Through three weeks, the 2-1 Pittsburgh Steelers had a problem. While the team’s offense looked stable with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, its defense seemed vulnerable. Entering Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, the Steelers’ defense allowed 25.7 points per game, good for 22nd in the NFL. After years of defensive dominance, it looked like the end for T.J. Watt and crew.

Turns out, the Steelers’ defense was written off way too soon. The team got back to its aggressive ways, for the most part, during a tight 24-21 win over the Vikings in Week 4 in Dublin, Ireland.

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While Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense deserve credit for getting the team out to an early 14-3 lead, its defense really put the game away. Vikings starting quarterback Carson Wentz was harassed by Steelers defenders all day. Wentz took six sacks in the loss, but was pressured many other times during the contest.

Early on, Wentz was able to handle the pressure. He started the game, the NFL’s first ever in Ireland, 11 for 11 before his first incompletion. Unfortunately for Wentz, that incompletion turned out to be an interception after his second-quarter pass was tipped at the line.

It wasn’t Wentz’s only turnover in the game. In the third quarter, Wentz had another ball tipped at the line and intercepted. Pressure by the Steelers’ defense may have caused the turnover, as Wentz was sacked on the two plays prior to the interception. Wentz wasn’t pressured on the actual play, but may have been sped up after taking two consecutive sacks.

Five plays later, the Steelers added yet another touchdown, putting the team up 21-6. While it was technically a two-score game, the deficit felt much larger thanks to the Steelers’ dominant defense.

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After a field goal by the Steelers pushed the lead even higher, it appeared the contest was over. But Wentz and company finally hit their stride late. With their backs against the wall, Wentz threw a touchdown and converted a two-point conversion to make it a 10-point game.

The Steelers drove down the field on the next drive, but failed a fourth-down conversion deep in the Vikings’ territory.

With the Vikings backed up on their own goal line, Wentz found Jordan Addison on a blown coverage for an 81-yard gain. A few plays later, Wentz threw a touchdown to make it a three-point game.

The Steelers failed to run out the clock, turning the ball back to the Vikings for a possible game-winning drive with just over a minute left. After nearly throwing an interception on the first play of that drive, Wentz was able to take advantage of some defensive miscues to move the Vikings up the field.

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But the Steelers defenders eventually found a way. Wentz was pressured into an intentional grounding, moving the Vikings back and cutting 10 seconds off the clock. With 28 seconds left,

Wentz can’t be fully blamed for his performance, as the Vikings sustained two significant injuries to their offensive line during the contest. The team came into the game missing its starting left guard, Donovan Jackson, due to a wrist injury. In the first quarter, the team also lost starting right tackle Brian O’Neill to a knee injury. Later, center Ryan Kelly left the game due to a concussion. O’Neill and Kelly were eventually ruled out of the contest. The absences of all three players left Wentz under siege the entire game.

He finished the contest 30 of 46 for 350 passing yards. Wentz turned the ball over twice with two interceptions.

With the loss, the Vikings need to find a way to regroup. After a phenomenal win with Wentz under center in Week 3, the team took a major step back Sunday. Were the Vikings’ struggles due to Wentz’s play, injuries to the offensive line or a combination of both? With starter JJ McCarthy still sidelined, the team will need to answer those questions before he’s ready to return.

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The win pushes the Steelers to 3-1 on the season. After playing their most complete game all year for three quarters, Pittsburgh will head into its bye week. The team will return to action in Week 6, when it takes on the division rival Cleveland Browns.

That could prove to be a season-defining game for the Steelers. If the team’s defense can carry over the gains it showed in the first three quarters Sunday, the Steelers would announce themselves as serious contenders in a tough AFC.

Pittsburgh’s defense has been capable of carrying the team to strong records in recent seasons, but the addition of Rodgers finally gives the team an average offense.

While the team finally realized its offseason vision Sunday, it was short-lived. How the Steelers respond in Week 6 could define the rest of the season in Pittsburgh.

Vikings vs. Steelers live blog

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Steelers and Vikings open up the Sunday game slate in Week 4.