Defense Rallies Steelers Over Vikings

NFL News - October 25th, 2009 - Written by John

The Pittsburgh defense saved the best for last.

After the Minnesota Vikings drove deep into Pittsburgh territory late in the fourth quarter, the Steelers forced two dramatic turnovers and returned them both for touchdowns to clinch a 27-17 win on Sunday. It was the Vikings first loss this season and allowed the win the much-anticipated game deemed a coin-flip by many betting sites.

The first turnover was a study in total team cohesion. With seven minutes left in the game, down 13-10, Favre was stripped on a four-man rush and the ball went bouncing several yards behind him. It was scooped up by Lamar Woodley, who then bumbled down the field towards the end zone. The fastest players on defense then rushed to his aid, trading blows to the persuing Vikings as Woodley weaved in-and-out of traffic. He went the final 20 yards untouched for a 77-yard score that turned out to be the game-winner, making it 20-10.

The Vikings quickly responded, however, when Percy Harvin made a case for special teams player of the week. On the ensuing kickoff, the rookie fielded the ball at the 12 and blew by the coverage, nearly running over kicker Jeff Reed, for his second special teams touchdown this year.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had to punt on their next drive, and Minnesota, again, got deep into Steelers territory before another costly turnover. The drive was set up by a long run by Adrian Peterson, who ran over a Pittsburgh defensive back on his way to a 29 yard gain to spot the ball at Pittsburgh's 26. But two plays later, Chester Taylor replaced Peterson in the backfield and let a screen pass slip through his finger tips. Keyaron Fox caught the deflection and it was deja vu all over again. Fox followed a wall of blockers and took it 82 yards to the house to emphatically seal the win.

The Steelers also had two big defensive stands at the goal line earlier in the game.

It spoiled a day in which Brett Favre was relatively good, throwing for 334 yards on 51 attempts. Sidney Rice had his second 100-yard game in a row with 136 and Peterson ran had 129 total yards and a touchdown.

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