What did it mean? Vikings' Hall of Fame Game recap
The Minnesota Vikings beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, 14-3, in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday in Canton, Ohio, an extra, early preseason contest that's even more an exhibition than the others.
Still, players put on pads and uniforms, coaches called plays and fans watched and formed opinions. So, even if it didn't matter much in terms of actual football, let's deconstruct the game anyway and find out what we might have found out.
5 things we learned:
-- Second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who completed 5 of 6 passes for 44 yards and was upset about his only miss (a third-down incompletion), looked comfortable, confident and accurate.
-- The backup QBs, veteran Mike Kafka (7 of 10 for 66 yards and a touchdown) and undrafted rookie Taylor Heinicke (7 of 10 for 51 yards and a tipped-pass interception) also looked good.
-- Versatile linebacker Audie Cole started ahead of second-round rookie Eric Kendricks at middle linebacker and confirmed his place on the depth chart, making three tackles and forcing a fumble.
-- Speedy rookie wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who had a 62-yard punt return that was stopped just short of the end zone, is as elusive as advertised and will seriously challenge incumbent Marcus Sherels (who had a 24-yarder of his own) to be Minnesota's punt returner.
-- First-round rookie cornerback Trae Waynes, who was beaten for a long completion in the first quarter and flagged for three penalties, is definitely still learning.
4 things we still don't know:
-- Who is the primary backup running back, as five guys rushed 23 times for 82 ordinary yards (3.6 average), with Adrian Peterson not playing?
-- Speaking of Peterson, who missed all but one game last season because of legal issues and suspension, is he still the same explosive runner he was before?
-- Is left tackle Matt Kalil, who struggled last year and had two knee surgeries in the offseason, fully recovered and healthy?
-- How would the Vikings' defense have performed had it faced the Steelers' top offensive players, such as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le'Veon Bell, wide receiver Antonio Brown, tight end Heath Miller and center Maurkice Pouncey, all of whom sat out?
3 key stats:
-- Kicker Blair Walsh, who was excellent his first two seasons, slumped badly last year but signed an offseason contract extension, missed his only field-goal attempt (a 48-yarder) on Sunday.
-- Fifth-round rookie receiver MyCole Pruitt had four catches for 51 yards and a touchdown, all of which were team highs.
-- The Vikings' offensive line, albeit facing a Steelers defense without many starters, allowed just one sack Sunday.
2 top performances:
-- Pruitt, who caught all four passes thrown to him, including the one for a 34-yard score in the second quarter.
-- Defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, who was active all night and finished with a team-high five tackles, including a third-quarter sack.
1 big moment:
-- Midway through the third quarter, with Minnesota leading 7-3, Diggs returned a punt 62 yards but was tripped up at the Pittsburgh 1-yard line as he stretched the ball toward the end zone, which prompted coach Mike Zimmer to challenge the call. The review was upheld, but Joe Banyard ran in for the touchdown one play later.
Next: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday.
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