Vikings: Jerick McKinnon gets faster as game slows

Minnesota running back Jerick McKinnon takes snaps during warmups before the Vikings game against Chicago at Soldier Field in Chicago on Nov. 16, 2014. (Pioneer Press: John Autey)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…