We're at halftime at Wembley Stadium, ladies and gentlemen, and the Minnesota Vikings lead the Pittsburgh Steelers by a count of 20-10.
The second quarter got off to a nice start for the Vikings, as they forced the Steelers into a second straight three-and-out. The Vikings took over at their own 40-yard line, and Adrian Peterson needed just one play from there, as he put together one of the nicest runs of his career, taking it in from 60 yards out to make the score 17-7 in favor of the "home" team.
The Vikings managed to sack Ben Roethlisberger twice on the ensuing Pittsburgh drive, but Big Ben just kept converting and moving the Steelers down the field, eventually getting them to first-and-goal from the 4. But the Minnesota defense stiffened up, thanks to Jared Allen getting to Roethlisberger again (he had 2.5 of the three sacks on the drive, splitting one with rookie Sharrif Floyd) and the Steelers wound up with nothing but a field goal to show for their nine-minute drive, as Shaun Suisham connected from 26 yards to make the score 17-10.
Minnesota took over and maneuvered down the field, thanks in part to a fortuitious bounce on a fumble by Matt Cassel that found its way into the hands of Jerome Simpson on a third down. The drive stalled just outside of the red zone, however, and Blair Walsh came in to connect on his second field goal of the day, this one from 37 yards out to put the Minnesota lead back to ten.
Thus far, Cassel has completed just 6-of-15 for 128 yards and the long touchdown. (Steelers' defensive back Ike Taylor should probably have a couple of interceptions, too.) The only two Vikings receivers with a catch thus far are Jennings (two for 76 yards and the 70-yard score in the first quarter) and Jerome Simpson (four grabs for 52 yards). Adrian Peterson has nine carries for 84 yards, including the aforementioned 60-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
That's where we stand at halftime, ladies and gentlemen. The Vikings have a lead at halftime again. . .can they hold on to this one? The third quarter will be getting underway shortly, with the Steelers getting the ball to start the second half of play.