Vikings

VIKINGS VIDEO: Recapping the 26-9 Loss to the Steelers

Case Keenum was signed in the offseason to be a reliable backup to Sam Bradford throughout the 2017 season. However, after just one week, he was thrust into action after Bradford experienced swelling in his surgically-repaired knee throughout the week.

Working on a short week of practice with his fellow starters, Keenum looked every bit the part his backup quarterback label would suggest. Struggling to move the chains and create any explosive plays, Keenum quickly fell victim to an aggressive Mike Tomlin-led defensive unit that smelled blood in the water versus a highly-susceptible offensive line.

Although they allowed just one sack last week versus the New Orleans Saints, the Vikings offensive line includes a new starter at every single position, something that is almost unheard from one offseason to the next. Tomlin’s defense was the first to expose its vulnerabilities Sunday, pressuring Keenum on 46 percent of his dropbacks.

The constant flooding of black and yellow jerseys into the Vikings backfield quickly got into the head of Keenum, who looked flustered as he tried to quickly scan the field and run through his progressions at an obviously quicker pace than usual. By day’s end, Keenum went 20-of-37 for 167 yards and no touchdowns while getting sacked twice and hit another seven times.

Keenum got little to no help from his running game behind him. Take out his one long run of 25 yards and Dalvin Cook rushed for just 39 yards on 11 carries. After a few costly penalties in which the Steelers turned into touchdowns, the Vikings’ weaknesses on the offensive line could no longer be masked once they were put in obvious passing situations.

Here’s a full video breakdown of the Vikings miscues, offensive line woes, and Keenum’s struggles as the team loses to the Steelers at Heinz Field and drops to 1-1 on the season:


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