As fans know, the Pittsburgh Steelers often find themselves in close games. Wins don’t come without stress, usually. Against the Minnesota Vikings, that was the case once again. While the Steelers controlled most of the game, they almost choked their win away in the fourth quarter. Things went downhill when the Steelers attempted to convert a fourth down near the goalline with around four minutes left. Unfortunately, they failed, but Aaron Rodgers doesn’t regret that decision.
“It’s 24-14, we’re at the three-yard line,” Rodgers said after the game via the team’s YouTube channel. “We score, it’s a three-score game. We make the extra point, 17-point lead, game’s over. We don’t get it, they gotta go 60 yards to get in range for a field goal.
“They’re two scores down. We kick a field goal there, it’s 27-14. We kick the ball off, you get the ball on the 35, which is kind of the average start position around the NFL. They gotta go 65 yards to score. To me, it was worth it to try and end the game right there.”
Rodgers’ logic is sound. Going for it in that spot isn’t a terrible decision. Had the Steelers scored a touchdown, that would have iced the game. Going up three scores with that little time left would have dashed the Vikings’ comeback hopes.
The Steelers’ fourth-down play call was strange, though. Instead of giving it to Rodgers, a future Hall of Famer, they ran it up the middle. Sometimes, simplicity isn’t a bad idea, but it felt like the Steelers played into the Vikings’ hands there.
Granted, the Steelers had a great day running the ball. Kenneth Gainwell and the offensive line were firing on all cylinders. On that drive alone, Gainwell amassed over 30 rushing yards.
However, the Steelers have weapons like Darnell Washington or DK Metcalf, both great redzone targets. In that scenario, it might’ve been a better idea to give Rodgers the ball and let him try to make something happen.
Instead, Gainwell’s run failed, and the Vikings capitalized on that opportunity to spring back into the game. Had the Steelers lost, their decision on that fourth down would’ve loomed large.
Hindsight’s 50/50, though. Despite that late burst from the Vikings, the Steelers still won. Their offense and defense both played well, an encouraging sign for the future. Going into their bye week, the Steelers are 3-1, which has to have them feeling good. Hopefully, they can carry this momentum into the rest of their season.
