The international spotlight shines on Dublin, Ireland this Sunday as the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers square off in a Week 4 matchup that strips away traditional home-field edges and tests which team can adapt better to a neutral site environment. Both squads arrive at 2–1, though their paths couldn’t be more different—Minnesota comes in riding momentum from a balanced, turnover-driven victory in Week 3, while Pittsburgh seeks stability after failing to cover the spread in each of its first two outings despite grinding out wins. For the Vikings, the keys will be tempo control and offensive balance, as their run game must set a tone to keep the Steelers’ front seven honest, while Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson stretch coverages with their route precision and YAC potential. Their offensive line will face challenges against a Pittsburgh front that, despite some misalignment issues early in 2025, still flashes disruptive potential, and any breakdowns in protection could disrupt their timing rhythm. Defensively, Minnesota has to replicate its recent success in collapsing pockets and tightening red-zone play, particularly as the Steelers’ offense has struggled to finish drives without miscues.

For Pittsburgh, the pressure is squarely on the offense to establish identity and rhythm; their quarterback must settle into quicker decisions to offset Minnesota’s rush, and their ground game needs to churn consistent gains not just for yardage but to stabilize tempo and protect their line from wearing down. Defensively, the Steelers have to clean up missed tackles and blown assignments, as the Vikings thrive on extending possessions with high success-rate plays and breaking games open with explosives when coverage lapses. Special teams may loom large in Dublin, as international games often hinge on field position and error-free execution, and both squads will be wary of how one muffed kick or poor coverage unit could flip momentum in a lower-scoring environment. Bettors view Minnesota as the slight favorite, not only because of Pittsburgh’s ATS woes but also due to the Vikings’ recent run of road consistency and defensive cohesion, which should translate well to the neutral-site stage. Ultimately, this contest shapes up as a test of discipline and adaptability more than sheer talent; the team that best avoids mistakes, manages situational football in the red zone and on third downs, and capitalizes on hidden yardage opportunities will emerge from Ireland with a win and a valuable boost in the standings.

Get live NFL odds and precise AI NFL picks, predictions, and cover probabilities.