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Steelers' D provides points

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By ALAN ROBINSON

The Associated Press

Published: October 26, 2009

Updated: 10/26/2009 12:24 am

PITTSBURGH - Three times the Minnesota Vikings were ready to take the lead and possibly put away the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Even for Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson, three times weren't nearly enough to remain perfect against a defense that not only outplayed the Vikings but outscored them.

LaMarr Woodley returned Favre's fumble 77 yards for a touchdown and Keyaron Fox ran back an interception 82 yards for another score during the closing minutes, and the Steelers turned three major defensive stands into a 27-17 win Sunday to hand the Vikings their first loss.

Two goal-line stands helped turn the anticipated quarterback showdown between Favre and Ben Roethlisberger into a defensive duel. And the Super Bowl champion Steelers (5-2) are tough to beat in any game that's decided by defense. The Vikings (6-1) had a first down inside the Steelers 1 in the third quarter but settled for a field goal.

Woodley's return, with the linebacker huffing and puffing for the final 30 yards, was reminiscent of James Harrison's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl against Arizona. The touchdown put the Steelers up 20-10 with 6:23 remaining, after the Vikings drove to the Steelers 8 and were in position to take their first lead since Peterson's 2-yard touchdown run put them up 7-3 in the second quarter.

Defensive end Brett Keisel stripped Favre of the ball as he dropped back to pass, and Woodley scooped it up to give the Steelers a seemingly secure lead. But Percy Harvin immediately came back with an 88-yard kickoff return touchdown.

That gave Favre a chance to pull it out, but the 40-year-old, who had twice led the Vikings to last-gasp victories this season, couldn't this time.

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