Quick answer
- Winner
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Final score
- Pittsburgh Steelers 21–16 Minnesota Vikings
- Halftime
- Minnesota Vikings 3–7 Pittsburgh Steelers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- T. Bouman
- Top passer
- K. Stewart
- Biggest EPA play
- (6:44) 8-T.Bouman pass to 23-M.Bennett for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen pass - caught at th…
- Game date
- 2001-12-02
Game summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings 21–16 on 2001-12-02. T. Bouman posted a game-high +6.74 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 14 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 16 | |
| 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
T. Bouman · Minnesota Vikings · Passing · +6.74 total EPA · 17 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play - 2
P. Burress · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.33 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play - 3
K. Stewart · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +6.04 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play - 4

Riley Moss · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.49 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play - 5
M. Bennett · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +5.42 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.71 EPA/play - 6

Tru Edwards · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +2.69 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.69 EPA/play - 7
J. Bettis · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +2.63 total EPA · 20 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play - 8

Joe Reed · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
T. Bouman — MIN · Passing
T. Bouman posted the highest total EPA (+6.74) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Minnesota Vikings. Across 17 counted snaps, they averaged +0.40 EPA per play.
T. Bouman's top snap (+6.63 EPA): (6:44) 8-T.Bouman pass to 23-M.Bennett for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen pass - caught at the Min 17. Play Challenged by PIT and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 06:29.)
Quarterback report card
K. Stewart led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
K. Stewart (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 23 dropbacks · 56.5% completion · +0.26 EPA/play · +6.04 total EPA
D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings) · 18 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +0.08 EPA/play · +1.39 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.011 | +0.039 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.9% | 50.6% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.212 | +0.222 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.260 | -0.045 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.039 | +0.011 |
| Defensive success rate | 49.4% | 58.1% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Minnesota Vikings -0.01, Pittsburgh Steelers +0.04) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Minnesota Vikings: -0.01 EPA/play (50th percentile vs. 2001 team-game averages)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.04 EPA/play (63rd percentile vs. 2001 team-game averages)
- Minnesota Vikings: 11 drives, -0.66 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +3.22 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis 
Pittsburgh Steelers — Tru Edwards
Pittsburgh Steelers — A. Zereoue
Minnesota Vikings — M. Bennett (T. Bouman pass) 
Minnesota Vikings — Riley Moss (T. Bouman pass)
Field goals
Minnesota Vikings — G. Anderson
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 3–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the PIT 7 (Q1 1:37) — (1:37) 1-G.Anderson 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Heffner-Liddiard, Holder-17-M.Berger..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q2 11:38) — (11:38) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 10:26) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-4-J.Miller. Extra point hit the left upright and went in..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 12 (Q3 7:13) — (7:13) (Shotgun) 81-T.Edwards right end for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 7:04) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-4-J.Miller.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 4 (Q3 0:50) — (:50) 21-A.Zereoue right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q3 0:44) — 3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-4-J.Miller..
The fourth quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 13–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PIT 80 (Q4 6:44); Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q4 6:29) — 1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Heffner-Liddiard, Holder-17-M.Berger.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PIT 12 (Q4 3:28) — (3:28) (Shotgun) 8-T.Bouman pass to 84-R.Moss for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:20) — (2:20) 10-K.Stewart to PIT 10 for -11 yards (99-C.Hovan). FUMBLES (99-C.Hovan), RECOVERED by MIN-97-T.Sawyer at PIT 10. 97-T.Sawyer to PIT 10 for no gain (66-A.Faneca).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 1:58) — (1:58) 8-T.Bouman pass incomplete to 84-R.Moss (20-D.Washington).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 7:21) — (7:21) 11-D.Culpepper pass to 80-C.Carter to PIT 27 for 22 yards (30-C.Scott).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q2 6:09) — (6:09) 1-G.Anderson 38 yard field goal is No Good, Hit Left Upright, Center-43-B.Heffner-Liddiard, Holder-17-M.Berger.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 5:52) — (5:52) 10-K.Stewart pass intended for 86-H.Ward INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Griffith at MIN 36. 24-R.Griffith to MIN 47 for 11 yards (38-J.Witman).
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 6:44) — (6:44) 8-T.Bouman pass to 23-M.Bennett for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen pass - caught at the Min 17. Play Challenged by PIT and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 06:29.)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 2:20) — (2:20) 10-K.Stewart to PIT 10 for -11 yards (99-C.Hovan). FUMBLES (99-C.Hovan), RECOVERED by MIN-97-T.Sawyer at PIT 10. 97-T.Sawyer to PIT 10 for no gain (66-A.Faneca).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 5:52) — (5:52) 10-K.Stewart pass intended for 86-H.Ward INTERCEPTED by 24-R.Griffith at MIN 36. 24-R.Griffith to MIN 47 for 11 yards (38-J.Witman).
- Minnesota Vikings (Q4 4:19) — (4:19) 8-T.Bouman pass to 84-R.Moss pushed ob at PIT 12 for 62 yards (30-C.Scott).
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 1:37 · PIT 7 · Score 3-0
(1:37) 1-G.Anderson 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-43-B.Heffner-Liddiard, Holder-17-M.Berger.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 11:38 · MIN 1 · Score 3-6
(11:38) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 10:26 · MIN 2 · Score 3-7
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-4-J.Miller. Extra point hit the left upright and went in.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 7:13 · MIN 12 · Score 3-13
(7:13) (Shotgun) 81-T.Edwards right end for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 7:04 · MIN 2 · Score 3-14
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-4-J.Miller.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 0:50 · MIN 4 · Score 3-20
(:50) 21-A.Zereoue right tackle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 0:44 · MIN 2 · Score 3-21
3-K.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-54-M.Schneck, Holder-4-J.Miller.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 6:44 · PIT 80 · Score 9-21
(6:44) 8-T.Bouman pass to 23-M.Bennett for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen pass - caught at the Min 17. Play Challenged by PIT and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 06:29.)
Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 6:29 · PIT 2 · Score 10-21
1-G.Anderson extra point is GOOD, Center-43-B.Heffner-Liddiard, Holder-17-M.Berger.
Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 3:28 · PIT 12 · Score 16-21
(3:28) (Shotgun) 8-T.Bouman pass to 84-R.Moss for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- T. Bouman (Minnesota Vikings) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2001-12-02?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings 21-16 in Week 12, 2001.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 0; Final: Minnesota Vikings 16, Pittsburgh Steelers 21.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Bettis (Q2 11:38) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — T. Edwards (Q3 7:13) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — A. Zereoue (Q3 0:50) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — M. Bennett (T. Bouman pass) (Q4 6:44) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — R. Moss (T. Bouman pass) (Q4 3:28) Minnesota Vikings field goal — G. Anderson (Q1 1:37, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
K. Stewart (Pittsburgh Steelers), 56.5% completion, +0.26 EPA per dropback, +6.04 total passing EPA. D. Culpepper (Minnesota Vikings), 66.7% completion, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +1.39 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
T. Bouman (Minnesota Vikings) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.74 total EPA on Passing plays. across 17 snaps. Their top snap (+6.63 EPA): (6:44) 8-T.Bouman pass to 23-M.Bennett for 80 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Screen pass - caught at the Min 17. Play Challenged by PIT and Upheld. (Timeout #1 at 06:29.).
Was Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 21-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 4-6 Now 4-7 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 8-2 Now 9-2 W