It may have taken awhile, but the Pittsburgh Steelers big-play defense finally seemed to be back in form Sunday afternoon in Heinz Field. After taking hits for allowing two fourth quarter comebacks in weeks two and three this season, the Steelers D was back to form Sunday, stopping the Vikings with a pair of huge fourth quarter plays in a 27-17 win to move to 5-2.
“It’s going to help our defense build a lot more confidence,” inside linebacker James Farrior said. “Hopefully, we can get back to how we used to play.”
It was the first time since 1998 that the defense had scored two TD’s in a game. They needed both of them, as the first made it 20-10, the second sealed the win to make it 27-17. Both came as the Vikings were driving for what could have been the tying or even the go-ahead score.
The first was Brett Keisel getting a strip on Brett Favre, and LB LaMarr Woodley picked it up and rumbled 77 yards for a score. The second came with the game on the line as the Vikings were at the Steelers 18 down just 20-17 with just over a minute left. A screen pass bounced off the hands of Chester Taylor and right to LB Keyaron Fox, who took it 82 yards for the score that clinched the win.
“I thought about running out of bounds and letting the offense run (the clock) out,” Fox said. “Then I said, I can’t turn down this opportunity to be the hero. So I took full advantage.”
As did the defense, which played that classic “bend but don’t break” type of game Sunday. The Vikings had more yards, and controlled the time of possession, but it was those key plays that put the nail in the Vikings undefeated coffin. “You put 14 points on the board defensively,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said, “(and) you can overcome a lot of errors.”
The Steelers are now ready to look at the film, and right any wrongs before they go to Denver after next weeks bye week for another stiff test. For now though, the defense showed they will not go quietly, even more so when the game is on the line with a play to be made.
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mark
October 26, 2009 at 8:49 am
While it was important for the defense to close out a game we should not overlook the job Max Starks did on Jared Allen.Starks practically had a shut-out. If you count sacks, he did have a shut-out. Very good job by the line yesterday. The bye week comes at a great time for the Steelers. Having a healthy Timmons, Polamalu and Kirschke as well as having time to look at film and fix this awful Special Teams will go a long way towards making a run. Broncos, Bengals and Ravens are coming up in the next month or so, so its time to make our hay! Also, how good is this Mike Wallace???
CallieT
October 26, 2009 at 10:15 am
After Reed’s pathetic attempt (if it was an attempt at all) to block a return run he ought to be let go. Even Sepulveda can bring down a return – why is Reed so afraid of making physical contact to bring a guy down? Afraid it might hurt?? The “p” word comes to mind.
DrGeorge
October 26, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I’m encouraged by the team’s sheet guts and the improvement in over all offensive and defense line play. Although individuals have played spectacularly well, the Steelers are 5-2 at the break and have yet to play a game in which the entire team performed solidly in all three phases of the game (offense, defense, spec.teams). To date, the Steelers have won ugly, without truly playing good football, which is a characeristic of all good teams. If the coaching staff can remedy the few obvious problems known to all of us, and if we can avoid more key injuries, this team has the potential to be really, really good — perhaps better than the teams that won Super Bowls XL and XLIII. The break comes at an excellent time to make all of that happen.
curt
October 26, 2009 at 6:41 pm
ulgy win but i’ll take it. If they can address some of the issue they have during this break they pose a good chance to make a run. the secondary needs more improvement they have let to many teams convert on 3rd and long, some have been 15+ yards. Also special Teams giving back to back games with K.O. returns. We will see in the next coming weeks
pickingpros
October 26, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Great big plays, but the game may have played out differently had the refs not blown the call to negate the favre TD< which resulted in a fumble TD. Sad to see a good one end like that. Great work by steelers D in the redzone.
Matt Loede
October 28, 2009 at 1:57 pm
The D needed a big effort like this, and it was good to see them respond vs a team with the firepower of the Vikings