Vikings @ Steelers Halftime Report: Offenses Sputter Early, Few Points In Pittsburgh

In what has been labeled by most as a defensive struggle, the Vikings-Steelers matchup has lived up to its expectations. The offense was practically non-existent in the first half as both defenses dominated the line of scrimmage. Both offenses were mostly stifled throughout the first quarter, as Minnesota punted on all of their possessions in that span and the Steelers only come away with three points.

Despite starting the game with a first-down run by Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers then turned to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who came into this game (his first ever against Brett Favre) leading the NFL is passing yardage.

The Steelers reached the red zone first following a failed challenge by Vikings head coach Brad Childress and a wide receiver reverse by Mike Wallace. A suspect offensive pass interference penalty on tight end Heath Miller negated a short touchdown reception by Santonio Holmes, and the sack on Roethlisberger that followed forced Pittsburgh to settle for a field goal.

Mostly unable to run with Adrian Peterson, Minnesota continued its effective use of the West Coast offense employed by Childress, using short, underneath passes to Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, and others. William Gay hesitated on a coverage, allowing Vikings wideout and first-round pick Percy Harvin to run up in sit in the hole, offering Favre an easy throwing lane for a 28-yard catch to put the Vikings in the red zone for the first time in the second quarter. After that, Peterson carried it the rest of the way as the Vikings pounded the ball into the endzone close to the goal line. That touchdown, which put the Vikings up 7-3, marked the largest margin any team has led the Steelers this season, which shows just how close all of Pittsburgh's games have been.

Minnesota seemed content to play for field position following the go-ahead TD as they punted with less than two minutes remaining and pinned Mike Tomlin's team down inside their own 10. While he moved the ball efficiently, Roethlisberger nearly threw two interceptions that were fortunately dropped by defenders Tyrell Johnson and E.J. Henderson. Immediately afterwards, he completed two straight passes over the middle to Mike Wallace, who came up big again and scored for Pittsburgh on a 40-yard reception to close out the half.

Minnesota only rushed four players on every play of Pittsburgh's final drive, playing a soft cover-2 defense that allowed Reoethlisberger to find his rhythm. It strongly resembled the last-minute collapse of the Vikings defense at the end of their last game against the Ravens. Something needs to be done about their lack of killer instinct on defense, for their winning streak looks perilously close to ending.