This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
When it was 29-0, it looked for a brief moment the Vikings might finally play a game that didn't go down to the last possession. Turns out it was just a test of one's faith. Of course, the game came down to the last play!
Honestly, it was almost ideal for me -- I had the Vikings minus three, used it in the SuperContest and I had picked up Ben Roethlisberger for a spot start in an NFFC league that's fighting for a postseason berth. It looked grim when the Steelers were stuck on zero, and Roethlisberger threw a pick, but his final line -- 308 yards and three touchdowns exceeded my most optimistic expectations from that point.
- Ben Roethlisberger is retiring after the season, but he looked pretty good over the last 25 minutes. The team's offensive line finally gave him a little protection, and his receivers made plays.
- Najee Harris (20-94-1, 3-3-10-1) turned what looked like a dud into a monster game. He also took a run that looked like a stuff and turned it into a key first down. I don't know what his ceiling is behind a better offense line, but the floor is high.
- Diontae Johnson (1-7-0, 10-5-76-0, 2pt conversion) always gets his. He had a few end zone targets that were near misses, and caught another two-point conversion attempt, but couldn't get into the end zone.
- Chase Claypool (9-8-93-0) redeemed himself after a penalty and a near-fumble, making tough contested catches. His ceiling would be higher on a team that could protect its quarterback long enough for deep plays to develop, though.
- Kirk Cousins made some nice throws, but you can't throw picks in situations when all you need to do is run clock and punt. That said, Cousins has only five picks all year.
- Dalvin Cook (27-205-2, 3-1-17-0) had the kind of monster game that makes you not check your opponents' lineups for fear you're going against him. He had massive holes through which to run all night and hit them at 100 mph. If the shoulder were bothering him, it was not apparent.
- Justin Jefferson (15-7-79-1) looked like he would have a massive game -- most of his production came in the first quarter, but the Steelers shut him down in the second half. K.J. Osborne (9-3-83-1) paid off for you, but it was all on one long TD.
- It looked dire for Greg Joseph when he missed a 53-yard FG and a PAT, but he got you three more FGs and three more PATs after that.
