Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers Postgame Analysis

Final Score:

Steelers 26 – Vikings 9

Passing Stats:

Quarterback	Completion	Attempts	Yards	QBRating
Ben Roethlisberger	23	35	243	104.8
Case Keenum	20	37	168	66.0

Steelers Receiving Stats:

Martavis Bryant: 3 receptions for 91 yards – 1 touchdown

Antonio Brown: 5 receptions for 62 yards

Eli Rogers: 4 receptions for 43 yards

Jesse James: 4 receptions for 27 yards

Juju Smith-Schuster: 3 receptions for 16 yards – 1 Touchdown

Kicking Stats:

Chris Boswell – 4 for 4, PCT: 100%, PTS: 14

Game Summary:

On a hot, humid and emotional day at Heinz Field, where the late Dan Rooney was commemorated at the beginning of the game, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense shut down the Minnesota Vikings offense en route to another victory. From the opening snap and for the majority game, the Steelers’ pass rush came fast and furiously. Rookie outside linebacker TJ Watt set the tone early with a batted ball and brought the pressure often to the Vikings replacement quarterback Case Keenum; he would later leave the game with a groin injury. Third year outside linebacker Bud Dupree, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury last week, accounted for a sack, while second year safety Sean Davis led his team with 8 total tackles.

Blocking @Bud_Dupree?

Best of luck… pic.twitter.com/0xThm34mKO

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 17, 2017

On offense, receiver Martavis Bryant was very productive as he accounted for 91 receiving yards and a touchdown that gave the Steelers the early lead.

This is what happens when you get @ThaBestUNO the with room to work…

Six points! #HereWeGo #MINvsPIT pic.twitter.com/jVkOBr6AU2

— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2017

All pro running back Le’Veon Bell had a relatively slow start as the Vikings defense was able to get to him often. Bell eventually found a way to find his rhythm and ended with 87 yards on 27 carries. Coming into this game, everyone was anticipating the matchup between All Pro Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes, and Steelers All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown. Rhodes managed to relegate Brown to just 62 receiving yards, but was also caught on a holding penalty which help Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense extend their drive on the first touchdown. Overall it was not one of the Steelers best offensive games, but the Steelers defense has been impressive, posting back-to-back multi-sack games and restricting the Vikings quarterback to only 168 yards.

Play of the Game

Stars of the Game

Martavis Bryant:

With the Vikings defensive gameplan to shut down Antonio Brown, the Steelers needed another reliable target; they found it in Martavis Bryant. The 6’4 receiver was looking to make an impact after a pedestrian game last week against the Cleveland Browns. Bryant accounted for the Steelers first touchdown, and the biggest play of the game; a 51 yard reception to that placed the Steelers in the Vikings red zone.

Chris Boswell:

Chris Boswell has proven to be one of the most reliable field goal kickers in Steelers history. Today, Boswell accounted for 14 of the Steelers 26 points, including the Steelers last 12 points. Time and time again when the Steelers needed crucial points, Boswell has been able to deliever on a consistent basis.

Tyson Alualu:

Tyson’s contributions may not necessarily show up on a stat sheet, but he was a force in the middle, and played a tremendous role in relegating Vikings star rookie running back Dalvin Cook to only 64 rushing yards. So far this year, the former first round pick has put together strong performances in the first two weeks of the season.

TJ Watt:

Before exiting the game with a minor groin injury, Watt once again was making life difficult for the Vikings offense. He accounted for several quarterback pressures, a pass deflection and 2 tackles. In a very short period of time, Watt has been a key member of the Steelers defense, and one of the biggest reasons for this success thus far in the 2017 NFL season.