The final score looks close, but the flow of the game had sharp swings. The Steelers jumped out early with a defensive touchdown, then kept stacking points through a mix of explosive passes and steady red-zone rushing. The Vikings owned the ball longer and piled up more yards, yet two interceptions and constant pressure made each long drive feel like a tightrope walk. This is where minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats tells the real story: Minnesota ran 72 plays and held the ball for 33:34, but Pittsburgh won the “damage” moments—turnovers, sacks, and one huge scoring strike. When the Vikings finally broke through late, their comeback was real and fast. They scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, reached the last play with a shot to win, and still left Dublin one step short.

If you only skim one section, skim this: the Steelers produced six sacks and two interceptions. Minnesota produced two sacks and zero picks. That pressure gap shows up everywhere in the minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats tables below.

Team stats help you see which side controlled tempo and which side controlled impact. Minnesota won total yards (372 to 313), ran more plays (72 to 53), and held the ball longer (33:34 to 26:26). Pittsburgh still won because the Vikings turned it over twice, and those empty possessions were expensive. Minnesota also faced more “long-yardage” snaps after sacks, which can destroy a drive even when the passing yards look big. Keep these numbers in mind while reading the minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats tables.

Numbers reflect the same box score used in the player tables below.

These two areas decide close games because they measure “finish” and “survive.” On third down, both teams struggled. Minnesota went 4 for 14, and Pittsburgh went 4 for 10. The difference is that the Steelers often gained big yards on earlier downs, so third down felt shorter and less scary. In the red zone, Minnesota went 2 for 4 and Pittsburgh went 2 for 5. That looks similar, but the game swing came from how each team reached the red zone. The Vikings had to fight through sacks and long-yardage to even get close. The Steelers got there with one-play explosions and short fields. In minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats, this shows up as one team with huge passing volume and the other team with cleaner finishing runs.

If you want the game in “drive form,” this is it. The Steelers opened the scoring with a defensive touchdown, which instantly changes play-calling on both sides. Minnesota responded with a field goal after an 11-play drive, which showed they could move the ball. Pittsburgh answered with a long touchdown drive capped by a short rushing score. Then came the biggest single swing: an 80-yard touchdown pass that flipped the field in one snap. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh added another rushing touchdown. In the fourth, a field goal made it 24–6, and Minnesota finally exploded with two fast touchdown drives—first a 70-yard TD drive, then a 99-yard TD drive. The comeback was real, but the Steelers’ last stand ended the day. This “drive story” pairs perfectly with minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats because it shows which plays created points, not just yards.

Passing stats can fool people if you only look at yards. Minnesota’s quarterback threw for 350 yards, which is a huge number. But the two interceptions and six sacks changed the value of those yards. Each sack turns a normal down into a tough down. Each interception wipes out a drive and hands the other team a new chance. Pittsburgh’s quarterback threw for 200 yards, yet he protected the ball and hit one back-breaking touchdown strike. That’s why minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats needs context: “how” yards were earned matters. Below is the clean passing table that matches the box score lines.

The Steelers’ rushing stats explain how they held the lead even while losing time of possession. Kenneth Gainwell ran 19 times for 99 yards and scored twice. Those two touchdowns are the simplest “finish” in the game. Minnesota’s rushing output was lighter: 70 team yards and no rushing TDs. Jordan Mason led them with 57 yards, and the quarterback chipped in 12. The Vikings could move the ball through the air, but in the middle of the game they didn’t get enough clean rushing snaps to calm the pass rush. That’s why the minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats rushing tables show a clear Pittsburgh edge in scoring value, not just yard totals.

Receiving stats show both the steady movers and the sudden breakers. Justin Jefferson caught 10 passes for 126 yards, acting like the engine that kept Minnesota alive. Jordan Addison produced 114 yards on four catches, including a huge 81-yard gain that flipped field position in a hurry. Zavier Scott’s 6 catches for 43 yards included a touchdown, which became the spark for the comeback. For Pittsburgh, DK Metcalf was the headline: five catches, 126 yards, and an 80-yard touchdown. That one play didn’t just add points—it stole time from Minnesota because it was instant. In minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats, explosive yards often matter more than total yards.

Defense tables are where pressure becomes visible. The Steelers recorded six sacks and forced two interceptions, which means they consistently ended possessions without Minnesota choosing to punt. That is the harshest kind of stop. Minnesota did sack the Steelers twice and had some strong tackling numbers, but they didn’t create a takeaway. When you compare the two defenses, it’s not about who made more tackles. It’s about who created the biggest “drive-ending” moments. The Steelers did that all day, and minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats makes it clear in the sack totals and interception table right after.

This was the quiet difference that decided a loud finish. The Vikings threw two interceptions and did not record a single interception on defense. Pittsburgh picked off two passes and gave the ball away zero times. When you add six sacks on top of that, you get repeated “negative snaps” for Minnesota. That doesn’t always show up in the final yards, because a quarterback can still throw for 350 yards while under siege. But it shows up in scoring chances. This is why fans who track minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats focus on turnovers first. One takeaway can erase a 60-yard drive. Two takeaways can be the whole game in a three-point finish.

Special teams didn’t decide everything, but they shaped the margins. Minnesota’s kicker was perfect: two field goals and one extra point. Pittsburgh’s kicker hit one field goal but missed one attempt, then made all extra points. In a three-point game, that miss stands out, yet the Steelers survived because the defense gave them extra possessions and the offense scored early. Punting was steady, with both punters landing three kicks and keeping average distance strong. These details matter because the Vikings’ late comeback depended on field position. That’s another reason minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats is best read with special teams included.

Return stats are easy to ignore, but they quietly set the table for drives. Minnesota had five kick returns for 124 yards, while Pittsburgh had four kick returns for 100 yards. Punt returns were small on both sides, but every extra 8 to 12 yards can turn a hard drive into a manageable one. In this game, Minnesota needed long drives late, and good returns helped them avoid starting inside their own ten again and again. Pittsburgh didn’t need monster returns because they scored quickly and leaned on defense. Still, returns remain part of minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats because field position is the hidden layer under every box score.

Think of a sack like a hidden turnover. It steals yards, burns a down, and often forces a risky throw. Minnesota’s quarterback was sacked six times, losing 48 yards. That is like starting half the drives with a penalty you didn’t choose. It also explains why Minnesota had to throw 46 times: sacks create long-yardage, and long-yardage pushes more passing. Now add two interceptions. When the Vikings were trying to climb back, each mistake felt twice as heavy because the Steelers had already built a lead. Pittsburgh’s quarterback was sacked twice for 18 yards and threw no picks. This is the cleanest reason the minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats outcome leaned Pittsburgh, even with fewer total yards.

Big games usually have a short list of names that shaped the scoreboard. For the Steelers, Kenneth Gainwell mattered because he turned red-zone chances into touchdowns. That’s the hardest skill to replace. DK Metcalf mattered because his 80-yard touchdown changed the math of the game—one play, seven points, and a sudden gap that forced Minnesota to chase. The Steelers’ defense mattered because it created the “stop plays”: sacks, interceptions, and a defensive score. For the Vikings, Justin Jefferson mattered because he kept the chains moving and demanded attention on every snap. Jordan Addison mattered because his huge yards created instant field flips. And Carson Wentz mattered because he led a real comeback under brutal pressure. When you read minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats, those “why it mattered” moments are the pieces that connect numbers to the final score.

Minnesota played a volume game: lots of plays, lots of throws, and long drives. That approach can win, but it demands clean protection. When protection breaks, the volume becomes risky because more dropbacks create more sack chances. Pittsburgh played a punch game: fewer plays, higher yards per play, and bigger single moments. The 80-yard touchdown and the defensive score are classic “punch” plays. Then the Steelers leaned on Kenneth Gainwell to keep the ball safe and make the red zone simple. Minnesota’s late surge showed resilience, but the early damage created a steep hill. When people search minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats, this plan contrast is what they’re really trying to understand: how one team can lose yards and still win the scoreboard.

The Vikings showed real fight and nearly stole it at the end, but the Steelers controlled the most valuable snaps: takeaways, sacks, and instant scoring plays. Minnesota’s numbers look bigger in volume, yet Pittsburgh’s numbers look sharper in impact. If you’re building a clean match page, these tables give you the full picture—passing, rushing, receiving, defense, kicking, returns, plus the key-drive timeline. That’s exactly why people keep searching for minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats after games like this. If you want, you can copy these tables into your own match hub and add weekly pages the same way, so every matchup has the same premium format.