Steelers Defense Scores More Than Offense To Defeat 6-0 Vikings 27-17

The Vikings came into Pittsburgh with a perfect 6-0 record. Their newly acquired quarterback, Brett Favre is having an MVP season. The Vikings all-pro running back, Adrian Peterson is leading the league in rushing yards. How can the Steelers possibly win? DEFENSE!

With Ben coming off a 400 yard passing game against the lowly Cleveland Browns, the Steelers looked to match the magic of Favre with their own air show. Ben is leading the league in passing which would seem to make the Steelers a different team than their history dictates. But, not so fast.

The Steelers have one of the top defenses in the NFL and so do the Minnesota Vikings. This game would have been a lot lower scoring if it weren't for the defenses and the Vikings special teams. No one could have predicted how these two teams offenses would let them down in the fourth quarter.

Each offense had only one touchdown and they both came in the second quarter. Adrian Peterson scored on a one yard TD plunge and Ben connected with Mike Wallace on a 40 yard touchdown strike. The only other offensive scoring would come from two field goals by the Steelers and one by the Vikings.

The Steelers offense scored 13 points and the defense would score 14 on a fourth quarter fumble recovery touchdown return by Woodley and a late game sealing interception by Fox that gave the Steelers a 27-17 victory over the previously unbeaten Vikings. Sandwiched in between those two defensive scores was an 88 yard kick return by Percy Harvin for the Vikings.

Although the Steelers defense allowed Brett Favre and the Vikings to gain 386 yards total offense, they shut down Peterson who only had 69 yards rushing. The Steelers have not allowed a 100 yard rusher this season. Brett Favre was 34-51 for 334 yards and no touchdowns for the first time this year. Ben Roethlisberger was 14-26 and 1 touchdown. See Steelers - Vikings week 7 Video Highlights.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2009 Schedule?

On paper the Pittsburgh Steelers had the toughest schedule in the NFL in 2008. They went 12-4 and beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 in Super Bowl XLIII. From what I can see, the 2009 Steelers schedule looks a whole lot easier. I think their strongest competition will come in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have a quarterback controversy to overcome, but they are probably the best team the Steelers will face. At least according to their 2008 record. The Chicago Bears have been improving and may be trouble for the Steelers if they overlook them. On week 7 we play the Minnesota Vikings who could be dangerous. They won their divsion in 2008 and beat the Arizona Cardinals 35-14. Brett Favre could be their quarterback if his surgery went well.

The Pittsbugh Steelers play 7 more non-divisional games against the San Diego Chargers, the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oakland Raiders, the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins. Out of these teams their may be 1 loss, but I doubt it. The only competition from our own division will be with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens were 11-5 and 2nd to the Steelers in the AFC North. We could end up splitting the 2 games we play with them, but we swept them last year. The other 2 teams in our division, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns have not improved enough to stop us from winning another AFC North division title. The Pittsburgh Steelers should go at least 13-3 in 2009. Look here for Pittsburgh Steelers merchandise.