Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert

PITTSBURGH -- Finally. After a defensive struggle/offensive bumble for most of the first half, we saw Minnesota and Pittsburgh run up and down the field during the latter part of the second quarter.

The Steelers took a 10-7 halftime lead because, well, they had the ball last. (Unless you count coach Brad Childress’ somewhat curious decision to kneel on the ball with 24 seconds and one timeout left.)

Here’s what I think about the first 30 minutes:

• Both quarterbacks got into a rhythm in the second quarter. The Vikings’ Brett Favre led a 76-yard drive, capped by Adrian Peterson’s 2-yard touchdown run. And Ben Roethlisberger more than doubled his yardage total by throwing for 85 yards on a 91-yard drive that ended with his 40-yard scoring strike to receiver Mike Wallace. Both quarterbacks have attempted 19 passes. Favre has completed 10 for 92 yards, while Roethlisberger has 11 completions for 120 yards.
• The Vikings’ defense played admirably without cornerback Antoine Winfield for most of the first half, sacking Roethlisberger twice and tipping three of his passes at the line of scrimmage. But as you saw at the end of the half, the Vikings still miss Winfield. They had a chance at two interceptions on the drive, and Wallace’s scoring reception was reminiscent of the kind of plays Baltimore made for most of last week against the Vikings.
• I’ll be interested to see if the Vikings can keep up if this becomes a shootout. I still think the Vikings’ best hope is to slow down the game with a steady diet of Peterson, but he’s been inconsistent. Peterson has a 15-yard run but only 16 yards on his other 10 carries.
• Part of the reason the Vikings might have a hard time keeping up is the awful field position they’ve had in this game. Here’s where their drives have started thus far: The 28, 18, 17, 18 and 24.