The Steelers Are Still In A Fog After Leaving London Losers

Ben Roethlisberger Loses The Ball Again

       With the Pittsburgh Steelers off to their worst start in 45 years, Ben Roethlisberger isn't mincing words about where the team stacks up against the rest of the NFL. "Right now, you could say we're the worst team in the league," after Pittsburgh fell 34-27 to the Minnesota Vikings at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. "That hurts." The Steelers' defense gave up nearly 400 yards and again failed to force a turnover. Pittsburgh is without a takeaway this season.

        Roethlisberger was sacked five times and harassed all game by Jared Allen and the Vikings, the Steelers dropped to 0-4, their worst start since 1968, when they lost their first six games en route to a 2-11-1 record. “We are in uncharted territory, and the water is dangerous right now. It stings. I have to hope and believe we can turn it around. That's the approach I'm going to take this week and next week. I'm going to do the best I can to lead these guys and let them see how I go about my job. ”

         Roethlisberger, who has won two Super Bowls with Pittsburgh, acknowledged that this is the lowest point of his career. Roethlisberger completed 36 of 51 passes for 383 yards and one touchdown but also had one interception and a fumble on Sunday. The fumble came in the final seconds after he led the Steelers from their 22 to a first-and-goal at Minnesota's 6. "I felt like we made good strides on offense," Roethlisberger said. "It's just hard to say that and to feel very good about yourself after a loss."

         With a bye week before facing the New York Jets on Oct. 13 and perhaps mainly pride left to play for, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin put players on notice that jobs could be at stake. "I have great patience," he said. "The team will work to get better. As long as I see belief and effort and we continue to improve, that's what's going to change the outcome of these games. If I don't, [they] ain't going to be a part of it, whoever it may be. It's that simple."The challenge resonated with Ben. "Yeah, I'd start with myself," he said. "We have to hold ourselves accountable." 

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.