Can the Minnesota Vikings Crush the Steelers’ Dublin Dream or Will Pittsburgh Pull Off an Irish Upset?

What’s better than hopping across the pond for some high-stakes football drama? The 2025 NFL International Series kicks off this Sunday morning at Dublin’s iconic Croke Park, where the Minnesota Vikings (2-1) take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) in a game that’s got ‘must-see’ written all over it. Now, I can’t help but wonder—does playing halfway across the world give the Vikings that extra edge, especially since they’re no strangers to winning overseas? That 2013 London loss for the Steelers feels like ancient history, but does Pittsburgh’s much-vaunted “Mike Tomlin Voodoo” have enough magic left to counter Minnesota’s sharp coaching staff and tougher defense? With fresh faces like Jordan Addison debuting for the Vikes and a Steelers squad looking a bit shaky despite their record, I’m leaning toward the Vikings to cover—and maybe even teach a little lesson on European turf. Strange time zones, British media distractions, and real talent on the field: who really knows how this story ends? One thing’s for sure—this game isn’t just a business trip; it’s a high-wire act under the Irish sun. LEARN MORE.

The 2025 NFL International Series kicks off in Dublin, Ireland, Sunday morning (9:30 a.m. ET) in NFL Week 4 when the Minnesota Vikings (2-1) face the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at Croke Park. This is Minnesota’s second straight season playing overseas after beating the New York Jets 23-17 last year. Pittsburgh returns to the United Kingdom for the first time since 2013.

Coincidentally, the Steelers lost that game to the Vikings 34-27 in London. Pittsburgh had QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Le’Veon Bell, and WR Antonio Brown. While Minnesota’s quarterback was Matt Cassel, and former Vikings RB Adrian Peterson was coming off his 2,000-yard season. But, obviously, nothing that happened in 2013 applies to their meeting this weekend.

I’m going back to the well with Minnesota to win and cover over Pittsburgh after using the Vikings last week on my Circa Million VII NFL Week 3 card. Minnesota’s defense will give Aaron Rodgers fits. Aside from the quarterback, the Vikings have one of the best offensive personnel in the NFL with an elite playcaller. Their recent international experience is an edge as well.

My bet on Minnesota is more about fading Pittsburgh, which needed a touchdown with 2:16 left to beat the New England Patriots 21-14 despite winning the turnover battle 5–1. The Steelers lost the yards-per-play battle 5.2 to 4.1 and converted nine fewer first downs.

They got sh*t-whipped by the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 and eked out a win at the New York Jets, who were expected to finish last in the AFC East. So, excuse me if I’m not impressed with Pittsburgh’s 2-1 record. Just like the past 4-5 seasons, the Steelers thrive because of Mike Tomlin Voodoo.

Meanwhile, Minnesota opened a case of a**-whooping on the Cincinnati Bengals last week. In fact, the score was Vikings 34, Minnesota CB Isaiah Rodgers 14, Cincy 10. Obviously, it was Vikings 48, Bengals 10. But my point is, Minnesota’s defense is nasty.

Rodgers’ second-worst game for the Jets last season, by QB Rating (54.9), was against the Vikings in London. Rodgers completed 29-of-54 passes for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, including a pick-six by Vikings EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel.

In NFL international games, I like betting the team that’ll be most excited to showcase the sport to new fans and/or go on a business trip. Can I back that up with facts? Absolutely not. It just makes sense in my stupid brain that the team that is happier to be playing football overseas has a better chance of winning.

Especially when they are more talented. Plus, I don’t get the vibe that Pittsburgh’s vets are pumped to play football in Ireland. Again, I have nothing to support this, so maybe I’m just talking sh*t.

Backup Vikings QB Carson Wentz ran the offense well last week, and second-string RB Jordan Mason ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. He didn’t score, but Minnesota WR Justin Jefferson led the team in targets (seven) and receiving yards.

Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson caught five balls for 49 yards and his first touchdown of the season. After serving a three-game suspension, Minnesota WR Jordan Addison makes his season debut in Ireland this weekend. In his first two seasons, Addison has looked like he could be a solid No. 2 option alongside Jefferson.

Another angle I use is betting on the more tactical coach during short or unusual weeks. An international game qualifies as “unusual”. The logic is simple: it’s harder for a less tactical coach to come up with a strong game plan when thrown off routine, whether it’s adjusting to the British media and the United Kingdom time zone.

With all due respect to Tomlin, who I love, the Vikings have a better coaching staff. Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has probably won more one-score games over the last three seasons than anyone in the NFL. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is among the sharpest defensive minds in football.

At the end of the day, this matchup probably swings on a couple of random plays, which somehow always seem to break Tomlin’s way. But when you remove the Tomlin voodoo and look strictly at rosters and playcalling, Minnesota should win this game by at least three points.

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