Following their impressive opening win vs. the Saints, the Minnesota Vikings look to play the role of road warriors versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh starts Sunday at 1:00 EST, with the game featured regionally on FOX and on NFL Sunday Ticket.
Everyone may be talking about the week 1 the Packers had. But the Vikings showed they’re going to make serious noise in the NFC North too.
Their 29-19 victory over New Orleans showcased an offense that may be more potent than expected. Though the Saints aren’t a good measuring stick for how good a passing game can be, Sam Bradford has begun to silence some critics, with 346 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Steelers had a much closer kickoff to their season against the lowly Browns. Though a 21-18 win versus an NFL bottom-feeder doesn’t look good, Antonio Brown continued to light up the stats sheet with 182 yards receiving.
The Steelers should have a few key defensive players back for the home opener. Their control of the line (only 57 rushing yards allowed) looks to carry over against a Vikings team that looks to have its back of the future in Dalvin Cook.
The Steelers are currently 5.5-point favorites, with the over/under placed at 45.
Don’t expect the Steelers to be this sloppy in their home opener. Le’Veon Bell won’t be running a mere 10 times and Ben Roethlisberger will have some of the load taken off his shoulders.
The Vikings defense will have their hands full with an offense as balanced as the Steelers. But they’re easily one of the most talented defensive squads in the league, no matter if CB’s Terence Newman and Pro Bowler Xavier Rhodes aren’t 100% healthy coming in. But they are huge pieces, ones that when unhealthy may allow more chances for a high-flying aerial attack.
The Steelers have one of the deepest and most-talented receiving corps, and Brown will be a major concern against a hampered Rhodes. And if they decide to double him too often, there’s at least three or four other guys who can beat Minnesota all over the field.
Vikings QB Sam Bradford will also be tested early and often by the Pittsburgh defense, which compiled seven sacks last week. They already had the ninth-most in the league last season. That pressure will only be turned up with LB/DE Bud Dupree (4.5 sacks in 2016) and potentially Stephon Tuitt (4 sacks) back in the lineup.
One thing the Vikings have in their back pocket is a potentially dynamic running back. Even in the post-Adrian Peterson era, a healthy Dalvin Cook (22 carries for 127 yards) gives Minnesota a dynamic change of pace that’s a must for them this year.
This game will come down to two key aspects. The first is if the Minnesota passing attack is for real, or predicated on the fact they played the Saints defense. The second is whether the Steelers get both Brown and Bell going together.
With the Vikings best asset, their defensive backs, roughed up a bit, we’ll take the Steelers by a late touchdown to Brown.