The Minnesota Vikings defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-28 on the last play of the game, forcing an incomplete throw in the end zone.
In his quicker-than-expected comeback from a shoulder injury, Dalvin Cook ran for 205 yards and two scores, and the Minnesota Vikings upset the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-28 on Thursday night by forcing an incomplete throw in the end zone on the last play.
Although Ben Roethlisberger’s pass to Pat Freiermuth was on target, Anthony Barr and Harrison Smith ploughed into the rookie tight end at the exact right time to dislodge the ball and give the Vikings (6-7) a crucial victory after almost blowing a 29-0 lead late in the third quarter.
After the game was ultimately secured, Smith took his helmet off, exhibiting a look of fatigue rather than exhilaration. Minnesota has lost all but one of their games this season by eight points or less, including four defeats by three points or less.
“With this club, never say ‘over,'” said coach Mike Zimmer, who saw the Vikings fall 29-27 to previously winless Detroit on a final-play touchdown throw last week.
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The Steelers have done considerably better in tight games this season, but they weren’t attempting to overcome 29-point deficits in those prior scenarios.
Roethlisberger added, “We’re running out of time.” “I’m not interested in moral wins.”
Cook’s 17-yard reception on a seam route on third-and-9 from the Minnesota 26 with 2:38 remaining was just as important as all the grass he tore up on the ground. After Jordan Berry pinned a punt deep against his old club, the Steelers had to utilise all of their timeouts, leaving Roethlisberger with 96 yards and 2:16 to go.
To get to midfield, Roethlisberger hit Chase Claypool for 48 yards as Bashaud Breeland was committing pass interference. Claypool hauled in a fourth-and-1 slant to get the Steelers to the Minnesota 34, but he lost the Steelers a few seconds by celebrating the first down instead of giving the ball to the official.
Diontae Johnson set up the last play from the 12 by running a crossing route 12 yards out of bounds, but the Steelers (6-1) fell just short this time after failing on a 2-point conversion attempt earlier in the fourth quarter. They overcame Baltimore 20-19 last week after thwarting a 2-point shot with 12 seconds left.
Mike Tomlin, the coach, was not pleased with the comeback.
“We were JV again tonight,” Tomlin remarked, “and I’m talking up front on both sides.”
T.J. Watt, the NFL’s leading sacks leader, hurt his groyne early in the second quarter and did not return. In the first half, the Vikings enjoyed a 300-66 total yardage edge.
In the second half, Roethlisberger, who had been sacked five times, completed touchdown passes to Najee Harris, James Washington, and Freiermuth. As the Steelers rebounded from an atrocious start, Harris rushed for a touchdown as well.
Kirk Cousins was intercepted twice after halftime by Ahkello Witherspoon, who fueled the comeback. Minnesota’s passing offence was out of rhythm with Adam Thielen missing due to an ankle injury.
Cousins completed 14 of 31 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Justin Jefferson in the first quarter and K.J. Osborn for a 62-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it 36-20.
COOKING ON THE SPOT
Cook lined up in the backfield and had the most rushing space he’d seen all season, only 11 days after dislocating his shoulder and missing last week’s defeat at previously winless Detroit. Cook rushed for 153 yards in the first half, setting a club record with just 14 carries. The Steelers had the league’s highest average yards per carry (5.0).
With their zone blocking strategy, the Vikings crushed the Steelers, creating enormous spaces for Cook to explode through while minimising contact with his still-healing shoulder. In the first quarter, the Vikings averaged more than 10 yards per play.
Cook stated, “Once I tell ’em I’m good, I’m good.”
EXTREMELY WIDE
The Vikings only hit a snag when Greg Joseph missed a 53-yard field goal to the left and missed his first extra point attempt wide right. Chris Boswell also missed a 49-yard field goal attempt to the left, ending a string of 20 consecutive field goals for the Steelers. This was the first NFL game with two failed field goals and a missed extra point in the first quarter since at least 1991, according to Sportradar statistics for this study.
REPORT OF AN INJURY
Steelers: Cornerback Joe Haden (foot) has missed his fourth game in a row. John Leglue got his first NFL start as left guard, replacing in for B.J. Finney (back). With Kevin Dotson and J.C. Hassenauer on injured reserve, Leglue became the fourth starter at LG this season. OLB Alex Highsmith (knee) left the game in the third quarter after suffering an injury.
LT for the Vikings For the second game in a row, Christian Darrisaw (ankle) was unable to play. Darrisaw was replaced by Oli Udoh, who started as right guard for Udoh. Covering the second-half kickoff, backup LB Ryan Connelly seemed to suffer a major knee injury.
COMING UP NEXT
On December 19, the Steelers will face the Tennessee Titans. They’ve won four of their past five games at home.
On December 20, the Vikings travel to Chicago, giving them a 10-day break between games.
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source : dailyunion
