Thursday 21 September 2017 23:02, UK
Minnesota Vikings' Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph is penning a weekly blog during the 2017 NFL season. In his latest offering, he talks about what it's like to score a touchdown, Adrian Peterson's return to Minnesota, and managing twins...
It's always awesome to get into the endzone. But especially so in our first game of the season, a big game on Monday Night Football.
Every year it seems like it takes forever for Week One to get here, and then when it does, you see teams play Thursday, all day Sunday, and you're still sitting there waiting for your opportunity.
But, kicking off on Monday Night Football is a lot of fun for other reasons. You get to play on national TV, when the whole world is watching, getting to see the first impression of your team. I thought we made a good one.
For us to go out there and get started on the right foot with a win was great. It's what we expect of ourselves, and it's only one win - we still have 15 more games to get to where we want to be this season - but to put that kind of performance down in Week One was really pleasing.
I thought Sam Bradford played awesome. He showed up. It was the guy that we get to see every day in practice but that the world hasn't really got to see yet, for whatever reason.
There's a why Sam he was the No 1 overall draft pick in 2010 - he's super talented. When, as a team, we give him time, keep him upright and clean in the pocket, he can make all the throws.
Our link up for a touchdown in the third quarter was huge! It put us up by three scores and, when you're going up against a team led by Drew Brees at quarterback, you need that kind of cushion. That made it even more special.
It was good to see my old team-mate Adrian Peterson back in Minnesota. He is one of the best competitors I've ever been around.
I didn't see anything at the time, but I've heard since about him getting fired up on the sidelines during the game. But, one of the things I don't think people realise is how competitive things get on the sidelines in the NFL - it's completely normal.
Obviously, he wanted to come back to Minnesota and show everyone he could still play and, as a result, maybe let his emotions get the better of him.
We didn't get too much time to revel in our opening win. Our attention was straight onto the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
I did get a little time to myself at home to relax after the game, though I have two 11-month old twins at home, Andersyn and Finley, so when I got back, I was put to work right away.
It was then back to training as usual during the week. The Steelers had all of Monday to recover and start preparing for Sunday's game, while we were still playing against the Saints. It's a short week for us but, no excuses; we've got to be ready to go.
For me, the trip to Pittsburgh is extra special. I grew up in Cincinnati, and the Bengals-Steelers rivalry is one of the best in football, so I grew up watching Steelers football when they'd come down every year to Cincinnati and play.
They have an incredible tradition there, winning six Super Bowl championships, so it will be a good test for us, going to their stadium and play in that hostile environment.
We travel down on Saturday afternoon. As long as I have my phone with me, headphones, and some tunes on, I can usually pass the time.
Week Two continues on Sunday with three live games on Sky Sports Action as well as RedZone on Sky Sports Mix - all the action gets underway from 5.30pm.
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