Minnesota Vikings VS Pittsburgh Steelers - Dublin Ireland Pregame Preview

Football Nation
Sep 25
3 min read

NFL Network and NFL Plus | 9:30 a.m. ET

Ireland hosts its first regular season NFL game as two legacy brands meet on the Croke Park pitch. Pittsburgh returns to international play for the first time in twelve years. Minnesota owns the best record away from the United States at 4 and 0, part of a four game international streak that began with a win over the Steelers in London in 2013. The Vikings will follow Dublin with another trip abroad next week in London, the first club to play in two different countries in one season. The league’s global push keeps accelerating, and Dublin gets a showcase.

Three storylines to know

1) A veteran quarterback duel with very different arcs

Carson Wentz stepped in for the injured J J McCarthy and looked settled in Kevin O Connell’s system last week, going 14 of 20 for 173 yards with two scores and no turnovers. He now pairs that structure with Justin Jefferson against a defense that will challenge his pocket discipline.Across the field, Aaron Rodgers has been efficient early in his Steelers tenure with seven touchdown passes and elite red zone success. The timing down the field is still a work in progress. Running back Jaylen Warren leads the team in receptions, while new arrivals D K Metcalf and Jonnu Smith are still building chemistry with Rodgers. Minnesota’s secondary and pressure looks will test that timing.

2) Flores brings the heat, and Pittsburgh must answer

Since Brian Flores took over, Minnesota has led the league in blitz rate at 45.4 percent and defensive touchdowns with seven. Rodgers has struggled versus extra rushers over the past two seasons at 5.7 yards per attempt, and he threw three interceptions against a Flores defense last year including a pick six. Pittsburgh has leaned on short throws and yards after the catch with 443 YAC accounting for 73 percent of Rodgers’ passing output. That approach meets a Vikings unit that has allowed only 225 YAC and ranks top three against the pass at 141.3 yards per game. If the Steelers cannot generate balance on the ground, sustaining drives will be difficult.

3) Jordan Mason as the swing piece

Minnesota’s trade for Jordan Mason is already paying off. In his first start for the Vikings he produced 116 rushing yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns, running behind a healthy Christian Darrisaw. The matchup is favorable again. Pittsburgh has allowed 139.3 rushing yards per game and leads the league in missed tackles on run plays at 28. Mason averages 94.3 rushing yards per start since 2024 and has the contact balance to punish arm tackles. The Steelers still bring splash plays up front with T J Watt, Cameron Heyward, and rookie Derrick Harmon, but first they must slow the run.

WATCH PARTY WITH FOOTBALL NATION

Quick history and context

Minnesota is 4 and 0 in international games, tied with Philadelphia and Carolina for the best perfect mark abroad. Pittsburgh is seeking its first win outside the United States after falling to the Vikings in London in 2013. The setting adds another layer for the Steelers organization. The Rooney family’s ties to Ireland run deep, including decades of philanthropy and a long association with Croke Park. For the franchise, Dublin is as much a homecoming as a showcase.

Injury notes

VikingsJavon Hargrave chest did not practiceDonovan Jackson wrist did not practiceRyan Kelly concussion full participantJ J McCarthy ankle did not practiceJosh Metellus foot limitedJalen Redmond hand full participantJustin Skule concussion full participantAndrew Van Ginkel neck did not practiceBen Yurosek knee did not practice

SteelersDeShon Elliott knee limitedAlex Highsmith ankle did not practiceJoey Porter Jr hamstring limitedPatrick Queen oblique limited