Vikings vs. Steelers: Score and Reaction for 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game

Nobody will mistake the Minnesota Vikings' 14-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2015 Hall of Fame Game for a high-quality postseason showdown, but it was actual, live football. In early August, that's all that matters.

Minnesota's defense set the tone of the entire game and shut down a Pittsburgh attack that played without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger or running back Le'Veon Bell. While the performance of the defense was the main story for the Vikings on their way to victory, MyCole Pruitt and Joe Banyard each found the end zone.

Here is a look at some numbers from Pruitt, Banyard and a few of Sunday's other marquee players: 

Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Player	Team	Pass Completions	Passing Yards	Touchdowns	Interceptions
Landry Jones	Pittsburgh Steelers	16-of-32	135	0	1
Mike Kafka	Minnesota Vikings	7-of-10	66	1	0
Teddy Bridgewater	Minnesota Vikings	5-of-6	44	0	0
Player	Team	Rushing Attempts	Rushing Yards	Touchdowns	Per Carry Average
Dri Archer	Pittsburgh Steelers	4	24	0	6
Matt Asiata	Minnesota Vikings	6	30	0	5
Joe Banyard	Minnesota Vikings	7	22	1	3.1
Player	Team	Catches	Receiving Yards	Touchdowns	Targets
Shakim Phillips	Pittsburgh Steelers	2	43	0	5
MyCole Pruitt	Minnesota Vikings	4	51	1	4

The Vikings scored the first half's lone touchdown on the way to a 7-3 lead at intermission when Pruitt hauled in a 34-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Mike Kafka. The NFL shared the highlight of the play that broke up a slow-moving first 30 minutes with little offensive action:

Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review noted that Shayon Green lost his coverage responsibilities on the play:

While the Vikings held the lead at halftime, the performance of Teddy Bridgewater was of more importance with the season around the corner. Since Roethlisberger, Bell and Adrian Peterson did not lace it up, Minnesota's rookie quarterback was one of the main attractions for the fans. 

Bridgewater played one quarter and appeared comfortable on his way to 44 passing yards. He completed five of six throws and avoided sacks or many significant hits. He earned praise from Sporting News and Michael Schottey of FanDuel in the process:

"

Nice job by Teddy Bridgewater in one quarter of action. One bad pass to Mike Wallace's feet; otherwise good decisions, smart plays.

— Sporting News NFL (@sn_nfl) August 10, 2015"

Former NFL linebacker Bobby Carpenter provided an encouraging viewpoint for Minnesota fans looking for big things from Bridgewater this season:

For his part, the Louisville product was simply happy to be back in game action, per Josh Hyber of the Star Tribune: 

"

I’m excited to get back in that game mode. A week of game planning, it’s going to be exciting to get out there and compete.

It’s just going to be fun to get back out there and get back in rhythm. And to work on the field in game-like situations. It’s going to be fun to work some situations, third down, red zones, and who knows.

"

Bridgewater's teammates also looked happy to be on the field when they took a 14-3 lead late in the third quarter behind Banyard's one-yard touchdown run. While Banyard scored, rookie Stefon Diggs set him up with an impressive 62-yard punt return. 

Chris B. Brown of Smart Football and Grantland said that Diggs is a youngster to watch this season, while A.J. Francis of the Miami Dolphins praised his former Maryland Terrapin teammate:

"

And you dummies asked me why I said @stefon_diggs is the best offensive weapon I ever played with? I tell yall but yall don't be listenin

— A.J. Francis (@AJFrancis410) August 10, 2015"

Diggs' return and the resultant touchdown was the last truly exciting sequence of the game, which is a testament to the Minnesota defense.

The Vikings held the Steelers offense to a mere three points and 191 total yards and dictated the tempo for most of the game. One player who stood out to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report was rookie linebacker Eric Kendricks, who tallied three tackles and looked comfortable flying around the field:

One reason the Vikings were so strong on defense was continuity, as Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus pointed out:

Many had their eyes on cornerback Trae Waynes when Minnesota's defense was on the field. The Vikings drafted him with the No. 11 overall pick out of Michigan State, and he experienced some early growing pains, as Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Miller noted:

Preseason is all about picking up critical experience, and that is exactly what Waynes and the rest of the Minnesota defense did. Waynes will undoubtedly improve the more he sees the field, and the defense still shut down the Pittsburgh offense Sunday.

Vikings fans have plenty to look forward to this year if that continues.

What's Next?

The Pittsburgh Steelers stay on the road this preseason and head to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars on Friday. Pittsburgh fans will likely be far more interested in the potential appearance of Roethlisberger than whether their team can pick up its first preseason victory.

The Steelers figure to be one of the better offenses this season when Roethlisberger, Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown are all on the field together, and Sunday likely wasn't a hint of what's to come when the games begin to count.

As for the Vikings, they head home to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday.

It is dangerous to draw too many conclusions from the first preseason game, but Vikings fans can take solace knowing their quarterback looks the part heading into his second season. If Bridgewater improves from a solid rookie campaign and Peterson provides a dangerous rushing attack, Minnesota could contend for a playoff spot in the NFC.