Game story
In Week 2 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-09-17, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Minnesota Vikings, pulling away with a 26–9 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 12 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
C. Keenum (Minnesota Vikings) paced the passing game, with -10.12 total EPA, and -3.8% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.82 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+9.3% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (7:13) (No Huddle) PENALTY on MIN-96-B.Robison, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced at PIT 31 - No Play.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 26 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +9.82 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
- 2 M. Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +7.25 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.81 EPA/play
- 3 K. Rudolph · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.99 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
- 4 J. Smith-Schuster · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.87 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
- 5 C. Ham · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +0.61 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
- 6 J. Conner · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +0.57 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
- 7 J. James · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +0.33 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
- 8 M. Bryant · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +0.25 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+9.82) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 41 counted snaps, they averaged +0.24 EPA per play.
The signature play (+3.77 EPA) came from Minnesota Vikings: (2:42) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass deep middle to 82-K.Rudolph to MIN 48 for 27 yards (28-S.Davis).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — M. Bryant (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Minnesota Vikings — C. Ham
Field goals
- Minnesota Vikings — K. Forbath
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 27 (Q1 48:10) — (3:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-M.Bryant for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIN 20 (Q1 48:02) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 4 (Q2 43:35) — (13:35) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q2 43:31) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the PIT 24 (Q2 38:58) — (8:58) (Field Goal formation) 2-K.Forbath 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley..
The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 6–6. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIN 28 (Q3 27:24) — (12:24) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q3 25:00) — (10:00) 30-C.Ham up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIN 11 (Q3 20:09) — (5:09) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 6–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIN 19 (Q4 3:18) — (3:18) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIN 25 (Q4 1:57) — (1:57) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 52:13) — (7:13) (No Huddle) PENALTY on MIN-96-B.Robison, Encroachment, 5 yards, enforced at PIT 31 - No Play.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep middle to 10-M.Bryant. PENALTY on MIN-26-T.Waynes, Defensive Pass Interference, 49 yards, enforced at PIT 39 - No Play.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 51:13) — (6:13) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep left to 84-A.Brown. PENALTY on MIN-29-X.Rhodes, Defensive Pass Interference, 22 yards, enforced at PIT 40 - No Play.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 48:10) — (3:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-M.Bryant for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 17:42) — (2:42) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass deep middle to 82-K.Rudolph to MIN 48 for 27 yards (28-S.Davis).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Minnesota Vikings (Q3 17:42) — (2:42) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass deep middle to 82-K.Rudolph to MIN 48 for 27 yards (28-S.Davis).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep middle to 10-M.Bryant. PENALTY on MIN-26-T.Waynes, Defensive Pass Interference, 49 yards, enforced at PIT 39 - No Play.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 48:10) — (3:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-M.Bryant for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 22:01) — (7:01) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 10-M.Bryant to MIN 11 for 51 yards (26-T.Waynes). Penalty on MIN-92-T.Johnson, Defensive Offside, declined.
Quarterback report card
C.Keenum led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- C.Keenum (Minnesota Vikings) · 43 dropbacks · 46.5% completion · -3.8% CPOE · -0.24 EPA/play · -10.12 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 41 dropbacks · 56.1% completion · +3.2% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +9.82 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Minnesota Vikings | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.176 | +0.036 |
| Offensive success rate | 36.1% | 41.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.291 | +0.240 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.126 | -0.148 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.036 | +0.176 |
| Defensive success rate | 58.3% | 63.9% |
By the numbers
Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.04 vs -0.18), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, -14.59 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +3.41 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- C. Keenum (MIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 48:10 · MIN 27 · Score 0-6
(3:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 10-M.Bryant for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 48:02 · MIN 20 · Score 0-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 43:35 · MIN 4 · Score 0-13
(13:35) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 43:31 · MIN 15 · Score 0-14
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 38:58 · PIT 24 · Score 3-14
(8:58) (Field Goal formation) 2-K.Forbath 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-K.McDermott, Holder-4-R.Quigley. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 27:24 · MIN 28 · Score 3-17
(12:24) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q3 25:00 · PIT 1 · Score 9-17
(10:00) 30-C.Ham up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 20:09 · MIN 11 · Score 9-20
(5:09) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 3:18 · MIN 19 · Score 9-23
(3:18) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 1:57 · MIN 25 · Score 9-26
(1:57) (Field Goal formation) 9-C.Boswell 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings 26-9 in Week 2, 2017 on 2017-09-17.
What was the final score of Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Minnesota Vikings 9, Pittsburgh Steelers 26 (MIN 9-26 PIT) in Week 2, 2017 on 2017-09-17.
What was the score by quarter in Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Minnesota Vikings 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q2: Minnesota Vikings 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: Minnesota Vikings 6, Pittsburgh Steelers 6; Q4: Minnesota Vikings 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 6; Final: Minnesota Vikings 9, Pittsburgh Steelers 26.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — M. Bryant (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 48:10) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 43:35) Minnesota Vikings touchdown — C. Ham (Q3 25:00) Minnesota Vikings field goal — K. Forbath (Q2 38:58, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q3 27:24, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q3 20:09, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 3:18, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 1:57, 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?
C. Keenum (Minnesota Vikings), 46.5% completion, -3.8% CPOE, -0.24 EPA per dropback, -10.12 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 56.1% completion, +3.2% CPOE, +0.24 EPA per dropback, +9.82 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +9.82 on passing plays. across 41 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+3.77 EPA): (2:42) (Shotgun) 7-C.Keenum pass deep middle to 82-K.Rudolph to MIN 48 for 27 yards (28-S.Davis).. The biggest win-probability swing was +9.3%.
Season records after this game
Minnesota Vikings
Entered 1-0 Now 1-1 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 1-0 Now 2-0 W
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