Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin: Odds, Prediction & NFL Picks (Sept 28)

The NFL is taking over Dublin for the league’s first-ever regular-season game in Ireland, and it’s a spicy one: 2–1 Minnesota vs 2–1 Pittsburgh in a neutral-site, early-kickoff window. The broadcast is on NFL Network at 9:30 a.m. ET from Croke Park.

Game Details

Date & Time: Sunday, September 28, 2025, 9:30 AM ET
Location: Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland
TV/Streaming: NFL Network, DAZN, NFL Game Pass
Records: Both teams enter at 2-1

Odds snapshot (as of today)

Spread: Vikings -2.5 (opened -1.5)
Total: 40.5
Moneyline: Vikings ~-140 / Steelers ~+120 (varies slightly by book)

Key Injuries

Vikings

QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle) – Out
C Ryan Kelly (concussion) – Questionable
DT Javon Hargrave (chest) – Questionable
LB Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) – Questionable
OT Justin Skule (concussion) – Questionable
S Joshua Metellus (foot) – Questionable

Steelers

LB Alex Highsmith (ankle) – Out
CB Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) – Questionable
S DeShon Elliott (knee-MCL) – Questionable
LB Patrick Queen (oblique) – Questionable
G Max Scharping (knee) – IR

Recaps

Minnesota (2–1) is coming off a demolition of Cincinnati, 48–10, behind a defense that went full pinball machine: DB Isaiah Rodgers scored twice (a pick-six and a scoop-and-score), and the Vikings poured in 31 points off turnovers. With J.J. McCarthy sidelined, Carson Wentz played clean ball (14/20, 173 yards, 2 TD) and will start again in Dublin. RB Jordan Mason ran for 116 yards and two scores in that win.

Pittsburgh (2–1) just survived New England, 21–14, on a late Aaron Rodgers TD pass to Calvin Austin after a sloppy, turnover-heavy Patriots day. Rodgers moved to 4th all-time in passing TDs during that game and now sits at 7 TDs, 3 INTs through three weeks with the Steelers. Edge rusher T.J. Watt added two sacks in Foxborough.

Matchups

Vikings offense vs. Steelers defense

Wentz doesn’t have to be a superhero for Minnesota to function; he just needs to keep the train on the tracks and let his guys win. Through three games, Justin Jefferson leads the team with 12 catches for 200 yards and a TD, and Jordan Mason is at 214 rushing yards and 2 TDs while Jones heals. The possible return of Jordan Addison from suspension gives the Vikes a legitimate second perimeter threat again. The one concern: losing LG Donovan Jackson for two games is real; interior leakage in a neutral site is how drives stall.

Pittsburgh’s defense still has teeth T.J. Watt remains a drive-ender but without Highsmith and with both Porter and Elliott less than 100%, the secondary has been stressed. The Steelers have allowed chunk plays and were hanging on with takeaways in Week 3. If Porter/Elliott both return, it nudges things, but Jefferson vs. any CB without full match fitness still favors Minnesota.

Steelers offense vs. Vikings defense

It’s a new era: Aaron Rodgers to DK Metcalf is now a thing in black and gold, and the numbers say it’s viable Rodgers has 586 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT, with Metcalf already at 135 yards and 2 TD. That said, Pittsburgh’s rushing output (189 yards total) has been stuck in the mud, and their overall yardage has lagged opponents significantly through three games. Minnesota’s defense, fresh off that turnover avalanche, is opportunistic; if the run game doesn’t threaten, Flores can heat up Rodgers and squeeze windows.

Betting approach & pick

I make this a mild matchup edge to Minnesota on a neutral field. Here’s the short version of the handicap:

Quarterbacking: Wentz isn’t McCarthy, but he doesn’t need to be; last week showed the offense stays on-schedule with him. Rodgers is still Rodgers, but Pittsburgh’s passing efficiency has been more “methodical with flashes” than consistently explosive.
Weapons/health: Minnesota likely brings Jefferson + (a fresh) Addison back into the fold, while the Steelers are sweating the statuses of Porter/Elliott and are down Highsmith. If both DBs dress, I still lean MIN’s WRs in space.
Trenches: Vikings lose LG Jackson (downgrade), but Pittsburgh’s own attrition (Scharping out) and sputtering ground game cap their ceiling in a low-total environment.
Environment: early kick, travel, neutral site historically a small nudge toward lower-variance football. That fits Minnesota’s current formula (defense + Jefferson explosives) a hair better.

Best Bet: Vikings -2.5 (playable to -2.5; below -3 preferred). Lean: Under 41 (would still consider at 40.5 but smaller stake). My projected score: Vikings 23, Steelers 17.