Vikings @ Steelers - Week 7

Oh how it burns me to live in Steeler country...ha ha. In a matter of minutes last Sunday the Vikings were the probable victors, then were suddenly heading towards a shocking defeat, then were threatening to retake the lead, and then...BAM....knocked out of Pittsburgh in a stunning manner.

Dramatic? Well, that's what us Viking fans call "Sunday."

Luck had been on the Vikings' side in previous close games this year (FINALLY), but last Sunday was a different story. A poorly officiated game, combined with far too many unforced errors and a tough, tough Steelers defense teamed up to hand the Vikings their first loss of the season. It was a game the Vikings could have still won, but there was simply too many things working against them. I'm actually more impressed with how they hung in there in this game than I have been with the six previous WINS. I felt they played that well considering who they were playing.

There were two big missed opportunities for the Vikings: an absurd tripping penalty on Jeff Dugan that wiped away a Sidney Rice touchdown, and the pass that went through Chester Taylor's hands and sealed the deal for the Steelers. Both drives could have resulted in Viking touchdowns, and yet BOTH resulted in seven points for the Steelers.

Certainly those two plays are the most obvious reasons for the defeat, but keep in mind some other factors. We saw glimpses of the old, undisciplined Vikings...11 penalties for 78 yards. Several of those penalties were garbage calls, but the fact remains that you don't win too many games on the road with so many unforced errors.

We should also recall the final Steelers drive of the first half, in which Big Ben sliced and diced a defense that was only rushing four while leaving a wide gap in between the linebackers and safeties. The Vikings could have entered the locker room with a 7-3 lead or at worst 7-6, but instead Pittsburgh led 10-7. Leslie Frazier is getting bizarrely soft in these situations.

Other than that though, the defense played well enough to win despite the absence of Antoine Winfield. It was the offense that self-destructed through penalties, not getting the running game established, and turning the ball over twice down the stretch putting 14 points on the board for the Steelers. Not even Percy Harvin (told you this kid was gonna be awesome) taking his 2nd kickoff return of the year back could make up for the mistakes.

It's also worth noting a third quarter drive by the Vikings that stalled at the one yard line and resulted in a field goal. First and goal from the one, and yet only one of the ensuing three plays went to AP. Talk about a blatant misuse of a great running back.

It stings that a gutsy defensive effort was wasted, it stings that numerous opportunities to win this game went to waste, and it really stings I know far too many Steeler fans. But it's important I keep this game in perspective. Disappointing as this game is, it's 1/16 of the season and we're still 6-1 overall.

Who knows...maybe we'll get our rematch : )