Staff Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

BIG-PLAY CAPABLE: The Vikings’ season high for completions of at least 20 yards in a game last season was five.

Week 2, though, will be much different for this Vikings team.

“I don’t know, we’ll have to see”, Zimmer said initially when asked if Bradford will start Sunday against the Steelers.

Against Saints’ cornerback, De’Vante Harris, Diggs caught seven of his eight targets for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Although Pittsburgh never trailed, the game was still in doubt in the fourth quarter when a late Browns score cut the lead to three points with over three minutes to play. The Vikings’ run defense slammed the door early on Adrian Peterson and the New Orleans Saints. James had six receptions for 41 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Week 1.

The Pittsburgh Steelers meandered into Cleveland Browns Stadium (FirstEnergy) this past weekend, September 10, sure of a few things and not so sure about others. By the time Brees finally found the end zone with 1:56 left, the game was out of reach. Dalvin Cook showed that he is a true National Football League running back, displaying not only the speed he showed in college but fantastic strength as well. The Vikings surrendered 344 total yards of offense, though they held the Saints to just 4-of-11 on third down conversions. Cleveland offers a very talented running back, in Isaiah Crowell, and he managed to just gain 33 yards on 17 carries in Week 1.

The Vikings defense has to be sharp and aware of where he is on the field and where he is looking at all times. But the Vikings’ defensive line, which includes backup end Brian Robinson and backup tackle Shamar Stephen, is the strength of the Minnesota defense.

The Steelers have won three of the last four encounters between these two teams, although it was the Vikings who won the most recent meeting; a 34-27 victory in 2013 that took place in London, England.

No matter how good the Vikings defense is, this particular offense can expose any great defense with all of the playmakers that they possess.

“During training camp, if he made a mistake, rarely would he ever make that mistake again”, Bradford said, adding: “I think that’s one of the reasons, obviously, he was able to start Week 1 and play the way he did”. It’s awesome what he can do at the quarterback position if he has a clean pocket to throw from.