NFL Football
2025-09-28 - Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 4
Sunday 28th September 2025 - Scheduled 9:30am
2:30pm (British Time)
Preview
The next game on schedule for both of these teams is against the Cleveland Browns, but they will get to that in different weeks.
For the first time in NFL history, a regular season game is set to be played in Dublin, Ireland and it will be hosted by the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1), who have owners with links to the country.
They are facing the Minnesota Vikings (2-1), who will be facing the Cleveland Browns next week in London and become the first NFL team to play back to back international games in different countries.
It is a non-Conference game, but the international setting and the Steelers and Vikings both being involved in what should be competitive Divisions should mean there is a full focus on the game.
The Vikings are playing an international game for the third time in four seasons, including last year when they got the better of Aaron Rodgers and his New York Jets team in London. That experience is important and it is perhaps contributing to the Vikings being set as the favourite in Dublin, while they can also expect to be favoured when facing Cleveland next week in London.
Aaron Rodgers has helped the Steelers into a winning position through three weeks, but all has not been completely smooth for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Road wins over the New York Jets, which Rodgers really enjoyed, and the New England Patriots have sandwiched a loss to the Seattle Seahawks and it should be noted that the NFC West team are the only one that hold a winning record.
One of the big issues early in the season has been the Pittsburgh Offensive Line and they have struggled to open running lanes, while also having issues with protecting Aaron Rodgers and giving the veteran time to find Receivers down the field. An early chemistry has been built with DK Metcalf, but the Steelers Offensive Line have to find a way to establish the run in this game to make things more comfortable for Aaron Rodgers.
They are facing a Vikings Defensive Line that has had a slow start to the new season, but it is still tough to envision the Steelers suddenly ripping off big gains on the ground. The team are averaging just 2.8 yards per carry through three games and that has put their veteran Quarter Back in a tough spot, especially as they have struggled in pass protection.
Failing to run the ball efficiently against the Minnesota Vikings will lead to more pressure up front and this is a team that has rushed the passer really well. Any time Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers are behind the chains, the Vikings should be able to get close to him and that will only serve to attack what many believed could be a vulnerable Secondary.
This is clearly going to be the best Quarter Back that Minnesota will have seen through four games, but no one likes having to throw under duress and it could be key to at least stall some drives and force Field Goals or Punts rather than giving up Touchdowns.
Running the ball could be a tough task for the Steelers, but the Minnesota Offensive Line have to be really confident that they can establish Jordan Mason early and often. He is the lead Running Back with Aaron Jones out, but Mason showed his worth in the win last week and this Pittsburgh Defensive Line that has not been reaching the standards of the Steel Curtain of old.
In recent years it has been possible to run the ball against Pittsburgh and the early signs are not good for the Steelers, which should mean the Vikings are putting Carson Wentz in the best spot to be successful.
JJ McCarthy is travelling with the team for this two week business trip, but Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has made it clear that he does not expect the young signal-caller to be available to play. That means the job is in the hands of Carson Wentz, a Quarter Back who looked like he was going to be a franchise player early in his Philadelphia career, but who has become a backup in recent seasons.
However, he is operating under the guidance of a Head Coach who has earned a big reputation at getting the best out of his Quarter Back and Wentz had a solid first start for the Vikings as they comfortably rolled past Cincinnati.
If the team is running the ball as well as they can, things should be pretty comfortable for Carson Wentz who has Jordan Addison available for the first time this season. Justin Jefferson is one of the top Receivers in the League, and some would THE top Receiver, and the Vikings should be able to attack this Secondary from third and manageable range, which would also mean slowing down the Pittsburgh pass rush.
The Steelers could have a couple of key Defensive Backs available for this one, which is important to aid them, but the key will be to find a way to stop the run. Being unable to do that will just make it comfortable for Carson Wentz to get the ball out of his hands quickly and that should see the Vikings moving the chains and ultimately pushing into a position to win this game.
Turnovers are always a factor that could be decisive, but this Vikings Defensive unit may make the bigger plays, especially on the Line of Scrimmage, and that can see the NFC North team come out on top.
Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers both have very strong records as the underdog and that has to be respected.
However, the Quarter Back was beaten in that exact spot by the Minnesota Vikings in London last season, and the team with the stronger expectations at the Line of Scrimmage on both sides of the ball can come through in a tough game here.
Prediction
Lay the points with the favourite in this International Series game being played in Dublin.
The Pick :
Pittsburgh Steelers 17-24 Minnesota Vikings
