To round off the Hall of Fame weekend, football is making a comeback!

So forget about whether balls were deflated or not. Controversy is back on the football field – where it belongs.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game is the opening NFL preseason game, marking the end of six torturous months of life without football. As always, the game will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, in Canton, Ohio, which is adjacent to the Hall of Fame building where all the ceremonial proceedings take place.

This year’s game will feature the Minnesota Vikings, whose last Canton appearance was in 1997, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who last made an appearance in 2007. It will be the Vikings’ fourth appearance, whilst the Steelers will be participating for the sixth time in the Hall of Fame Game. Both of these teams have the luxury of playing five preseason games – because four just isn’t enough.

London played host to the last match-up between the two in 2013, as the Vikings came out on top 34-27 in an enthralling game. The victory was, of course, thanks to no other than Adrian Peterson, who ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns that day, including a massive 60-yard run.

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has remained coy about just how much his starters will play, if at all. Peterson is unlikely to play, which would have been the most exciting thing about this game. Teddy Bridgewater is likely to play two series before taking a seat.

Pittsburgh are resting a whole host of star players and pacing them for the long season ahead. So far, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell, wide receiver Antonio Brown, tight end Heath Miller, center Maurkice Pouncey and outside linebacker James Harrison are among the players sitting out the game against the Vikings. It’s not uncommon for star players to miss the start of preseason to regain full fitness.

First-round pick Trae Waynes will be a player to watch for the Vikings as he’s certainly progressed and matured in training camp from the last time the Vikings saw him at OTAs. Along with the rest of the Vikings draftees, who will be looking to impress early on after being hailed as one of the Vikings’ best draft classes in recent memory.

Likewise, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh’s first-round pick, Bud Dupree. The Steelers have always been known for their defensive stoutness, but it’s their highly talented offensive unit that’s become their biggest asset of late.

Preseason is about prioritising player development and keeping star players healthy, but it’s also a chance for players on the fringe of a roster to make an impact and get their name on the 53-man roster for week one of the season.