Vikings Surge Early, Survive Late vs. Steelers

Kudos to the Vikings recent new-look offensive line of, from left to right, Olisaemeka Udoh, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Mason Cole and Brian O’Neill for opening up massive holes for the running game.

Overall, the Vikings ran for 176 yards in the opening half. Their final total of 242 rushing yards is their highest total this season.

Justin Jefferson also balled out in the Vikings #Primetime Purple uniforms, hauling in seven receptions for 79 yards and a score.

Minnesota got Jefferson involved early and often Thursday night, targeting him on the first two plays of the game. The 22-year-old could have had an even bigger night but just missed hauling in a pair of passes in the end zone in the first half.

2. Zimmer dials up the pressure

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer was in vintage form Thursday night, going back to his vaunted Double-A gap scheme that he revolutionized during his career.

Zimmer — in his 15th career game against Roethlisberger — dialed up all sorts of blitzes that confused the longtime Steelers quarterback and his offensive line.

Minnesota recorded five total sacks on Roethlisberger, which tied a season best for the defense.

Eric Kendricks, Harrison Smith, Sheldon Richardson, Armon Watts and Michael Pierce each got to Roethlisberger in the pocket.

Kendricks set a career-best with his fifth sack of the season, and Pierce did the same with his third sack of the year.

Watts paid homage to teammate Everson Griffen with his signature “Sack Daddy” dance after Watts, who has 3.0 sacks in his past four games, brought down Roethlisberger.