Minnesota's defense held Pittsburgh's offense to just 1 of 7 on third down during the game's first 30 minutes. That confusion led to several clean shots on Roethlisberger, who suffered a nasty blindside sack from Harrison during the first half. Throughout the first half, the Vikings' constant pre-snap motion on defense often led to confusion from Pittsburgh's young offensive line. Here's a closer look at what transpired in the Twin Cities. The Vikings made sure the Steelers wouldn't get any closer when Harrison and Woods combined to break up Roethlisberger's pass on the game's final play. The Steelers' defense then forced a punt before Pittsburgh moved from their own four to the Vikings' 12-yard line. It became a one-score game when Roethlisberger connected with Diontae Johnson on the two-point try. Pittsburgh refused to go away, however, as Witherspoon's second pick on Minnesota's ensuing possession set up Roethlisberger's 15-yard touchdown pass to Freiermuth. Cousins, who received stellar protection on the play, lofted a perfect pass to Osborn, who outmuscled Cam Sutton for the ball before racing into the end zone. Osborn's 62-yard touchdown grab that extended the Vikings' lead to 16 points. It remained a two-score game, however, when the Steelers' offense came up short on their two-point try. After a quick three-and-out by the Vikings' offense, the Steelers scored their third unanswered touchdown when James Washington pulled down a 30-yard strike from Roethlisberger. Harris found the end zone less than three minutes later on a 1-yard run that was set up Ahkello Witherspoon's interception of Kirk Cousins. The score was 29-0 before the Steelers scored their first points of the game on Harris' 3-yard touchdown catch from Roethlisberger with 2:11 left in the third quarter. The Vikings' defense recorded four sacks of Roethlisberger in the first half while holding Najee Harris to just 17 yards on seven carries. Minnesota's defense bewildered a Pittsburgh offense that gained just 66 yards on 26 plays during the first half.
The two-time Pro Bowl running back accounted for more than half of Minnesota's 300 total yards during the first half. Cook gave Minnesota a 23-0 halftime lead on his 7-yard touchdown run with 2:20 left until halftime.Ĭook gashed the Steelers to the tune of 153 yards on just 14 carries during the game's first 30 minutes. Cook's 29-yard touchdown run stretched the Vikings' lead to 16-0 with less than 10 minutes left in the first half. Jefferson's 14-yard touchdown catch opened the scoring. But the Vikings cashed in on their next four drives that included touchdowns by Cook and receiver Justin Jefferson.
Pittsburgh's comeback was led by Roethlisberger, who went 28 of 40 for 308 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.īoth teams missed field goals after moving the ball on their opening drives. Cook, who played despite dealing with a dislocated left shoulder, rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.
But safeties Harrison Smith and Xavier Woods were able to jar the ball free from Freiermuth's grasp, preserving the Vikings' 36-28 victory.ĭalvin Cook spearheaded the Vikings' strong start. With three seconds left and 12 yards from paydirt Ben Roethlisberger found Pat Freiermuth in the middle of the end zone. Down 29-0, the Steelers scored 28 of the game's next 35 points and had a chance to put themselves in position tie the score on the game's final play. The Vikings nearly delivered a knockout before having to hold off a furious comeback attempt by the visiting Steelers on Thursday night.