Player of the game: Inside linebacker James Farrior.
LaMarr Woodley and Keyaron Fox had a fumble return and an interception return for a touchdown, respectively, so they cancel each other out.
Plus, Farrior played one of his best games ever as a Steeler, and that is saying something.
Farrior had a game-high 15 tackles as well as a sack. He also loomed large in the goal-line stand the Steelers made in the third quarter.
Farror and Fox combined on the tackle that stopped running back Adrian Peterson short of the end zone. He also had the coverage on the passes that fell incomplete on second and third down, forcing the Vikings to settle for an 18-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell.
“He’s our defensive captain and leader,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “He’s one heck of one to boot, he’s always ready to play. The stage is never too big for James.”
Play of the game: Brett Keisel’s strip and Woodley’s 77-yard fumble return.
How badly did the Steelers and their defense need Woodley’s first NFL touchdown?
They had allowed the Vikings to drive from their own 3-yard line to the Steelers’ 8-yard line in the fourth quarter of a three-point game. They had also allowed Minnesota to convert three times on third down, including once when the Vikings needed 18 yards to move the chains.
With Favre poised to get the Vikings into the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown, Keisel knocked the ball out of the veteran quarterback's right hand. That set the stage for Woodley, who followed his blocks as if he were a seasoned running back and weaved his way for the Steelers’ first defensive touchdown of the season.
“Coach (Dick) LeBeau always preaches ‘If you get an interception or pick up a fumble everybody turn and block somebody,’ ” Woodley said. “That’s what we do in practice, so when it comes to the games it’s just natural.”
Hit of the game: Ryan Clark’s welcome-to-the-NFL-rookie shot.
Wide receiver Percy Harvin flashed open in the middle of the field near the end of the third quarter. But the rookie sensation couldn’t hold onto Favre’s third-down pass after Clark lit him up.
Harvin stayed down after the hit. Unfortunately for the Steelers, nobody came close to hitting him in the fourth quarter when Harvin returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown.
Telling statistic: Time of possession
The Vikings had the ball for almost 14 minutes more than the Steelers, which explains why the reigning Super Bowl champions were rather quiet on offense — and had one less touchdown than their defense.
“We had a couple of three and outs and things of that nature,” Tomlin said. “You’re not going to find a rhythm within games like that. We didn’t have enough snaps.”
Need to fix: Kickoff coverage team.
The Steelers allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown for a second consecutive week, and it almost cost them dearly.
“I’m going to get it fixed,” Tomlin said, “whether it’s schematics, people or both.”
Notable quotes
“Since y’all had wrote us off as defense earlier maybe you guys think that but we’re just playing man, having fun. This game’s supposed to be fun and we got back to that. Quit worry about making sure we stop people in the fourth quarter because you heard about it so much. Now it’s just time to play football and enjoy it.” – Clark on if the Steelers needed a game where the defense closed out the opposition.
“We’ve got to be able to pick each other up, and they did it today. I’m really happy with the way they played. It was fun.” – Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the Steelers’ defense.
“More than anything they trust how what they do fits in the big picture or the big scheme of things. We very rarely have people out of place. They’re usually where they’re supposed to be, seeing things they’re supposed to be, and when you do that and combine that with the energy and enthusiasm big plays happen and thankfully they happened for us today.” – Tomlin on the opportunistic defense.
“He had just got smashed by James Harrison. I don’t know if he was in the mood to talk.” – Roethlisberger on his brief chat with Favre after the games.
“I thought about doing a dance and my body wouldn’t let me.” – Woodley on his 77-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
Next up: Lots of rest.
The Steelers get a bye next weekend and don’t return to action until they visit unbeaten Denver on Nov. 9.
That will give injured players such as outside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (ankle) and defensive end Travis Kirschke (calf) extra time to heal as well as strong safety Troy Polamalu, who played with a brace on the knee that he sprained in the Steelers’ season opener.
October 25th, 2009 - 11:46 pm
Scott: I hate to disagree with you but Woodley had a fumble return TD last year against Baltimore after Harrison stripped Flacco of the ball early in the 2nd half that helped rally us to a win.
October 26th, 2009 - 2:19 am
This was a good very close game one in which from an offensive standpoint, we are lucky to get out with a win. but i believe we just witnessed the preview of the upcoming SUPERBOWL XL4. Rashard Mendenhall needs to take the entire defense out to a steak dinner, thet bailed him out BIG TIME, A NOTE to Tomlin. THANK YOU for taking mendenhall out after his latest fumble. this guy has proven , at least TO ME, that he can-not play football at this level. WE need to find a reliable running back, one who doesn't drop the rock every 12 touches.
October 26th, 2009 - 9:30 am
Whoa, Chill about Mendenhall. He played an awesome game yesterday. The fumble was a dumb move. He can play very well at the NFL level. He ran very effectively against the top run defense. I'm sure that his focus for the Bye will be on not fumbling. Willie has had his case of the fumbles too.
October 26th, 2009 - 10:02 am
The over-the-top adulation the TV commentators gave Favre during the game was sickening.
October 26th, 2009 - 10:33 am
Rashard had 69 yds on 10 carries. Adrian had 69 yds. on 18 carries. Something tells me when you concentrate on not fumbling instead of just playing you are going to fumble. The coaches were altering the way he carries the ball and was he carrying it his way or theirs? Or in between? Diving over the defensive line is an invitation for a strip. Tiki Barber had a fumbling problem and got it straightened out. Give Mendenhall some time before branding him. I think he will be fine.
October 26th, 2009 - 12:48 pm
Is anyone else concerned that B.A.'s attempts to be unpredictable on first down has made the offense predictable? The time of possession battle was lost, and no rhythm was established because of the number of three-and-outs that were three passing attempts.
Fine, "fool" the D by passing on first down occasionally, but when that doesn't work, do something on second down to ensure a makeable third down. What is most alarming about this is that the running game was working. BA, you're outsmarting yourself.
Peace,
Greg
October 26th, 2009 - 2:08 pm
William, that has been the case, since Favre came back. Every talking head seems to to have a man crush on him. His football smarts make a difference for the Vikes, but he's prone to mistakes like any other human.
However, I would like to point out the superb and increasingly improving play of our offensive line They opened up nice little lanes on the best run defense in the league for Mendenhall, who took full advantage of them until his fumble.
Our bye is coming at the perfect time.
I would imagine that if our running game continues to improve, and this defense finishes out the season the way they're playing and with Big Ben and the O-line playing the way they are, this team, all of a sudden looks unstoppable. If we start to peak come playoff time, our opposition has some tough sledding coming up against this team!
I'm saying that we're a major Super Bowl contender right now, we just need to allow it to all come together.
October 26th, 2009 - 2:11 pm
Why did the Steelers keep trying to throw the ball when the Vikes were playing cover two with 6-7 players in the secondary? For the first time this season, the Steelers only faced 5-6 in the box throughout the game.
Arians and Ben should have adjusted to a steady diet of run instead of trying to force the passing game with so many Vikes playing pass. Steelers had great success running because the Vikes were overly committed to defending the pass.
Arians needs to make these mid-game adjustments and not just throw the ball because it's the game plan they came up with on Wednesday. Need smarter more agile thinking on offense.
October 26th, 2009 - 2:15 pm
When is Favre going to be chiseled into Mt. Rushmore? If it were up to Darryl Johnston and the rest of those morons on Sunday, he would already be there. Wow, does the NFL tell these broadcasters to lay it on thick when they talk about Favre?
A few times during the game, I had the feeling that he was right up there with Jesus for his compassion, Merlin for his trickery and the Patton for his bravery!
Favre must be some mix of all the legendary people in time. He has to be for anyone to actually treat him this way after all his ego-maniacal ways over the past few years.
People thought Sugar Ray Leonard was bad. Enough about Favre. Hall of Famer for sure, but he is not what he used to be and his gunslinging ways are just as much a hindrance as a help nowadays.
October 26th, 2009 - 7:46 pm
How much time does he need? This guy is a paid professional. We all have seen Ben Roethlisberger dive time and time again for a touchdown and he doesn't fumble.
Moore doesn't get that many carries a game. How many times has he fumbled? Between 34 and 39, they have more fumbles than Bettis does his whole career! Why do you all hold Rashard's hands when I tell the truth about him: He fumbles and fumbles a lot. I guess you all are saying the defense didn't bail us out!
October 26th, 2009 - 7:52 pm
For a draft pick as high as he went, he has been disappointing. That's all I have to say.
I know he has to get the fumbles out of his head, but man you know this thing about the coaches telling him to carry the rock a certain way like high into his chest, and using that as an excuse — I just don't buy into that. He was fumbling the way he carries it too, so, that means nothing.
October 27th, 2009 - 10:02 am
Rashard Mendenhall will help this team. He is not Jerome Bettis, however I can not think of any running back in this league with the exception of AP in Minnesota that runs with the agressiveness that Rashard runs. He will be fine, the fumbles will be fixed. He has the most devistating spin move that I've seen, and does an outstanding job of blocking for Ben when called upon. You have a back here that has speed, explosion, can block and can catch the ball and bowl over linebackers as well as secondary defenders. We are averaging 113 yards per rush per game since he has been playing, look at his yards per carry. Compare that to last year to our entire backfield's performance. He gives us more flexibility in our offense than without him. Soon our use of M.Moore in the 4th qtr for a safety valve will diminish. Rashard is definaletly not the concern on offense. Our biggest concern on offense is sustained drives and putting our opponents away for good, that includes all of the players. We will get it right, and keep it that way, it starts in Denver folks!
October 27th, 2009 - 11:04 am
Two off the topic questions. Can anyone tell me why we have to watch the Dallas Cowboys on Fox or CBS every Sunday in Dayton Ohio? Can anyone tell me when the Steelers next face the Carolina Panthers? It will be weird facing Bill Cowhwer in black and blue.
October 27th, 2009 - 2:34 pm
the reason this team played cover 2 and only had 5 or 6 in the box is because they know we don't have a running back who can impose his will on thier defense. for any defense for that matter. our run game lacks personel and consistency. mainly personel. and the week before Ben had a 400 yard day, teams are now turning thier focus on our passing game because with bettis, when did the steelers go consecutive games without 100 yards rushing, that is becoming more frequent these days, but like #7 says, we ain't the Steelers of the 70's
October 27th, 2009 - 7:37 pm
All the Mendenhall doubters will be singing his praises within 2 years. He gives us what Willie Parker can't...a runner that can run up the middle and actually GAIN yardage.
October 27th, 2009 - 8:45 pm
I'd say some of you folks lack patience, don't you?
Mendenhall was a full-time starter for ONE season at Illinois (averaged less than 6 carries a game before then), was drafted at the age of 20, played 4 games then went on IR last year - how about giving the guy a chance to develop?
How long did it take James Harrison take to reach the pinnacle he's achieved? How about Terry Bradshaw?
Take a deep breath and give the kid a chance to learn the game. Not everyone is an instant hit - in the NFL players rarely are (check Payton Mannings stats @ two years - 59% completion, 52 TDs, 43 INTs, 9 fumbles, W-L 16-16).
That does not mean they're a bust or a failure.
October 29th, 2009 - 4:50 am
you mendenhall olics are missing the point, FUMBLES, FUMBLES, FUMBLES. FOX, and WOODLEY bailed this guy out in a close game hint, without those two returns for touchdowns, instead of going into the bye with a win, we could be wondering what could have been for 2 weeks, without those two returns we could be 4-3 and not 5-2, time to develop is to say take Mike Wallace out of the line up to give Limas Sweed time to develope. give me a break. I was a fan of Rasards there, but I noticed something that obviously you all have missed, and missed badly. Rashard drops the ball more consistently then he has 100 yard games. Look at his history, and ask yourself why he wasn't selected higher, I garantee you all he won't last long in Pittsburgh dropping the ball. I feel sorry for you though, because you all are blind to this fact, when he fumbled at the 5 against the Vikings this week, he wasn't even hit hard, Ward gets hit from three different angles and he doesn't lose the ball, not even in his rookie years or earlier days. when Ward was a slot reciever I watched him, and said he would make the starting line up. No my brothrens, Rashard drops to frequently for me, if I were KC I would see what trade value I could get for him. see you all in two weeks, maybe Rashard will be made to carry a ball around during this bye.
October 29th, 2009 - 4:55 am
Bill Cowher is a foregone after thought. I mean his work is appreciated, but he isn't the coach any more, it will be interesting if we faced him but going against ken whisenhunt was more intriguingto me.