Preview capsule: Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (in Dublin, Ireland)
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Records: Minnesota (2-1), Pittsburgh (2-1)
Kickoff: Sunday 9:30 a.m., NFL Network (Joe Davis and Greg Olsen)
BetMGM NFL Odds: Vikings by 2.5
Against the spread: Vikings 2-1; Steelers 1-2
Series record: Steelers lead 10-9
Last meeting: Vikings beat Steelers 36-28 on Dec. 9, 2021, in Minneapolis.
Last week: Vikings beat Cincinnati 48-10 at home; Steelers beat New England 21-14 in Foxborough, Mass.
Vikings offense: overall (28), rush (13), pass (30), scoring (6)
Vikings defense: overall (6), rush (22), pass (3), scoring (9)
Steelers offense: overall (30), rush (31), pass (24), scoring (12)
Steelers defense: overall (28), rush (26), pass (26), scoring (22)
Turnover differential: Vikings plus-2; Steelers plus-5
Vikings player to watch: CB Isaiah Rodgers. The first player in Vikings history with two defensive touchdowns in a game, Rodgers led the romp over the Bengals by scoring on an 87-yard interception return and a 66-yard fumble return in the first half. He added two forced fumbles and two pass breakups.
Steelers player to watch: DT Cam Heyward. The 15-year veteran raised eyebrows by staging a "hold in" during training camp in hopes of getting a raise. Whatever rust -- and ill-will -- he might have had to brush off is now long gone. Heyward had one of the best games of his stellar career against the Patriots, picking up a sack, forcing a fumble and deflecting a pass that ended up in the hands of teammate Brandon Echols in the end zone to cut short a New England drive.
Key matchup: Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey vs. Minnesota WR Justin Jefferson. With Pittsburgh's new-look secondary expected to return to full strength for the first time since Week 1, Ramsey -- who has been working in various roles, including safety -- can return to his main job of matching up with the opponent's top receiver. This week, that means taking on Jefferson, whose numbers have been modest (by his standards) through three games. That could change with fellow wideout Jordan Addison back following a three-game suspension, meaning Jefferson might see a little less double coverage and a lot of Ramsey.
Key injuries: Vikings: DT Javon Hargrave (chest/ribs) and OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) were held out of practice on Wednesday, with the hope of ramping them up as the week unfolds. … QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is out again, with Carson Wentz filling in. Center Ryan Kelly (concussion) is on track to return after missing the previous game, but rookie left guard Donovan Jackson (wrist) is out. Two starters remain on short-term IR with hamstring strains: LB Blake Cashman and RB Aaron Jones. Steelers: Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (ankle) will miss his second straight game. Safety DeShon Elliott (knee) could be back after getting injured in the season opener three weeks ago. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) could also return after sitting out the past two games.