National Football League

Thursday Night Football top plays: Vikings hold off Steelers in thriller

Updated Dec. 10, 2021 1:25 a.m. ET

Kicking off Week 14 of the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers came up short on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, 36-28.

Heading into Thursday night, both teams were on the bubble of the NFL's playoff picture and looking to secure a much-needed victory. The first half was all Vikings, as they jumped out to a 23-0 lead, but the Steelers got a spark in the second half, scoring four times in 13 minutes to give Minnesota a run for its money.

In the end, the Vikings outlasted the Steelers in an absolute thriller in Minnesota.

Here are the top plays from Thursday's matchup.

Minnesota Vikings 36, Pittsburgh Steelers 28

FIRST QUARTER

Here's something you don't see every day!

After both teams traded off missed field goals, the Vikings were first on the board when star wideout Justin Jefferson found the end zone on this lob from Kirk Cousins.

A missed extra point left Minnesota up 6-0 headed into the second frame.

SECOND QUARTER

The Vikings made it a 9-0 game early in the second with a quick field goal. Then, Minnesota was able to push its lead to double-digits behind a 29-yard rushing touchdown from Dalvin Cook, who tonight returned from a one-game absence due to injury, to take a 16-0 lead.

The Vikings' defense continued to dominate, keeping pressure on Ben Roethlisberger.

Then, Cook punched in his second TD of the night on this short scamper, as Minnesota jumped out to a 23-0 lead ahead of the break.

It was an abysmal first half for Mike Tomlin's defense.

THIRD QUARTER

The Vikings got the scoring started in the second half by adding an early field goal to extend their lead.

On Pittsburgh's ensuing drive, Roethlisberger was picked off on the Steelers' side of the field, setting the Vikings up on the 30-yard line. Minnesota settled for a field goal on that drive and took a 29-0 lead.

But Pittsburgh didn't waste any time charging downfield upon getting the ball back.

How about this catch from James Washington?

With momentum on their side, the Steelers finally got on the board when rookie running back Najee Harris, who rushed for a mere 17 yards in the first half, found the end zone on that same drive, later in the third.

On the next play, the Steelers got the ball right back after Pittsburgh picked off Cousins on this wild play.

FOURTH QUARTER

Harris made the most of the short field, punching in his second TD of the night to cut Minnesota's lead to 29-14.

After the Vikings went three-and-out, Pittsburgh went to work closing the gap.

It began with a Roethlisberger completion to Diontae Johnson for 37 yards early in the frame.

And it ended with a 30-yard pass from Big Ben to Washington for a touchdown to make it a nine-point game.

Just like that, the Steelers were right back in it after three consecutive TDs and 20 unanswered points.

The Vikings, however, got the response they needed, putting together a three-play, 75-yard scoring drive of their own on their ensuing possession.

Cousins dropped this dime to K.J. Osborn, good for a 62-yard TD to extend Minnesota's lead to 36-20 midway through the fourth.

But the Steelers weren't going down without a fight, as Pat Freiermuth reeled in this pass to make it a one-score game once again with 4:14 to play.

Then, Minnesota punted it away after its next possession, giving Big Ben a chance to push Pittsburgh all the way back down to the Minnesota 12-yard line with three seconds to go.

On the final play of the game, Roethlisberger was unable to connect with Freiermuth in the end zone, giving the Vikings a narrow victory.