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The Call: Vikings vs. Steelers

By Chip Scoggins

September 28, 2013 at 11:54PM

Ben Roethlisberger threw for 406 yards last week against Chicago, but he also committed four turnovers. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

30

STEELERS

27

VIKINGS

One man's prediction: At 0-3, both teams should be beyond desperate. Matt Cassel's first start at QB in place of injured starter Christian Ponder could give the Vikings a spark. But the Vikings have major concerns in the secondary. CB Chris Cook (groin) and SS Jamarca Sanford (hamstring) will not play. Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers could have a big passing game.

Welcome back

The Vikings' running game has sputtered since Adrian Peterson ripped off a 78-yard touchdown run on the team's first offensive play of the season in Detroit. The line has struggled to open holes against defenses stacked to stop Peterson. The running game should get a boost with the return of Pro Bowl fullback Jerome Felton, who served a three-game suspension related to a DWI arrest last year. "There's confidence that I feel just knowing what type of guy he is, knowing his approach and his mentality," Peterson said of his lead blocker.

Tough cover

In his first three games, Vikings rookie cornerback Xavier Rhodes has faced Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall and Cleveland's big-play receiver, Josh Gordon. Now, he faces Antonio Brown, who caught nine passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to the Bears last week. Brown is tied for second in the NFL with seven catches of at least 20 yards.

A real drought

The Steelers pride themselves on forcing turnovers on defense, but they're the only team in the NFL that does not have a takeaway this season. Pittsburgh is tied for last in the league with a minus-9 turnover margin. The Vikings have the second-most turnovers in the league with 10. In their 2009 meeting, the Steelers returned a fumble for a touchdown and an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 27-17 victory.

MANO-A-MANO: MATCHUP TO WATCH

Vikings LB Chad Greenway vs. Steelers TE Heath Miller

About Greenway

Had an active performance against the Browns last week, finishing with six tackles, an interception, one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup.

About Miller

A favorite target of Roethlisberger, he made his season debut last week after suffering a knee injury at the end of last season.

Who has the edge?

Miller is a tough matchup for linebackers when he's healthy. He had a career year in 2012 with 71 catches for 816 yards and eight touchdowns. Said Greenway: "He has an ability to find or expand zone coverages to get open and find spots. Any time that a quarterback has a comfort level with a guy, you know he's going to look for him in key situations, and [he's] a guy we obviously need to take away from them."

Advantage: Miller

THE BIG NUMBER

29 Passing attempts Roethlisberger needs to pass Terry Bradshaw (3,901) for the most in Steelers history.

BREAKOUT DAY

Matt Cassel, Vikings QB: It will be interesting to see how the offense responds with Cassel at the helm. He has more experience than Christian Ponder, but he must avoid turnovers. Cassel threw 12 interceptions and only six touchdown passes in nine starts in Kansas City last season.

about the writer

Chip Scoggins

Columnist

Chip Scoggins is a sports columnist and enterprise writer for the Minnesota Star Tribune. He has worked at the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2000 and previously covered the Vikings, Gophers football, Wild, Wolves and high school sports.