Vikings-Steelers Is Loaded with Twists and Trouble
The Minnesota Vikings aim to extend their winning ways to a 3-1 start in 2025, but they must first go through the Pittsburgh Steelers. Consider the following key storylines for the event.
In Dublin, the Vikings take on the Steelers, and these are the storylines to know for that event across the pond in Week 4.
Minnesota is a 2.5-point favorite over Aaron Rodgers‘ team, and the Vikings have never lost a game overseas.
Storylines for Vikings at Steelers
Here’s the stuff to monitor early Sunday morning.
1. Don’t Blink Because There Will Be Turnovers
Between both clubs, Minnesota and Pittsburgh have forced 15 turnovers in three games — yes, you read that right. Games involving these two clubs average two and a half forced interceptions and fumbles per contest.
There will be mistakes.
On the other hand, both teams have handed the ball to opponents eight times in three games. We’re talking approximately four total turnovers per game between Minnesota and Pittsburgh.
Unless a regression to the mean suddenly sets in, the Ireland game could feel sloppy.
2. The Final Chapter against Aaron Rodgers
We wrote this last year, and look like damn fools right about now.
In 2024, a loss to Minnesota while a member of the New York Jets, Rodgers was “supposed” to play his final game against a team that he’s terrorized since 2008. But then the future Hall of Famer left New York, held everyone in offseason suspense for a few months, and eventually signed with the Steelers.
Rodgers seemed to hint this summer that 2025 is his final hurrah, so here we are, once again, mentioning that Sunday’s game will be the end of the Rodgers-Vikings rivalry. In 17 seasons, Rodgers has played against Minnesota 30 times and won on 17 occasions.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on Rodgers this week: “Rodgers is second in the league in touchdown passes at seven, only behind Lamar Jackson who’s at nine. But if you look at him in a clean pocket, he’s completing 78 percent of his passes. Under duress, it’s 27 percent. He’s not doing much.”
“You know Brian Flores knows that, and Brian Flores is going to bring the rain. I don’t expect the Steelers offense to do much in this particular game. It should be a very low-scoring game because you know the Vikings defense could help to assist in neutralizing the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
3. An Old Friend in Mike Tomlin
Mandatory shoutout whenever Pittsburgh plays Minnesota: Tomlin came from the Vikings. He served as the defensive coordinator for the purple team when Pittsburgh promoted him in 2007. It’s why Vikings fans always remember Tomlin fondly.
Since taking the top job in the AFC North, Tomlin has an even-steven record against his former employer: 2-2.
Depending on how long Tomlin stays in his spot — Pittsburgh rarely fires coaches — this is the rubber match of the Tomlin era.
4. The Evolving Wentz v. McCarthy Debate
J.J. McCarthy is out for a few weeks with a high ankle sprain, a brutal blow for a young quarterback who needs snaps. So, Carson Wentz is in the house, and last week, he took on the “game manager” role with total ease. Kevin O’Connell calls Wentz a “point guard,” so, indeed, Minnesota is looking for something between Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer of yesteryear.
Well, if Wentz and the Vikings continue to win games in McCarthy’s absence, a fervent debate will erupt — continue? — about inserting McCarthy back into the lineup when he’s fully healthy. Some will want McCarthy to get the nod, no matter what, as keeping him sidelined might stunt his development. Others will want Minnesota to continue a good thing, if applicable, with Wentz.
All it will take, however, to swing the discussion in McCarthy’s favor is a single bad performance from Wentz. That’s how short folks’ memories and patience are in the contemporary sports climate. Hell, some Vikings fans have already forgotten or don’t care that McCarthy personally produced a 4th Quarter comeback in his first-ever game. He stunk the following week, and that’s the lasting recollection that remains.
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling on Wentz and McCarthy:
Wentz became the seventh different quarterback to start for coach Kevin O’Connell in four years; the Vikings became the sixth team for which Wentz had started in six years. O’Connell said Sunday that Wentz will get “another opportunity” to start for the Vikings on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland.”
While J.J. McCarthy’s recovery from a high ankle sprain could mean Wentz starts against the Cleveland Browns in London as well, McCarthy could be healthy by the time the Vikings return to U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 19 to face the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. If the Vikings feel good about McCarthy’s health and readiness to start coming out of the bye, it could mean that Wentz’s time as the starter concludes before he gets another opportunity at U.S. Bank Stadium like he had Sunday.
The Wentz v. McCarthy debate will evolve on Sunday. It doesn’t really matter what happens. The decision will take on new shape.
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