Vikings-Steelers Thursday Night Football Live Score Updates: NFL Week 14
Time to see if the Vikings can bounce back and keep their season alive — or if their collapse will continue on a national stage.
We're set for kickoff between the Vikings and Steelers from U.S. Bank Stadium on a beautiful Thursday night in Minneapolis. Minnesota is wearing its Primetime Purple uniforms for the first time this year, while the Steelers are in their classic road whites.
The big news for the Vikings is that star running back Dalvin Cook is active and starting tonight. Despite dislocating his shoulder just 11 days ago in San Francisco, he's playing through it with the season on the line. Cook has a shoulder harness on and is expected to see his usual workload.
As expected, Adam Thielen and Christian Darrisaw are inactive for the Vikings due to injuries. K.J. Osborn will get the start at wide receiver opposite Justin Jefferson, and Minnesota will keep the same offensive line from last week, with Oli Udoh at left tackle, Garrett Bradbury at center, and Mason Cole at right guard.
Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, and Patrick Peterson are back in action for the Vikings tonight.
This is about as big as it gets. With a win, the Vikings would be right back in the heart of the NFC wild card race heading into another primetime game in Chicago two Mondays from now. With a loss, their season is realistically over — and Mike Zimmer's tenure in Minnesota might be done, too.
Follow along for live updates during the game, and follow me on Twitter for additional analysis.
Final: Vikings 36, Steelers 28
Pat Freiermuth couldn't hold onto the ball at the last second and the Vikings survive.
Score updates
Fourth Quarter
Vikings 36, Steelers 28
4:14 — This is a one-score game. Seriously. Cousins threw a pick that was returned a long ways, and the Steelers capitalized with a touchdown pass and two-point conversion.
Vikings 36, Steelers 20
10:51 — There's a response by the Vikings' offense. Kirk Cousins throws a dime to K.J. Osborn for a 62-yard touchdown to snatch some momentum back. Osborn got away with a push-off on the play.
Vikings 29, Steelers 20
12:11 — Is this really happening? The Steelers forced another three-and-out and then drove for a quick touchdown on just three plays. The Vikings did get a big stop on the two-point try to keep it a two-score game, but all the momentum is on Pittsburgh's side right now. Blowing a 29-0 second-half lead would be an all-timer for the Vikings.
Vikings 29, Steelers 14
14:49 — We've got a ballgame, folks. After a Cousins pass to Jefferson was tipped and picked off, the Steelers get their second touchdown in less than 2:30 of game time. This is suddenly quite dangerous for the Vikings. Blowing a 29-0 lead would be quite on-brand for them.
Third Quarter
Vikings 29, Steelers 7
2:11 — The Steelers are on the board. A Kris Boyd taunting penalty helps set up a Najee Harris touchdown reception to end the shutout late in the third quarter.
Vikings 29, Steelers 0
6:15 — The Vikings' defense finally gets on the board in the takeaway column with a Bashaud Breeland interception, and they turn it into another field goal after struggling in the red zone again. Kirk Cousins hasn't been great tonight, but it hasn't mattered.
Vikings 26, Steelers 0
9:36 — That Vikings drive didn't really go anywhere, but they were already in field position. It's a four-score game.
12:25 — The Vikings' domination has carried over to the start of the second half. Sheldon Richardson just got Minnesota's fifth sack of the game, and they have incredible field position.
Injury note: The Steelers are without their best player for the rest of the game as T.J. Watt was ruled out with a groin injury.
Second Quarter
Vikings 23, Steelers 0
2:20 — This is a blowout. The Steelers have no answer for the Vikings right now. Dalvin Cook just waltzed into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game and is up to 144 yards and two scores on 13 carries.
7:39 — Absolutely everything is going well for the Vikings right now. Harrison Smith just sacked Ben Roethlisberger for the Vikings' third straight three and out defensively. They're getting the ball back with a chance to add to their lead.
Vikings 16, Steelers 0
9:55 — The Vikings are rolling. After forcing a punt, they drive right downfield and punch the ball into the end zone on a 29-yard touchdown run by Dalvin Cook. He's up to 117 yards and a touchdown on just 7 carries and has barely been touched.
Vikings 9, Steelers 0
14:43 — Justin Jefferson could have three touchdown catches already if he had made a couple spectacular catches. Another near-miss in the end zone forces the Vikings to settle for a field goal, and Joseph finally makes a kick on his third try.
First Quarter
1:55 — After a Chase Claypool fumble was overturned, Xavier Woods made a big tackle for loss on third-and-1 to force a Steelers punt.
Vikings 6, Steelers 0
3:31 — We have points. Set up by a couple big runs from Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison, Cousins hits Jefferson for a 14-yard touchdown to get the party started in primetime. Greg Joseph misses the extra point and is quickly 0 for 2 on kicks tonight.
5:32 — The Steelers have joined in on the missed field goal party. Chris Boswell, who came into the game as the NFL's most accurate kicker this season, hooks it wide left from 49 yards out. Still scoreless in Minneapolis. Guess it's windy inside U.S. Bank Stadium?
11:43 — The Vikings' first drive comes up empty with a missed 53-yard field goal by Greg Joseph. It was a bit surprising to see Mike Zimmer elect not to go for it on 4th and 3 in Steelers territory. Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson just missed connecting on a long touchdown a few plays earlier.
