Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Linebacker Joey Porter jaws at Brad Johnson after sacking the Vikings quarterback for a 4-yard loss in the second quarter. Click photo for larger image. More Steelers Randle El's 72-yard punt return set the stage for only touchdown Steelers Notebook: Help still needed to clinch playoff spot Steelers Photo Journal: Game 14 Q&A: Dermontti Dawson NFL News Steelers' next oppont: Browns make most of second chance to edge Raiders, 9-7 AFC North: Bengals maul Lions to capture division title Wild Card Race: Colts horse collared by Chargers, streak ends 26-17 Wild Card Race: Jaguars edge lowly 49ers, despite stagnant offense Stats and more in the Sports Forecaster NFL Watch

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Steelers played in a dome for the second time this season, and it all happened again: The false starts, the turnovers, the confusion on offense, the mistakes. Only this time, it happened in the din of the Metrodome to the home team, the Minnesota Vikings.

The Steelers this time played like the team pumped up by noise as they rolled over the Vikings, 18-3, to end Minnesota's six-game win streak and keep their own wild-card playoff hopes alive at 9-5 with two to go. They still need some help in order to make the playoffs after San Diego unseated Indianapolis yesterday, but they say they cannot concern themselves about that.

"We put ourselves in a hole through the year, so right now we have to fight for everything we get," linebacker Joey Porter said.

In that sense, Porter, linebacker Larry Foote and the rest of the Steelers' defense took the gloves off and mauled Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson and his offense. Porter had a sack, an interception and shared a safety with Foote, who had five tackles for losses. Cornerback Deshea Townsend intercepted Johnson in the end zone, and Minnesota managed only 54 yards rushing and 185 overall, both season lows for an opponent.

The Steelers' offense benefited from all this and also from a 72-yard punt return by Antwaan Randle El and a 49-yard run by Willie Parker, whose 81 yards spearheaded a 142-yard ground game.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scrambled for a 3-yard run for the game's only touchdown, Jeff Reed kicked three field goals and Porter and Foote tackled Michael Bennett in the end zone for a safety for the Steelers. Paul Edinger kicked a 20-yard field goal for Minnesota's only points; Kimo von Oelhoffen blocked his 32-yard field-goal attempt.

"Our defense and special teams played so well today, they gave us good field position," said Roethlisberger, who threw only 15 passes, completing 10 for 149 yards and no interceptions. "They're so much fun to watch. I was on the sideline, jumping up and down. I have to be careful not to get a penalty out there, I'm out on the field half the time yelling and screaming.

"It's so much fun to watch our defense play when they're clicking like they were today."

The Vikings (8-6) committed five false starts on offense and drew three penalties for prematurely crossing the scrimmage line on defense.

Porter explained the false starts as "a little bit of nervousness over the pass rush that's going to come."

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Steelers linebacker Larry Foote stops Vikings running back Ciatrick Fason at the 1-yard line during a Steelers goal line stand that forced the Vikings to settle for a field goal after recovering a first quarter turnover at the 3 yard line. Click photo for larger image.

"When you have an offensive line scared of guys [they're] going against, they're going to false start because they want to get off early," Porter said.

The Steelers' defense, leading, 3-0, set the tone early after a muffed punt by Randle El gave the Vikings a first down at the Steelers' 3 in the first quarter. Cornerback Ike Taylor broke up a pass on first down and on third down at the one, Foote tackled rookie running back Ciatrick Fason for a one-yard loss. Edinger kicked a 20-yard field goal to tie the game, 3-3, and the Vikings never scored again.

"Holding them to a field goal was huge in the beginning of the game," coach Bill Cowher said.

They did not hold them to field goals three other times they came into scoring territory -- they shut them out.

The first time, Johnson threw a pass from the 6 to Koren Robinson. Linebacker James Farrior smacked Robinson, the ball popped up and Porter intercepted it. Next time, Townsend ended the first half by intercepting Johnson in the end zone. And von Oelhoffen later blocked the third field goal of his NFL career when Edinger sent one low from 32 yards away.

What little offense the Steelers managed was enough. All they needed was a little after Randle El's 72-yard punt return gave them the ball on Minnesota's 14 in the second quarter.

Roethlisberger wanted to throw to Verron Haynes on third down at the 3, but held off, rolled left and looked for Randle El.

"I came back to the left side and saw the Red Sea open up and I took off running," the quarterback said.

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El knocks Vikings nose tackle Pat Williams aside to clear the way for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's touchdown dive into the end zone. Click photo for larger image.

Randle El threw a block, and Roethlisberger dived for the front left corner of the end zone. He stretched the ball out in his right hand, wearing a glove to help protect his injured thumb.

"At that point in the game, it was anything for a touchdown," Roethlisberger said. "I had to get it in. We had to score, and I was going to do whatever I had to get it in."

As the game wore on, it was apparent the Vikings would do nothing to get the ball in and the Steelers' 10-3 lead looked like a keeper. Parker, bottled up with just five yards on four carries in the first half, burst off right guard, cut deftly left through a hole in the line and burst down the left sideline for a 49-yard run in the third quarter before he was caught at the Minnesota 19.

"Everyone says he's fast. I wish he'd score instead of getting run out of bounds," coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said, joking. "I'm waiting to see that 'fast' from Willie. But he does give you that element."

Reed turned the run into a 41-yard field goal and a 13-3 lead. The rookie Fason then muffed Reed's intentional, short, fungo kickoff, and Tyrone Carter recovered for the Steelers at the 29. That gave Reed three more points when he hammered a 26-yard field goal for a 16-3 lead.

The noise in the Metrodome now was made primarily by the several thousand Steelers fans who came in from the 3-degree temperature outside at kickoff.

"Whenever they would seem to be getting any momentum, we stepped up and would silence the crowd and silence them," said linebacker Clark Haggans. "We just played hard and made plays when we had to."

The Steelers' offense watched as its defense, appropriately, closed the scoring.

Cornerback Chidi Iwuoma downed Chis Gardocki's punt at the 2 in the fourth quarter. From there, Bennett took a handoff. Nose tackle Casey Hampton shoved backup center Cory Withrow into Bennett. Foote and Porter swooped in to make the tackle in the end zone for the two-point safety.

"If you want to play in January, you have to play your best football in December," Porter said. "It was good for our defense to go out and play back-to-back good games. It was a good stepping stone."

And yesterday's stone was carved from the Vikings' necks.