How the Vikings Can Actually Take Down the Steelers
Kevin O’Connell will get his first crack at the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, one of the only teams he has not faced as the Minnesota Vikings’ head coach. To beat Pittsburgh, his squad must check three boxes.
Consider these the keys to victory for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, on deck to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin.
The Vikings are riding a wave of pounding the Cincinnati Bengals last week, boatracing Zac Taylor’s team 48-10.
Here’s how to continue the momentum.
3 Ways the Vikings Can Take Down the Steelers
It won’t be easy, but Minnesota has a clear path to victory in Ireland.
1. Pressure, Sack Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers can’t really move at all anymore — like he used to or in general.
His escapability was once elite for a pocket passer, but those days are long gone. It’s basically why Rodgers is no longer a threat to win the NFL MVP award. With that talent deficiency, Minnesota must bother Rodgers from cover to cover on Sunday. The only way that he’ll rekindle vintage Rodgers form — he’s utterly carved up Minnesota in the past — is if Minnesota doesn’t get pressure.
An unbothered Rodgers will lead the Steelers to victory over the Vikings. Aaron Rodgers consistently in the grass will result in a loss for Pittsburgh.
This is how Minnesota toppled the New York Jets in 2024, Rodgers’ former employer. Knock the man around.
2. Win the Turnover Battle
Between the two of them, Minnesota and Pittsburgh games have resulted in 23 total turnovers through three weeks (15 takeaways, 8 giveaways). Both clubs rank near the top of the NFL in turnover differential, and both obviously grab the rock from opponents via interceptions and fumbles.
The matchup in Dublin will be as simple as this: by the time you go to bed on Sunday night, pull up the box score, and first look at the turnover split. Whichever team wins will have won the game in hindsight.
These teams live and die by turnovers. Both of them.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis noted this week: “Biggest concerns: Ball security. The Steelers are synonymous with forcing turnovers. It’s their calling card. Case in point: Pittsburgh leads the NFL since 2023 in turnovers forced with 68. It’s no wonder that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Flores developed such a close relationship. Both of their football philosophies hinge on takeaways, traditionally the most predictive statistic for winning.”
“The quickest way the Vikings can lose this game is to give Rodgers more possessions. Running back Jordan Mason must hold onto the ball, and receivers must be mindful of punches coming from all angles. Tomlin has only won 30 percent of his games when the Steelers lose the turnover battle. It’s that significant a key in this game.”
3. Never Abandon the Run
Whether Carson Wentz is under center or J.J. McCarthy is on the field, the current iteration of Vikings isn’t yet designed to throw the football 50 times a game. Forty might even be pushing it. The two passers are not known for their volume at this juncture of their careers.
Therefore, Minnesota must run the football on Sunday and do it efficiently. That means a healthy dose of Jordan Mason, with the upstart Zavier Scott providing relief.
Minnesota is running the rock the fifth-most in the NFL per playcalling percentage, and it seems Kevin O’Connell finally got the message: the best teams in the NFL control game tempo by running the ball, while setting the opposition up for explosive plays.
FantasyLife‘s Sam Wallace on Mason:
We didn’t have to wait long to see Mason assert his dominance over this backfield; in Week 1, Mason (15) outcarried Jones (8). With Jones (hamstring) now on Injured Reserve, this backfield is unquestionably Mason’s, and he put on a show in Week 3. Without competition from the veteran, Mason posted a line of 16 rushing attempts for 116 yards (7.3 yards per carry) and two TDs. The Vikings righted the ship a bit with Carson Wentz under center, and we’ll see how the team approaches the QB situation in the weeks ahead.
Regardless, without Jones, Mason is in a prime spot to dominate touches for the foreseeable future. If you’re a dynasty manager who is not competing, I would be looking to flip Mason to a contender who needs an RB. With injuries to the position already racking up, Mason could net you a nice return. If you need an RB and already have Mason, sit back and enjoy the ride.
O’Connell’s team cannot get down early on the scoreboard and abandon the run. Run the ball from start to finish and move the sticks, especially with a newly minted game manager like Wentz in the huddle.
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