Steelers 18–3 Vikings: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 15, 2005

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings?

B. Johnson (Minnesota Vikings), 44.4% completion, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -8.22 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 43.5% completion, +0.33 EPA per dropback, +7.65 total passing EPA.

Quick answer

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 18–3 Minnesota Vikings
Halftime: Pittsburgh Steelers 10–3 Minnesota Vikings at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: B. Roethlisberger
Top passer: Buddy Johnson
Biggest EPA play: (3:39) 5-C.Kluwe punts 43 yards to PIT 5, Center-46-C.Loeffler. 82-A.Randle El MUFFS catch…
Game date: 2005-12-18

Game summary

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings 18–3 on 2005-12-18. B. Roethlisberger posted a game-high +7.65 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 7 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Pittsburgh Steelers	3	7	6	2	0	18
Minnesota Vikings	3	0	0	0	0	3

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

PITPittsburgh Steelers

+3PIT 2

+3MIN 22

MINMinnesota Vikings

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

7 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q1 11:11FG
Joe Reed
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 3
Score
3-0
(11:11) 3-J.Reed 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
MINMinnesota Vikings
Q1 2:02FG
PEP. Edinger
Points+3
Yard line
PIT 2
Score
3-3
(2:02) 1-P.Edinger 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 3:37TD
BRB. Roethlisberger
Points+6
Yard line
MIN 3
Score
9-3
(3:37) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 3:30XP
Joe Reed
Points+1
Yard line
MIN 2
Score
10-3
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q3 3:52FG
Joe Reed
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 22
Score
13-3
(3:52) 3-J.Reed 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q3 0:39FG
Joe Reed
Points+3
Yard line
MIN 8
Score
16-3
(:39) 3-J.Reed 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q4 11:51Safety
MBM. Bennett
Points+2
Yard line
PIT 98
Score
18-3
(11:51) 23-M.Bennett up the middle tackled in End Zone for -2 yards, SAFETY (50-L.Foote, 55-J.Porter). PENALTY on PIT-50-L.Foote, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +7.65 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
2A.Randle El · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.81 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.90 EPA/play
3Herb Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.34 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.17 EPA/play
4Micah Robinson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.82 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.91 EPA/play
5Keilan Robinson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +3.32 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
6N. Burleson · Minnesota Vikings · Receiving · +1.97 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
7Cedrick Wilson Jr. · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.33 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
8W. Parker · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.32 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.66 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

B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing

B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+7.65) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 23 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.

B. Roethlisberger's top snap (+3.77 EPA): (12:56) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 83-H.Miller pushed ob at MIN 8 for 50 yards (29-B.Williams).

Biggest single play (+5.72 EPA): C. Kluwe — (3:39) 5-C.Kluwe punts 43 yards to PIT 5, Center-46-C.Loeffler. 82-A.Randle El MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by MIN-57-R.Smith at PIT 3. 57-R.Smith to PIT 3 for no gain (Team).

Quarterback report card

Buddy Johnson led all passers in efficiency for Minnesota Vikings, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Buddy Johnson (Minnesota Vikings) · 36 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · -0.23 EPA/play · -8.22 total EPA
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 23 dropbacks · 43.5% completion · +0.33 EPA/play · +7.65 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Pittsburgh Steelers	Minnesota Vikings
Offensive EPA/play	-0.028	-0.289
Offensive success rate	43.9%	35.1%
Pass EPA/play	+0.333	-0.228
Rush EPA/play	-0.284	-0.424
Defensive EPA/play	+0.289	+0.028
Defensive success rate	64.9%	56.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.03 vs -0.29), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Pittsburgh Steelers: -0.03 EPA/play (43rd percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
Minnesota Vikings: -0.29 EPA/play (2nd percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)

Minnesota Vikings: 12 drives, -21.35 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, -2.33 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Roethlisberger (Q2 3:37)

Field goals

Pittsburgh Steelers — Joe Reed (Q1 11:11)
Minnesota Vikings — P. Edinger (Q1 2:02)
Pittsburgh Steelers — Joe Reed (Q3 3:52)
Pittsburgh Steelers — Joe Reed (Q3 0:39)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIN 3 (Q1 11:11) — (11:11) 3-J.Reed 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Minnesota Vikings connected on a field goal from the PIT 2 (Q1 2:02) — (2:02) 1-P.Edinger 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the MIN 3 (Q2 3:37) — (3:37) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the MIN 2 (Q2 3:30) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 6–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIN 22 (Q3 3:52) — (3:52) 3-J.Reed 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the MIN 8 (Q3 0:39) — (:39) 3-J.Reed 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 2–0. Pittsburgh Steelers registered a safety from the PIT 98 (Q4 11:51).

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Minnesota Vikings (Q1 3:39) — (3:39) 5-C.Kluwe punts 43 yards to PIT 5, Center-46-C.Loeffler. 82-A.Randle El MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by MIN-57-R.Smith at PIT 3. 57-R.Smith to PIT 3 for no gain (Team). [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.72]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 6:58) — (6:58) 5-C.Kluwe punts 41 yards to PIT 14, Center-46-C.Loeffler. 82-A.Randle El pushed ob at MIN 14 for 72 yards (35-C.Fason). [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.00]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 12:56) — (12:56) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 83-H.Miller pushed ob at MIN 8 for 50 yards (29-B.Williams). [WPA +13.2% · EPA +3.77]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 10:48) — (10:48) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 18-K.Robinson INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Porter at PIT 5. 55-J.Porter to PIT 5 for no gain (67-M.Fowler). PENALTY on MIN-64-A.Herrera, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, [WPA -12.9% · EPA -5.53]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 0:23) — (:23) (Shotgun) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 87-M.Robinson INTERCEPTED by 26-D.Townsend at PIT -5. Touchback. [WPA -9.4% · EPA -2.84]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Minnesota Vikings (Q1 3:39) — (3:39) 5-C.Kluwe punts 43 yards to PIT 5, Center-46-C.Loeffler. 82-A.Randle El MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by MIN-57-R.Smith at PIT 3. 57-R.Smith to PIT 3 for no gain (Team). [WPA +16.2% · EPA +5.72]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 10:48) — (10:48) 14-B.Johnson pass intended for 18-K.Robinson INTERCEPTED by 55-J.Porter at PIT 5. 55-J.Porter to PIT 5 for no gain (67-M.Fowler). PENALTY on MIN-64-A.Herrera, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, [WPA -12.9% · EPA -5.53]
Minnesota Vikings (Q2 6:58) — (6:58) 5-C.Kluwe punts 41 yards to PIT 14, Center-46-C.Loeffler. 82-A.Randle El pushed ob at MIN 14 for 72 yards (35-C.Fason). [WPA -15.8% · EPA -5.00]
Minnesota Vikings (Q3 3:49) — 3-J.Reed kicks 45 yards from PIT 30 to MIN 25. 35-C.Fason MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by PIT-23-T.Carter at MIN 29. [WPA -4.6% · EPA -4.77]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 11:11 · MIN 3 · Score 3-0
(11:11) 3-J.Reed 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Minnesota Vikings FG (+3) — Q1 2:02 · PIT 2 · Score 3-3
(2:02) 1-P.Edinger 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Loeffler, Holder-14-B.Johnson.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 3:37 · MIN 3 · Score 9-3
(3:37) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger left end for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 3:30 · MIN 2 · Score 10-3
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 3:52 · MIN 22 · Score 13-3
(3:52) 3-J.Reed 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 0:39 · MIN 8 · Score 16-3
(:39) 3-J.Reed 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Pittsburgh Steelers Safety (+2) — Q4 11:51 · PIT 98 · Score 18-3
(11:51) 23-M.Bennett up the middle tackled in End Zone for -2 yards, SAFETY (50-L.Foote, 55-J.Porter). PENALTY on PIT-50-L.Foote, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs.

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.
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings on 2005-12-18?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Minnesota Vikings 18-3 in Week 15, 2005.

What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings?

Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Minnesota Vikings 3; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 6, Minnesota Vikings 0; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 2, Minnesota Vikings 0; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 18, Minnesota Vikings 3.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings?

Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Roethlisberger (Q2 3:37) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q1 11:11, 3 pts) Minnesota Vikings field goal — P. Edinger (Q1 2:02, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q3 3:52, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q3 0:39, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings?

Buddy Johnson (Minnesota Vikings), 44.4% completion, -0.23 EPA per dropback, -8.22 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 43.5% completion, +0.33 EPA per dropback, +7.65 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings?

B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +7.65 total EPA on Passing plays. across 23 snaps. Their top snap (+3.77 EPA): (12:56) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass to 83-H.Miller pushed ob at MIN 8 for 50 yards (29-B.Williams)..

Season records after this game

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 8-5 Now 9-5 W

Minnesota Vikings

Entered 8-5 Now 8-6 L

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2005 Week 15 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

Top fantasy performers · Vikings

Quick answer

Game summary