It turns out that the perceived emotional edge that the Steelers carried into their international game against the Vikings wasn’t just real, it was apparent.

There were hustle plays, energy plays and engagement plays on display that the Steelers hadn’t seen and rarely sees during any NFL Sunday game.

And those were plays the Steelers needed in Ireland in what could have been a blowout but turned into a nail-biter.

The most obvious of them was when inside linebacker Payton Wilson sprinted almost 60 yards down the field to catch wide receiver Jordan Addison and tackle him at the Steelers’ 1-yard line late in the fourth quarter — a heroic dash that temporarily saved a touchdown and in the process cost the Vikings valuable time off the clock. That move might have ultimately saved the game.

See Full Page