’t keep up. Based on their performance against Bryant, expect to see a change by the second quarter.

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