Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2021 Week 14 Recap

Game story

In Week 14 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-12-09, the Minnesota Vikings took care of business against the Pittsburgh Steelers, pulling away with a 36–28 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 28 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) paced the passing game, with -1.09 total EPA, and +2.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, D. Cook (Minnesota Vikings) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +7.74 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+11.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (8:13) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles up the middle to MIN 34 for 5 yards (90-S.Richardson). PENALTY on MIN-24-M.Alexander, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at MIN 34.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 D. Cook · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +7.74 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.82 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.97 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Claypool · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.54 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.28 EPA/play
4. 4 K. Cousins · Minnesota Vikings · Rushing · +2.21 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.21 EPA/play
5. 5 N. Harris · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.40 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.47 EPA/play
6. 6 C. Herndon · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.39 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.39 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Conklin · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.09 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
8. 8 D. Cook · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +0.69 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Minnesota Vikings — J. Jefferson (K. Cousins pass) (Q1 48:37)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Cook (Q2 40:02)
• Minnesota Vikings — D. Cook (Q2 32:25)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — N. Harris (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 17:15)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — N. Harris (Q4 14:52)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Washington (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 12:17)
• Minnesota Vikings — K. Osborn (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 11:00)
• Pittsburgh Steelers — P. Freiermuth (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 4:19)

Field goals

• Minnesota Vikings — G. Joseph (Q2 44:47)
• Minnesota Vikings — G. Joseph (Q3 24:41)
• Minnesota Vikings — G. Joseph (Q3 21:18)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 6–0. Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PIT 14 (Q1 48:37) — (3:37) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 18-J.Jefferson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The second quarter: Minnesota Vikings won the period 17–0. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the PIT 20 (Q2 44:47) — (14:47) 1-G.Joseph 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PIT 29 (Q2 40:02) — (10:02) 64-B.Brandel reported in as eligible. 33-D.Cook right end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 39:55); Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PIT 7 (Q2 32:25) — (2:25) 33-D.Cook right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 32:20) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–6. Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the PIT 24 (Q3 24:41) — (9:41) 1-G.Joseph 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the PIT 7 (Q3 21:18) — (6:18) 1-G.Joseph 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 3 (Q3 17:15) — (2:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 22-N.Harris for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q3 17:11) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 21–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 1 (Q4 14:52) — (14:52) 22-N.Harris left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIN 15 (Q4 14:49) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 30 (Q4 12:17) — (12:17) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 13-J.Washington for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings found the end zone from the PIT 62 (Q4 11:00) — (11:00) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 17-K.Osborn for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Minnesota Vikings added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 10:51) — 1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 15 (Q4 4:19) — (4:19) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 88-P.Freiermuth for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the MIN 2 (Q4 4:14) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 18-D.Johnson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 53:13) — (8:13) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger scrambles up the middle to MIN 34 for 5 yards (90-S.Richardson). PENALTY on MIN-24-M.Alexander, Defensive Holding, 5 yards, enforced at MIN 34. [WPA +11.6% · EPA +3.89]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 50:36) — (5:36) 9-C.Boswell 49 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin. [WPA -9.4% · EPA -4.51]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 56:47) — (11:47) 1-G.Joseph 53 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry. [WPA -7.9% · EPA -3.41]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 50:29) — (5:29) (Shotgun) 33-D.Cook left tackle to PIT 31 for 30 yards (34-Te.Edmunds). [WPA +7.8% · EPA +2.10]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q1 57:28) — (12:28) (Shotgun) PENALTY on MIN, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at PIT 38 - No Play. [WPA -7.2% · EPA -0.86]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 5:08) — (5:08) (Shotgun) 8-K.Cousins pass short right intended for 17-K.Osborn INTERCEPTED by 25-A.Witherspoon at PIT 38. 25-A.Witherspoon to MIN 21 for 41 yards (12-D.Westbrook). [WPA -2.0% · EPA -7.26]
• Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 23:32) — (8:32) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 18-D.Johnson INTERCEPTED by 21-B.Breeland at PIT 48. 21-B.Breeland ran ob at PIT 30 for 18 yards (22-N.Harris). [WPA -0.0% · EPA -6.42]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q3 17:11) — (2:11) 8-K.Cousins pass deep right intended for 18-J.Jefferson INTERCEPTED by 25-A.Witherspoon (55-D.Bush) [95-C.Wormley] at MIN 46. 25-A.Witherspoon to MIN 42 for 4 yards (17-K.Osborn). [WPA -0.6% · EPA -4.85]
• Minnesota Vikings (Q4 11:00) — (11:00) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 17-K.Osborn for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +5.1% · EPA +4.80]

Quarterback report card

B.Roethlisberger led all passers in efficiency for Pittsburgh Steelers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 50 dropbacks · 56.0% completion · +2.6% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -1.09 total EPA
• K.Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) · 34 dropbacks · 41.2% completion · -18.5% CPOE · -0.24 EPA/play · -8.10 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Minnesota Vikings held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.05 vs -0.15), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Minnesota Vikings: 13 drives, -4.74 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• Pittsburgh Steelers: 14 drives, -14.11 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Minnesota Vikings leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• D. Cook (Minnesota Vikings) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• K. Cousins (MIN) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q1 48:37 · PIT 14 · Score 0-6
   (3:37) 8-K.Cousins pass short right to 18-J.Jefferson for 14 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q2 44:47 · PIT 20 · Score 0-9
   (14:47) 1-G.Joseph 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
3. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 40:02 · PIT 29 · Score 0-15
   (10:02) 64-B.Brandel reported in as eligible. 33-D.Cook right end for 29 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 39:55 · PIT 15 · Score 0-16
   1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry. PENALTY on MIN-52-M.Cole, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
5. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q2 32:25 · PIT 7 · Score 0-22
   (2:25) 33-D.Cook right end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q2 32:20 · PIT 15 · Score 0-23
   1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
7. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 24:41 · PIT 24 · Score 0-26
   (9:41) 1-G.Joseph 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
8. Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q3 21:18 · PIT 7 · Score 0-29
   (6:18) 1-G.Joseph 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 17:15 · MIN 3 · Score 6-29
   (2:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 22-N.Harris for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 17:11 · MIN 15 · Score 7-29
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 14:52 · MIN 1 · Score 13-29
    (14:52) 22-N.Harris left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 14:49 · MIN 15 · Score 14-29
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 12:17 · MIN 30 · Score 20-29
    (12:17) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 13-J.Washington for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Minnesota Vikings TD (+6) — Q4 11:00 · PIT 62 · Score 20-35
    (11:00) 8-K.Cousins pass deep left to 17-K.Osborn for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Minnesota Vikings XP (+1) — Q4 10:51 · PIT 15 · Score 20-36
    1-G.Joseph extra point is GOOD, Center-42-A.DePaola, Holder-3-J.Berry.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 4:19 · MIN 15 · Score 26-36
    (4:19) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 88-P.Freiermuth for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q4 4:14 · MIN 2 · Score 28-36
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 18-D.Johnson is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.