The Minnesota Vikings took the rocky road to Dublin for the first game in their two-week stand in Europe. The Viking recorded their first-ever international loss when they fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-21, in a game Pittsburgh mostly controlled for three quarters before some questionable coaching decisions and a flicker of life from the Minnesota offense made it exciting late.
The Vikings started hot with Jalen Redmond recording a sack on the first snap en route to a three-and-out. But Carson Wentz led the Vikings to their third slow start in four weeks, thanks in part to an injury-depleted offensive line that frequently collapsed under pressure from Pittsburgh. A pair of interceptions by the Steelers’ defense helped Aaron Rodgers and Co. gradually widen the gap on the scoreboard until the game seemed nearly out of reach at 24-6 in the fourth quarter.
While it looked like this game was over, an incredible late-game flurry, brought on by a miraculous 81-yard Jordan Addison catch, made it a three-point game. The Steelers had the ball in Vikings’ territory with under two minutes to go on fourth-and-inches, but some conservative coaching from Mike Tomlin saw the Vikings get the ball back with over a minute remaining with a chance to tie or even potentially win the game. However, penalties and pressure on the over-matched O-line reserves resulted in a turnover on downs to cement the Pittsburgh victory.
Here are five numbers that tell the story of the Vikings loss in Dublin.
31
Carson Wentz’s first interception came on his 31st passing attempt of the season. Wentz would throw two interceptions, both on tipped passes just as the offense looked to get going.
The offense seemed to be humming early on, especially Justin Jefferson, who was peppered with targets, getting four on the first drive and nearly amassing 100 yards in the first half alone.
The offense looked good when operating in the quick game but struggled when they got behind the sticks and had to play catch-up. Pittsburgh’s defense was able to sit at the sticks and force the to try to kill them by a thousand cuts. That only got harder when Minnesota lost right tackle Brian O’Neill.
While Wentz has been good in the quick game, he was limited while throwing the ball downfield. He was under pressure all game long, with the Steelers defensive line breathing down his neck, which led to a ton of hits and some bad decisions.
11
Aaron Rodgers didn’t throw an incomplete pass until his 11th attempt. Like Wentz, Rodgers relied on the quick-passing game early on with their first touchdown drive. Rodgers was able to negate Minnesota’s pressure by getting the ball out quickly into the flats and on screens, forcing the Vikings to make open-field tackles.
The Steelers offense was able to make the Vikings defense change directions quickly and over-commit to the flats, and this showed up on the 80-yard touchdown pass to D.K. Metcalf, where Josh Metellus committed to the flats and miscommunication with Ivan Pace Jr. allowed for Metcalf to get into the open field.
Rodgers looked to be his usual cool, calm, and collected self, and his ability to negate Minnesota’s pass rush with his quick game proved to be a unique challenge for the Vikings’ defense.
4
Pittsburgh’s defense had the Vikings under lock and key on third down, recording four sacks on third down alone (six total on the game). Wentz also threw both his interceptions on third down. The offensive line’s woes only got worse as Ryan Kelly reactivated his concussion and Michael Jurgens played center again.
Wentz took absorbed hits all day long. While the offense did move the ball, it also suffered self-inflicted wounds with sacks, penalties, and turnovers. Coming into this game, the Steelers have struggled to stop teams on third and fourth down, but this week against Wentz and the Vikings, they found their rhythm.
Minnesota’s offense needs to improve its blocking in obvious passing situations, and either McCarthy or Wentz must get the ball out as quickly as possible.
6
Justin Jefferson got his first 100-yard game in six starts.
It’s a little strange to see a receiver of Jefferson’s caliber go so many games without crossing that 100-yard mark. Still, given how last season ended and this season started, it makes some sense.
Jefferson got off to a hot start this week, tallying four catches on just the first drive, and he could have had more if Wentz had been able to find him when he was wide open on third down. Jefferson finished the half with eight grabs for 97 yards.
The Steelers were able to stifle him through most of the second half. It wasn’t until the score was 24-6 that Jefferson caught his next pass. Wentz’s inability to get his best receiver more involved in the second half, due in part to a porous Minnesota offensive line, is a big part of what kept the offense stagnant.
10
The Vikings have failed to score a touchdown in 10 of their 16 quarters. The offense has gotten off to horrifically slow starts this season, failing to score a touchdown in the first three quarters in three of their four games. Last season, the team’s identity was built around their ability to get off to fast starts and allow their defense to play ahead exert pressure.
While some assumed that these slow starts might have been a McCarthy flaw, it now looks indicative of a deeper issue within the offense. O’Connell has to sort this issue out. Otherwise, they’re in for a long season.