The Steelers have a long history of memorable moments throughout the years, and during the 2025 season we are going to highlight those moments against each week's opponent.

This week, we feature games against the Minnesota Vikings.

Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6
Super Bowl IX
January 12, 1975
Tulane Stadium

The Steel Curtain vs. the Purple People Eaters.

A classic matchup between two dominant defenses. A team making their first Super Bowl appearance versus a team that had already been there.

"They were a team that had been there before, that had the experience of that environment," said Hall of Fame receiver John Stallworth. "From that perspective, I thought maybe they had an upper hand about what it takes to win. I didn't think they were unbeatable. It was a football team that had a little bit more experience."

While the Vikings had experience, the Steelers had a quiet confidence that couldn't be challenged.

"We had so much momentum going into the Super Bowl," said Hall of Fame defensive tackle Joe Greene. "It built our confidence sky high. Chuck (Noll) told us not to get overwhelmed by the Super Bowl.

"We had a lot of confidence. It wasn't that we were taking Minnesota lightly. It was confidence we had in ourselves. Confidence that we built, and that group of players was playing for the team, playing to win that Super Bowl.

"And that was the joy in the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl IX."

The joy was plentiful as the Steelers defense would dominate in the game, leading the way for a 16-6 win over the Vikings and the Steelers first of four Super Bowls in the 1970s.

The defense held the Vikings to 119 total yards, nine first downs, 17 rushing yards, and their only touchdown coming on a blocked punt, after which they missed the extra point.

It was Dwight White, who heroically played in the game, that would get the Steelers on the board first when he sacked Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton in the end zone for the safety and 2-0 lead.

White was hospitalized the week leading up to the game with pneumonia, but somehow didn't just show up to play, but was one of the game's key factors.

Offensively, the Steelers did what they were known for, they ran the ball. Hall of Famer Franco Harris, who would earn MVP honors, carried the ball 34 times for 158 yards and a touchdown. Rocky Bleier added 17 carries for 65 yards.

The Steelers threw the ball only 14 times, with Terry Bradshaw completing nine passes for 96 yards and a touchdown pass to tight end Larry Brown.

For everyone on the team, winning that first Super Bowl was about one thing, getting a trophy for Art Rooney Sr., lovingly known as 'The Chief.'

When linebacker Andy Russell presented Rooney with the game ball in the locker room, everyone felt the emotion.

"You had an understanding through the year of how much it meant to the fans in Pittsburgh, never having been to the Super Bowl, a couple of years where they were close in the playoffs," said Hall of Fame receiver Lynn Swann. "But to get to the Super Bowl and to win the game, and to see the look and the tears in the eyes of Art Rooney Sr., it was worth every minute of it."

Steelers 18, Minnesota Vikings 3
December 18, 2005
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

Defense ruled the day for the Steelers, holding the Vikings, who were on a six-game winning streak, to only a field goal.

The defense forced three turnovers and scored a safety as they led the way for the team.

"I have to be careful not to get the penalty out there, I'm on the field half the time yelling and screaming," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger of showing support to the defense. "But, it's so much fun to watch our defense play, especially when they are clicking like they were today."

A stingy defense allowed the Vikings just 54 yards, including only 43 yards on 11 carries by running back Michael Bennett. Quarterback Brad Johnson also had only 16 completions for 143 yards and was intercepted twice. In addition, kickoff coverage was strong and special teams came through.

In the second quarter, with the teams tied at 3-3, Joey Porter intercepted Johnson at the Steelers five-yard line to kill the Vikings potential scoring drive.

After both teams exchanged possessions, it would be special teams that would provide the perfect setup. Antwaan Randle El returned a punt 72 yards to the Vikings 14-yard line, providing a much-needed spark.

"First thing is I think our defense and our special teams, I can't say enough about them," said Coach Bill Cowher. "We had a couple of turnovers. I think the big stand we obviously had on the punt was key. Holding them to a field goal was huge in the beginning of the game. I thought special teams did a great job.

"We made enough plays on offense. We knew we had a tough place to come up to. They are a good football team.

"Our coverage teams did a good job. Jeff (Reed) did a good job kicking it. He squibbed it one time. We blipped it one time. We were just trying to disrupt their timing because they are a pretty special kickoff return group. Like I said our punt coverage did a great job. Obviously, we had a big return by (Antwaan Randle) El. I thought that was a big turning point in the game on the punt return in the first half Those guys came in key today."

The only touchdown of the game came on a three-yard run by quarterback Roethlisberger in the second quarter, to give the Steelers a 10-3 lead that they wouldn't relinquish.

"Every game now is played like a playoff game," said Roethlisberger. "We know if we do get lucky enough to make the playoffs, it's going to be on the road. That's why we are treating this as a road playoff game, in a dome where it's loud and it was important for us to come out and get this win. We said it over and over, it's a one game season for us."

Steelers 27, Minnesota Vikings 17
October 25, 2009
Heinz Field (Now Acrisure Stadium)

There are games when the offense carries a team, and there are games when it's the defense that does.

On this day, in a game that had Ben Roethlisberger facing Hall of Famer Brett Favre, it was the defense that carried the Steelers to victory.

The Minnesota Vikings came to Pittsburgh with a 6-0 record, looking to keep their streak going. But the defense would have no parts of it.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Steelers held a slim 13-10 lead. But the fireworks were about to start.

Favre drove the Vikings to the eight-yard line, where he was sacked by defensive lineman Brett Keisel, forcing a fumble. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley recovered and took off running, going 77 yards for a touchdown and a 20-10 lead.

"I saw the ball come out and I saw it laying on the ground," said Woodley. "My thought process was fall on it, or else pick it up. I decided to pick it up. I was taking a chance. But then, when you pick it up, you might as well get what you can get and make something out of it. I made a touchdown out of it."

Before Woodley and everyone else had a chance to catch their breath, the fireworks ensued. On the next play Percy Harvin took the kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown, bringing the Vikings right back in it at 20-17.

After the Vikings held off the Steelers' offense, it was up to the defense again. Favre did what he does best, driving his team to the 19-yard line. With a big play needed, the defense came through again. Linebacker Keyaron Fox, playing for Lawrence Timmons who left the game with an ankle injury, picked off Favre and returned it 82 yards for the touchdown and 27-17 lead.

The Vikings had one last gasp, but linebacker James Harrison sacked Favre on the final play of the game to seal the win.

Offensively the numbers weren't pretty, but the defense did what they needed to get the win.

"We're pretty fortunate to win that football game to say the least," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "When you look at the stat sheet and you look at some of the things that happened in that game, usually you don't win those. They pounded a couple in on us, but we stayed in the fight, guys didn't blink and to their credit, we were able to win the game.

"When you put up a couple of splash plays defensively, you put 14 points on the board defensively, you can overcome a lot of errors. We were far from a perfect team, but we won."

Steelers 26, Minnesota Vikings 9
September 17, 2017
Heinz Field (Now Acrisure Stadium)

On a day when Ambassador Dan Rooney was remembered in an emotional pregame ceremony, the Steelers did their job and honored him on the field with their play, defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 26-9, in front of 65,971 fans.

Before the game the team honored Rooney with a video tribute to the life Rooney led, and the impact he had on so many. A flag was raised in the South Plaza outside of Gate A, with the DMR shamrock patch the players are wearing all season emblazed on it.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger came out for introductions waving a similar flag, and the crowd erupted with love, before falling quiet for a moment of silence.

"I had tears in my eyes," said Roethlisberger. "I had to try to snap out of it and get ready to go."

The Pittsburgh Symphony's Brass and Percussion Sections led the crowd in the National Anthem, and the fans joined in singing in one voice, a tribute to a man who represented his country as the United States Ambassador to Ireland. The anthem was followed by a flyover by the 13th Bomb Squadron.

Hall of Famers Joe Greene and Franco Harris, two players who had a close bond with Rooney, served as co-captains for the coin toss, wearing their game jerseys with the DMR patch adorned on them.

"This was so special," said Greene. "To pay tribute to him on this day, the home opener, goes without saying. It's very appropriate. We all say this is a good thing to honor a great man. To bestow this kind of honor, remembrance on him, is special."

The emotions carried over to the field, as an inspired team would not be denied winning this one, while improving their record to 2-0. A swarming, relentless defense brought pressure all day, and the offense got in gear early and never turned back.

Roethlisberger completed 23 of 35 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense did their part to shut down the Vikings and do everything to make Ambassador Rooney proud.

"He was a grandfather figure to everybody," said Roethlisberger. "He treated everybody the same. It didn't matter who you were, where you came from, what you did. Everybody was important to him. He always had time to shake your hand, look at you, talk to you."