For what it’s worth, the Minnesota Vikings won their first preseason game of the year with a 14-3 victory over the Steelers Sunday night in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
Several of the headliners on both teams were sideliners, with Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Vikings running back Adrian Peterson both sitting out.
PETERSON: “It felt good to be back out there with the guys…it’s going to be good during the preseason to get my mind ready.” #Vikings
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) August 10, 2015
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater played only the first offensive series for the Vikings, completing five of six passes for 44 yards, the Star Tribune reports.
Backup Mike Kafka took over for Bridgewater and played the rest of the first half, while rookie Tyler Heinicke played the entire second half.
Rookie wide receiver Stefon Diggs had the highlight of the game in the third quarter, when he returned a punt 62 yards and came oh-so-close to scoring a touchdown. Diggs was ruled down at the 1-yard-line, and Joe Banyard took the ball in for the score on the next play.
Stefon Diggs 60+ yard punt return http://t.co/thbRUICl2G
— 365 FOOTBALL (@_365Football) August 10, 2015
Another newcomer, MyCole Pruitt, put Minnesota on the scoreboard in the second quarter when he caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Kafka to make it 7-3, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Matt Asiata and Jerrick McKinnon are both vying to be the backup to Peterson. Asiata gained 30 yards on six carries, and caught a pass for five yards. McKinnon had only two carries for two yards, and had one catch for 13 yards, the Pioneer Press notes.
Linebacker Audie Cole had a strong night as he competes for a starting job. He had three tackles, one of which caused a fumble in the second quarter that was recovered by Antone Exum. But Blair Walsh missed a 48-yard field goal attempt, according to the Star Tribune.
Rookie cornerback Trae Waynes had a rocky introduction to pro football. The Steelers targeted him and the strategy paid off, as Waynes was flagged three times; one of them was declined because the receiver still caught the 35-yard pass, the Star Tribune notes.
Shaun Hill, who’s settled in as Bridgewater’s main backup at quarterback, did not play. But he will likely see some action in the Viking’s next preseason game on Saturday against Tampa Bay, according to the Pioneer Press.
