Steelers 18, Minnesota Vikings 3
December 18, 2005
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Defense ruled the day for the Steelers, holding the Vikings, who were on a six-game winning streak, to only a field goal.
The defense forced three turnovers and scored a safety as they led the way for the team.
“I have to be careful not to get the penalty out there, I’m on the field half the time yelling and screaming,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of showing support to the defense. “But, it’s so much fun to watch our defense play, especially when they are clicking like they were today.”
A stingy defense allowed the Vikings just 54 yards, including only 43 yards on 11 carries by running back Michael Bennett. Quarterback Brad Johnson also had only 16 completions for 143 yards and was intercepted twice. In addition, kickoff coverage was strong and special teams came through.
In the second quarter, with the teams tied at 3-3, Joey Porter intercepted Johnson at the Steelers five-yard line to kill the Vikings potential scoring drive.
After both teams exchanged possessions, it would be special teams that would provide the perfect setup. Antwaan Randle El returned a punt 72 yards to the Vikings 14-yard line, providing a much-needed spark.
“First thing is I think our defense and our special teams, I can’t say enough about them,” said Coach Bill Cowher. “We had a couple of turnovers. I think the big stand we obviously had on the punt was key. Holding them to a field goal was huge in the beginning of the game. I thought special teams did a great job.
“We made enough plays on offense. We knew we had a tough place to come up to. They are a good football team.
“Our coverage teams did a good job. Jeff (Reed) did a good job kicking it. He squibbed it one time. We blipped it one time. We were just trying to disrupt their timing because they are a pretty special kickoff return group. Like I said our punt coverage did a great job. Obviously, we had a big return by (Antwaan Randle) El. I thought that was a big turning point in the game on the punt return in the first half Those guys came in key today.”
The only touchdown of the game came on a three-yard run by quarterback Roethlisberger in the second quarter, to give the Steelers a 10-3 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
“Every game now is played like a playoff game,” said Roethlisberger. “We know if we do get lucky enough to make the playoffs, it’s going to be on the road. That’s why we are treating this as a road playoff game, in a dome where it’s loud and it was important for us to come out and get this win. We said it over and over, it’s a one game season for us.”
Steelers 27, Minnesota Vikings 17
October 25, 2009
Heinz Field (Now Acrisure Stadium)
There are games when the offense carries a team, and there are games when it’s the defense that does.
On this day, in a game that had Ben Roethlisberger facing Hall of Famer Brett Favre, it was the defense that carried the Steelers to victory.
The Minnesota Vikings came to Pittsburgh with a 6-0 record, looking to keep their streak going. But the defense would have no parts of it.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Steelers held a slim 13-10 lead. But the fireworks were about to start.
Favre drove the Vikings to the eight-yard line, where he was sacked by defensive lineman Brett Keisel, forcing a fumble. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley recovered and took off running, going 77 yards for a touchdown and a 20-10 lead.
“I saw the ball come out and I saw it laying on the ground,” said Woodley. “My thought process was fall on it, or else pick it up. I decided to pick it up. I was taking a chance. But then, when you pick it up, you might as well get what you can get and make something out of it. I made a touchdown out of it.”
Before Woodley and everyone else had a chance to catch their breath, the fireworks ensued. On the next play Percy Harvin took the kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, bringing the Vikings right back in it at 20-17.
After the Vikings held off the Steelers’ offense, it was up to the defense again. Favre did what he does best, driving his team to the 19-yard line. With a big play needed, the defense came through again. Linebacker Keyaron Fox, playing for Lawrence Timmons who left the game with an ankle injury, picked off Favre and returned it 82 yards for the touchdown and 27-17 lead.
The Vikings had one last gasp, but linebacker James Harrison sacked Favre on the final play of the game to seal the win.
Offensively the numbers weren’t pretty, but the defense did what they needed to get the win.
“We’re pretty fortunate to win that football game to say the least,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “When you look at the stat sheet and you look at some of the things that happened in that game, usually you don’t win those. They pounded a couple in on us, but we stayed in the fight, guys didn’t blink and to their credit, we were able to win the game.
“When you put up a couple of splash plays defensively, you put 14 points on the board defensively, you can overcome a lot of errors. We were far from a perfect team, but we won.”