minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats
Full Game Breakdown)
If you’re searching minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats, you want clean numbers and a story that makes sense. This matchup delivered both. The Steelers beat the Vikings 24–21 in the NFL Dublin Game on September 28, 2025. The score by quarter shows how the game flipped late: Minnesota scored 3, 3, 0, 15, while Pittsburgh scored 7, 7, 7, 3.
Minnesota threw the ball a lot, with Carson Wentz piling up yards. Pittsburgh leaned on Kenneth Gainwell, plus one huge DK Metcalf strike. The Steelers defense also shaped the result with pressure and picks. In this guide, you’ll get a full table of stats, a simple timeline, and quick takeaways you can use for recaps, blogs, or fan debates. Everything is written in plain English, so it’s easy to scan and easy to trust.
Game Snapshot: Score, Setting, and What Made It Special
The easiest way to understand minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats is to start with the setting and the final. This was the NFL’s regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland, and it ended Steelers 24, Vikings 21.
Pittsburgh jumped out early and kept control through three quarters. Minnesota made it tense late with a fourth-quarter push. Reuters noted the Vikings scored the final 15 points, but the comeback fell short when Wentz’s final fourth-down throw missed with only seconds left.
The vibe of this game matters because it shaped the play style. Minnesota chased points and threw often. Pittsburgh stayed steady, ran the ball, and took chances when the defense gave them short fields. That mix is why the stat sheet looks so different for both teams.
Team Totals Table: The “Big Picture” Stats That Explain The Score
Before you dive into player lines, look at the team totals. They show the real story of the matchup. Pittsburgh had 372 total yards to Minnesota’s 313. Minnesota threw for 302 net passing yards, while Pittsburgh had 182. The Steelers also had 131 rushing yards compared to the Vikings’ 70.
Time of possession leaned Minnesota, which sounds surprising at first. The Vikings held the ball 33:34, while the Steelers had 26:26. Penalties also mattered. Minnesota had 8 penalties for 82 yards, and Pittsburgh had 5 for 35.
So why did Minnesota lose with more pass yards and more possession time? Turnovers and pressure. Minnesota threw 2 interceptions and took 6 sacks, and those plays kill drives fast.
Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats: Full Table
Below is the main stats table fans look for. It pulls the key categories together in one place, then we break it down in the next sections.
Score by Quarter
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 3 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 21 |
| Steelers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
Team Totals
| Stat | Vikings | Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 313 | 372 |
| Passing Yards (Net) | 302 | 182 |
| Rushing Yards | 70 | 131 |
| First Downs | 23 | 19 |
| Interceptions Thrown | 2 | 0 |
| Time of Possession | 33:34 | 26:26 |
| Penalties | 8–82 | 5–35 |
Passing Stats: Wentz Put Up Big Yards, Rodgers Played Clean
The passing box is a big reason people search minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats. Carson Wentz threw a ton and stacked yards. His line: 30/46, 350 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT, with 6 sacks for 48 yards lost.
Aaron Rodgers played a calmer game. He finished 18/22, 200 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, with 2 sacks for 18 yards lost.
The key gap was mistakes. Rodgers protected the ball. Wentz did not. Pittsburgh’s defense turned two passes into interceptions, and those swings often decide close games.
It’s also worth noting the style. Minnesota pushed deeper downfield late, chasing points. Pittsburgh took what was open and leaned on the run to keep the game under control. That’s why Wentz outgained Rodgers, yet the Steelers still won.
Rushing Stats: Gainwell’s Two Scores Did The Heavy Lifting
If you only check one rushing line, check Kenneth Gainwell. He ran 19 times for 99 yards and scored 2 rushing touchdowns. That alone can cover the difference in a three-point game.
Pittsburgh also got support carries. Kaleb Johnson had 6 rushes for 22 yards. Rodgers added 3 for 8. Connor Heyward chipped in 1 for 2. The Steelers finished with 29 rushes for 131 yards.
Minnesota’s rushing output was smaller. Jordan Mason led with 16 carries for 57 yards. Wentz had 2 carries for 12. Zavier Scott added 2 for 1. Minnesota finished 20 rushes for 70 yards.
That gap shaped the game. Pittsburgh could keep running in key moments. Minnesota had to throw, and that opened the door for sacks and picks.
Receiving Stats: Jefferson and Metcalf Headlined The Night
The receiving lines are where the game turns into a highlight reel. For Minnesota, Justin Jefferson was the steady star: 10 catches, 126 yards, on 11 targets. Jordan Addison had the explosive chunk plays: 4 catches, 114 yards, with a long gain of 81.
The most important Vikings receiving scores came from unexpected spots. Zavier Scott posted 6 catches, 43 yards, 1 TD. Jalen Nailor had 1 catch for 2 yards, and it went for a touchdown. Those are “small-yard TD” plays that usually happen near the goal line.
For Pittsburgh, DK Metcalf led the show: 5 catches, 126 yards, 1 TD, and the long was 80. Gainwell also helped as a receiver with 6 catches for 35 yards.
Defense and Pressure: Six Sacks Changed Everything
A major reason this game stayed in Pittsburgh’s hands was pressure. ESPN’s box score shows Wentz was sacked six times. That kind of heat forces rushed throws and kills drives.
Turnovers came with it. Pittsburgh recorded two interceptions, one by T.J. Watt and one by DeShon Elliott. Watt’s pick went for 13 yards, and the team total was 2 INT for 9 yards.
On the tackle sheet, Pittsburgh’s defense had a lot of activity. The ESPN defense table shows multiple defenders with strong tackle totals, and the team line shows 75 total tackles, plus 6 sacks and 14 QB hits.
Minnesota’s defense had moments too, but the Vikings did not record interceptions in this game. ESPN lists “No Minnesota Interceptions.” In a tight score, that turnover gap is a big deal.
Special Teams Stats: Kicking, Returns, and Hidden Yardage
Special teams often decide close games in quiet ways. Minnesota kicker Will Reichard went perfect: 2/2 field goals, long of 41, plus 1/1 extra points, totaling 7 points. Pittsburgh’s Chris Boswell went 1/2 on field goals, long of 33, and hit 3/3 extra points, totaling 6 points.
Kick returns were active. Minnesota’s Tai Felton had 3 returns for 77 yards, and Myles Price had 2 for 47. The Vikings totaled 5 returns for 124 yards. Pittsburgh’s Trey Sermon returned 2 for 51, and Gainwell had 2 for 49, totaling 4 for 100 yards.
Punting was steady. Vikings punter Ryan Wright had 3 punts for 136 yards, average 45.3. Steelers punter Corliss Waitman had 3 punts for 146 yards, average 48.7.
Simple Game Timeline: How The Lead Built, Then Nearly Broke
Here’s a clean “timeline” that matches the scoring by quarter and the big play notes that fans remember. Pittsburgh led early and held that edge for most of the day. The quarter scoring shows Pittsburgh winning the first three quarters 7–3, 7–3, and 7–0. That’s a strong grip on the game.
The big spark play for Pittsburgh was DK Metcalf’s long touchdown. Reuters described a 80-yard TD catch from Rodgers. Those plays do two things. They add points fast. They also change how the defense plays for the next drive.
Minnesota’s rally came late. The Vikings scored 15 points in the fourth quarter. Reuters noted the Vikings scored the final 15 points and still lost when the last fourth-down pass fell incomplete with eight seconds left.
Player “Leaders” Quick Table: Top Producers By Category
If you need a quick summary for a blog snippet, this table helps. It highlights the biggest names tied to the minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats search.
| Category | Vikings Leader | Steelers Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | Carson Wentz (350) | Aaron Rodgers (200) |
| Passing TD | Wentz (2) | Rodgers (1) |
| Rushing Yards | Jordan Mason (57) | Kenneth Gainwell (99) |
| Rushing TD | — | Gainwell (2) |
| Receiving Yards | Justin Jefferson (126) | DK Metcalf (126) |
| Receiving TD | Zavier Scott, Jalen Nailor (1 each) | DK Metcalf (1) |
| Interceptions | — | T.J. Watt, DeShon Elliott (1 each) |
What The Stats Say About Each Team’s Game Plan
Minnesota’s plan leaned pass-first once the game got away early. Wentz attempted 46 passes, and the team finished with 350 receiving yards spread across many targets. Jefferson and Addison did most of the heavy lifting, then role players finished drives in the red zone.
Pittsburgh played the classic “control and strike” style. Rodgers only threw 22 passes, yet the offense got enough chunk plays. The run game stayed alive all four quarters, and Gainwell punched in two scores.
The cleanest separator was turnovers. Minnesota threw 2 picks. Pittsburgh threw 0. In a three-point finish, that’s usually the game. You can win yardage, time, and still lose if you give away the ball twice and take six sacks.
A Quick Rivalry Note: Why Fans Keep Comparing These Teams
The Vikings and Steelers don’t meet every season, so each matchup feels like a snapshot. That’s why the keyword minnesota vikings vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats stays popular after the final whistle. People revisit it for fantasy talk, film breakdowns, and “what went wrong” debates.
This 2025 game had the kind of stat profile fans love to argue about. Minnesota’s QB had bigger passing yards. Pittsburgh’s RB had the touchdowns. Minnesota had more time with the ball. Pittsburgh had the turnovers.
It also had a real “moment.” Metcalf’s long score gave the game an instant highlight. Then the fourth-quarter push gave it drama. When you mix highlights with a near comeback, fans keep searching the box score for weeks.
FAQs
1) What was the final score in the Vikings vs Steelers game?
The Steelers beat the Vikings 24–21 on September 28, 2025.
2) Who had more passing yards, Vikings or Steelers?
The Vikings did. Carson Wentz threw for 350 yards, while Aaron Rodgers threw for 200.
3) Who led rushing in Vikings vs Steelers?
Kenneth Gainwell led the game with 99 rushing yards and scored 2 rushing touchdowns.
4) Who led receiving yards in the game?
It was a tie at the top. Justin Jefferson had 126 yards for Minnesota, and DK Metcalf had 126 for Pittsburgh.
5) How many interceptions did Carson Wentz throw?
Wentz threw 2 interceptions in this game.
6) What was the biggest play of the game?
Reuters highlighted DK Metcalf’s 80-yard touchdown reception from Aaron Rodgers.
Conclusion: The Clean Reason Pittsburgh Won
This game is a perfect example of how stats can look “even,” yet the result stays one-sided until the end. Minnesota moved the ball through the air and owned long stretches of possession. Still, the Steelers won because they protected the ball and punished mistakes.
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