Photo: steelers.com
Steel City Underground presents post-game takeaways following each 2025 NFL regular season game that focuses on how the Pittsburgh Steelers performed, key statistics, their opponents and more!
On a mild Irish day, the Pittsburgh Steelers found a way – as a team – to earn a 24-21 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL regular season. In front of the international crowd, the Steelers played with balance on offense and, for the first time this season, the most complimentary football. That cohesive effort is something head coach Mike Tomlin has been seeking from this team, and they found it at an opportune time. We offer takeaways from this game that stood out.
Entering this game, the Vikings – under Brian Flores – were expecting to apply heavy pressure and a mix of packages to disrupt Aaron Rodgers. In spite of what was thrown his way, Rodgers looked to be in command of the Steelers offense; he was seen actively communicating with his offensive line and skill players… and his coaching staff.
Rodgers’ veteran experience and savvy was on display even when he was guilty of a fumble on a keeper that Broderick Jones grabbed and a couple poor passes he was frustrated with himself over. Rodgers took two sacks, but quietly kept working – at times with a smile on his face – finishing the game having completed 18-of-22 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown
Getting D.K. Metcalf involved early with some quick passes from the outside and the slot paid off as much as establishing a run game led by Kenneth Gainwell. The run helped offset the pressure the Vikings were trying to establish up front and, when Metcalf grabbed a pass and took it down the field for an 80-yard touchdown, the passing game forced Minnesota to be unable to stack the box.
THERE GOES THAT MAN‼️ @dkm14
Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/szceXBjRdr pic.twitter.com/MNYhN9peOb
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 28, 2025
That, Steelers fans, is what balanced offense is supposed to do – and look like.
Aaron Rodgers on the win over the Vikings. @Acrisure pic.twitter.com/1GQAOX5kji
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 28, 2025
The Steelers gained 6 first downs via the pass and 11 via the rush while gaining 313 total yards of offense and gaining an average of 5.9 yards per play. To illustrate the balance more, Pittsburgh gained 182 yards through the air compared to 131 on the ground.
Successful NFL teams want plays on defense that help the offense, and vice versa. In Week 4, the Steelers defense stayed engaged and was relatively uniform outside of one big play that was saved by linebacker Payton Wilson being an absolutely ‘dawg’ in preventing a broken coverage touchdown. Per Next Gen Stats, Wilson reached 22.48 miles per hour running down a streaking Jordan Addison to make a touchdown-saving play.
The Steelers mixed their pressure package and were able to sack Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz six times in the game for a loss of 48 yards. Those sack totals were as follows: Patrick Queen (1), DeShon Elliott (1), T.J. Watt (1), Nick Herbig (1.5), and Keeanu Benton (1.5).
Interceptions from Watt and Elliott helped flipped the field after an early fumble recovery for a touchdown by Jalen Ramsey was ruled downed/out of bounds. James Pierre also had an interception ruled as an incomplete pass due to a bobble before he went out of bounds.
What’s impressive is that the Steelers defense gave up just 57 yards to running back Jordan Mason who gashed the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. They also held receiver Justin Jefferson to 126 yards on 10 catches for zero touchdowns. Addison was held to just 4 catches; his biggest yardage gained on the play Wilson stopped. Just Zavier Scott and Jalen Nailor scored touchdowns.
There was a moment in this game that will draw some controversy. And it wasn’t a call made by officials.
Up 24-14 with 7:50 left in the game, Pittsburgh’s offense started a drive from their own 35 after a Gainwell return. The Steelers let Gainwell carry the ball and then had Connor Heyward take a direct snap for a fresh set of downs. A couple plays later, Rodgers threw a short pass over the middle to Gainwell to the Minnesota 3 and the Vikings took their second timeout with 4:14 left in the game.
By Rogers’ smile, that timeout was exactly what was expected… but he motioned to the sideline not to send in the field goal team. The offense had shown they could put it away from there earlier, but – after communication issues ensued including sending the field goal team out – the offense was hurried back onto the field.
The hesitation cost Pittsburgh an error in tempo and game control. As a result of the miscommunication, Gainwell’s attempt for another rushing touchdown was stopped a yard short for a turnover on downs.
Unfortunately, that gave the Vikings time to score a touchdown and get the score within 3 points. After the Steelers offense went 3-and-out after the onside kick, there was 1:02 left in the game for Minnesota to tie or win.
Fortunately, the near-pick by Pierre was followed up by a pass-breakup by Brandin Echols, a Herbig sack, and Elliott breakup strung with penalties against Wentz for intentional grounding, Watt for neutral zone infraction, and Patrick Queen for defensive holding.
In other words, why not have a plan in place to prevent unnecessary chaos at the end of a game that was in hand? That was a risk by coaching staff that was not needed.
Pittsburgh’s victory will carry them into a bye for NFL Week 5.
