Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats

You remember that Thursday night NFL shootout, right? The one where it looked like a blowout, then suddenly turned into chaos? When the Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats started stacking up, you could almost feel the momentum swing in real time.

The Vikings exploded early. The Steelers clawed back late. And the stat sheet? It tells a story that feels even wilder than the broadcast.

Let’s break it down properly not just numbers, but what those numbers actually meant on the field. Minnesota Vikings Offensive Explosion

The Vikings came out swinging. They didn’t test the waters. They threw haymakers from the first drive.

Kirk Cousins Controlled the First Half

Kirk Cousins delivered one of those “don’t forget about me” performances. He completed 14 of 31 passes for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns. That stat line might look modest at first glance, but context matters.

He threw both touchdowns in the first half. He stretched the field early. He forced Pittsburgh’s secondary to respect every route combination.

Did he fade a bit in the second half? Sure. But he built the 29-point cushion that made survival possible.

Justin Jefferson Did Justin Jefferson Things

Justin Jefferson shredded coverage all night. He hauled in 7 receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.

He ran crisp routes. He attacked soft spots in zone coverage. He forced mismatches against safeties who had no business lining up across from him.

You know that feeling when a receiver just looks uncoverable? That was Jefferson in the first half.

Dalvin Cook Set the Tone

Dalvin Cook gave Minnesota balance. He carried the ball 17 times for 205 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.

Yes, 205 yards.

He ripped off chunk runs. He broke through arm tackles. He punished a Steelers defensive front that usually dominates the trenches.

When a running back crosses the 200-yard mark, you expect a stress-free win. That’s what made the second half so confusing.

Pittsburgh Steelers Slow Start, Furious Finish

Pittsburgh looked flat early. They couldn’t protect. They couldn’t stop the run. They couldn’t sustain drives.

Then something flipped.

Ben Roethlisberger Turned Back the Clock

Ben Roethlisberger struggled in the first half. He missed throws. He faced pressure. He looked uncomfortable.

Then the fourth quarter happened.

He finished with 308 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He led scoring drives when the game looked buried. He attacked Minnesota’s secondary with quick throws and aggressive deep balls.

He didn’t win the game. But he made it unforgettable.

Najee Harris Refused to Quit

Najee Harris carried the offense when it sputtered. He totaled 94 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries.

He powered through contact. He kept the offense ahead of schedule. He delivered in short-yardage situations.

You could see the effort on every carry. He didn’t let the scoreboard dictate his intensity.

T.J. Watt Applied Late Pressure

T.J. Watt disrupted Minnesota’s rhythm in the second half. He recorded 1.5 sacks and multiple quarterback pressures.

He forced hurried throws. He closed running lanes. He made Cousins uncomfortable late.

When Watt heats up, the entire defensive energy shifts. That shift sparked Pittsburgh’s comeback push.

The Momentum Shift That Changed Everything

Minnesota led 29-0 at halftime.

Let that sink in.

You don’t blow that lead often in the NFL. The Vikings dominated time of possession. They controlled field position. They capitalized on red-zone opportunities.

Then Pittsburgh scored 28 unanswered points.

What changed?

• Minnesota stopped attacking vertically.

• Pittsburgh increased blitz frequency.

• Roethlisberger sped up his decision-making.

• The Vikings’ defense gave up explosive plays.

The stat sheet doesn’t show nervous energy. It doesn’t show conservative play-calling. But you can feel it between the numbers.

Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats Table

Below you’ll find a consolidated statistical summary from the game. Every major contributor sits right here.

That table tells a wild story.

Minnesota dominated on the ground. Pittsburgh dominated through the air late. Both quarterbacks threw multiple touchdowns. Both teams leaned heavily on star skill players.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Minnesota attacked early. Cook ripped off chunk runs. Cousins connected with Jefferson for a touchdown.

Pittsburgh failed to establish rhythm. Roethlisberger faced consistent pressure.

Second Quarter

The Vikings widened the gap. They converted third downs. They executed red-zone drives efficiently.

Steelers fans probably reached for the remote.

Third Quarter

Pittsburgh adjusted protection schemes. Roethlisberger started targeting quick slants and sideline routes.

Minnesota’s offense stalled. Field position began to flip.

Fourth Quarter

Chaos.

Roethlisberger threw touchdown passes. Harris punched in a score. The Vikings defense bent repeatedly.

Minnesota barely held on for a 36-28 victory.

Key Statistical Takeaways

Let’s call it like it is.

• Dalvin Cook’s 205 rushing yards defined the first half.

• Ben Roethlisberger’s 308 passing yards defined the comeback.

• Minnesota averaged over 7 yards per carry.

• Pittsburgh scored 28 points in the second half alone.

You rarely see that combination in one game.

Offensive Comparison

Minnesota relied on balance. They ran effectively and passed efficiently early.

Pittsburgh leaned on passing volume. Roethlisberger threw 40+ attempts as the game demanded urgency.

If you compare raw yardage, Pittsburgh actually outgained Minnesota through the air. Minnesota crushed them on the ground.

Which approach works better? Usually the balanced one. That balance saved the Vikings.

Defensive Performance Breakdown

Minnesota’s defense forced early stops. They pressured Roethlisberger into hurried decisions. They limited explosive plays in the first half.

Then fatigue showed up.

Pittsburgh’s defense struggled with gap discipline against Cook. They adjusted in the second half and limited Minnesota to fewer explosive runs.

Football often comes down to adjustments. Pittsburgh adjusted faster after halftime.

Red Zone Efficiency

Minnesota converted early red-zone trips into touchdowns. That efficiency built their cushion.

Pittsburgh capitalized late when urgency increased. Roethlisberger targeted tight windows near the goal line and trusted his receivers.

Both teams demonstrated strong red-zone execution at different times. Timing made the difference.

What This Game Revealed About Both Teams

Minnesota showed explosive potential. When their offense clicks, they can overwhelm opponents quickly.

Pittsburgh showed resilience. They never stopped competing. They nearly erased a 29-point deficit.

You can’t teach that kind of fight.

Final Thoughts on Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats

When you scan the Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats, you see more than numbers. You see a tale of two halves.

You see Dalvin Cook running wild. You see Ben Roethlisberger refusing to surrender. You see a Vikings team that dominated early and survived late.

Would Minnesota prefer a calmer finish? Absolutely.

Would Pittsburgh like another quarter? Probably.

But that’s what makes games like this memorable. The stat sheet captures production. The momentum swings capture emotion.

And if you love football, you couldn’t ask for a more dramatic Thursday night.