In a dismal performance, the Vikings give up a much needed victory in an ugly 18-3 loss.

The loss isn't as bad as it seems within the confines of the game. It showed that the defense is playing pretty well, but the offense is suffering greatly.

The Vikings' offense turned a special-teams fumble recovery on the 3-yard line into a field goal. The fumble was when the Vikings punted, the Steelers' Randel El called for a fair-catch, but backed off, instead blocking a Viking in apparent hopes of letting the ball bounce into the end zone. Instead the ball bounced into Randel El, and then deflected away, to where the Vikings recovered the ball. There was much controversy on the play, which was at one point overturned, then the Vikings challenged and won, again overturning the decision. Finally the game was allowed to continue. Granted, there was a questionable end zone reception that should have been a Viking touchdown, but in three tries, the Vikings managed to march only one net yard forward, followed by the field goal; their only score for the game.

Missing from the game were Vikings defensive turnovers. The fumble recovery was the only one the Vikings managed, and that was on the punt return special team. No fumbles made by the Steelers was recovered by the Vikings, and no interceptions were made, either. While not essential to victory, turnovers help a lot, especially if you make 'em but don't take 'em

The Vikings' defense held the Steelers' offense to very similar stats as the Steelers' defense allowed the Vikings' offense. The Vikings' offense offered up three red-zone turn overs that stole three scoring opportunities away. The Steelers also blocked one field goal, steeling yet another Vikings score.

Perhaps their name has nothing to do with metallurgy, after all.