CANTON, Ohio — Backup quarterback Mike Kafka threw a touchdown pass and running back Joe Banyard ran for another score to help the Minnesota Vikings beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 14-3 on Sunday night in the Hall of Fame Game.
Most of the regulars, including Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, watched from the sidelines in the annual NFL preseason opener.
Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater completed 5 of 6 passes for 44 yards in his one series of work. The reigning NFL Rookie of the Year’s night ended when the Steelers stopped the Vikings on fourth down midway through the first quarter.
Bridgewater deftly guided the Vikings on a 10-play, 51-yard drive in the first quarter, hitting tight end Kyle Rudolph for a pair of 11-yard gains. Rather than attempt a short field goal on fourth-and-1 from the 10, Zimmer opted to go for it, only to see Jerick McKinnon stopped for no gain by nose tackle Steve McLendon, one of the handful of Pittsburgh regulars to actually take the field.
With Roethlisberger given the night off and usual backup Bruce Gradkowski dealing with a sore arm, the Steelers gave third-stringer Landry Jones an extensive look.
The early returns weren’t exactly promising. Jones completed 15 of 32 passes for 128 yards with one interception while taking nearly every Pittsburgh snap. He led the Steelers on their only scoring drive of the half, finding Shakim Phillips for a 35-yard strike that set up a 36-yard field goal by Shaun Suisham.
Minnesota didn’t have nearly as much trouble finding the end zone after the early near miss. Kafka took advantage of a blown coverage to connect with MyCole Pruitt for an easy 34-yard TD strike 4:20 left in the first half.
The Vikings extended the lead midway through the third quarter following a 62-yard punt return by rookie wide receiver Stefon Diggs. He was tripped up just short of the goal line. No matter: One play later, Banyard strolled into the end zone to make it 14-3.
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
