Vikings and Steelers collide, at risk of elimination

The Minnesota Vikings have spent their entire season on the brink. All his games except one have been decided by a touchdown.

The wild-card race in the National Conference that recently seemed affordable will now require a bit more work.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are out of the AFC playoff spots and also face a tough schedule at the end. But his outlook looks better after Sunday’s 20-19 win over Baltimore.

As serendipitous and unpredictable as the results in the NFL may be, it appears the Steelers cracked the code in these close games. Meanwhile, the Vikings try to solve the same riddle.

“Obviously we would like to have a wide win and not have to worry, but I think we can learn something from last week’s game,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said.

Sunday brought a cruel ending for the Vikings in Detroit, when the season-less Lions prevailed 29-27 with a touchdown pass on the last play, ending a 75-yard offensive drive. .

Coach Mike Zimmer’s job is probably in jeopardy due to these last minute failures. In eight seasons with Minnesota, he has seen his team lose seven times by a combined margin of just 28 points.

IN THE CLASSIFICATION

The Steelers (6-5-1) are eighth in the AFC, but three teams – Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati and Buffalo – currently have the wild-card walks and a slight 7-7 lead. 5.

The Vikings (5-7) are ninth in the NFC, one game behind Washington and San Francisco and a half behind Philadelphia.

TJ. FOR MVP

Steelers linebacker TJ Watt equaled the franchise record for sacks in a season, set by James Harrison. He reached 16 with a 3 1/2 performance against Baltimore. Watt is on track to break the one-season NFL record (22 1/2) set by Hall of Fame Michael Strahan with the Giants in 2001.

Some of his teammates believe that Watt should be the Defensive Player of the Year. That is not enough for Roethlisberger.

“He should definitely have the MVP votes, because he’s that type of player,” he said.