MANKATO, Minn. -- It is a timeworn maxim but one befitting Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon.
"The game's slowing down, which is allowing me to play at a higher level," McKinnon said Tuesday.
The second-year pro started over preseason passenger Adrian Peterson and made one of the niftiest plays among Minnesota's starters in Sunday's humdrum 14-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On second-and-8 from midfield, McKinnon caught a swing pass from Teddy Bridgewater at the line of scrimmage. Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats swarmed, but instead of tackling McKinnon he ended up empty-handed on the turf.
McKinnon faked Moats inside and darted around him along the sideline for a 13-yard gain.