Vikings vs Steelers
The NFL’s first regular-season game in Ireland kicked off at Croke Park in Dublin, and by the time the final stats began circulating online, one truth was clear—Vikings vs Steelers the Pittsburgh Steelers had just survived a furious comeback attempt from the Minnesota Vikings. The final score stood at 24-21, but the real story was how the Vikings nearly erased an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit in front of a pro-Steelers crowd of 74,512. This marked the first international win of Aaron Rodgers’ storied career.
Pre‑match expectations pointed toward a showdown between two AFC North contenders, with star players like Carson Wentz and Kenneth Gainwell expected to shine. Few predicted that Wentz would throw for 350 yards and two touchdowns or that Gainwell would rush for 99 yards and two scores. Yet the result was shocking: the Steelers led 24-6 in the fourth quarter before the Vikings erupted for 15 unanswered points, only to fall short when Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt made game-saving plays.
Disclaimer: This is a highlight/statistics recap of the Vikings vs Steelers NFL game. All content is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Stats and footage belong to their respective owners.
Teams, Lineup & Game Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Vikings vs Steelers – NFL Week 4 |
| Date | September 28, 2025 |
| Venue | Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland |
| Start Time | 2:48 PM GMT |
| Attendance | 74,512 |
| Game Duration | Approx. 3 hours |
| Series Status | Steelers lead 1-0 in 2025 |
| Officials | Not specified |
| Final Score | Steelers 24 – Vikings 21 |
The atmosphere inside Croke Park was electric as the NFL brought its first regular-season game to Ireland. Steelers fans dominated the stands, making the game feel like a home-field advantage for Pittsburgh.
Key Players & Starting Lineups
| Team | Key Hitters / Scorers | Key Pitchers / Defenders |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | Carson Wentz, Jordan Addison, Zavier Scott, Jalen Nailor | T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, DeShon Elliott |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Aaron Rodgers, Kenneth Gainwell, DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III | T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, DeShon Elliott |
Quarter‑by‑Quarter Scoring Breakdown
| Period | Vikings Points | Steelers Points | Cumulative Vikings | Cumulative Steelers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | 7 | 3 | 7 |
| 2nd | 3 | 7 | 6 | 14 |
| 3rd | 0 | 7 | 6 | 21 |
| 4th | 15 | 3 | 21 | 24 |
| Final | 21 | 24 | Total: 21 | Total: 24 |
The game’s turning point came in the fourth quarter, where the Vikings exploded for 15 points but couldn’t complete the comeback. The Steelers’ defense held firm on the final drive, stopping the Vikings on a 4th & 2 from the Pittsburgh 2-yard line.
The Fourth Period: 15 Points That Almost Rewrote History
The Vikings entered the fourth quarter trailing 21-6, a deficit that seemed insurmountable. But Carson Wentz and the offense refused to quit, orchestrating two touchdown drives in under eight minutes.
Fourth-Quarter Play-by-Play
| Play | Scoring Event | Score (MIN) | Score (PIT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wentz 16-yard TD pass to Zavier Scott | TD + 2-pt conversion | 14 | 24 |
| Wentz 2-yard TD pass to Jalen Nailor | TD + PAT | 21 | 24 |
The Vikings’ comeback fell agonizingly short. After a Chris Boswell 33-yard field goal extended Pittsburgh’s lead to 24-6 early in the fourth, Wentz found Zavier Scott for a 16-yard touchdown with 7:56 remaining, then converted a 2-point try to Jalen Nailor. With 2:13 left, Wentz connected with Nailor on a 2-yard strike to make it 24-21. But the Steelers’ defense, led by Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, slammed the door shut.
Standout Performances & Player Highlights
| Player | Team | Stats (Cmp/Att, Yds, TD, Int) |
|---|---|---|
| Carson Wentz | MIN | 30/46, 350 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Aaron Rodgers | PIT | 18/22, 200 yds, 1 TD, 0 INT |
| Kenneth Gainwell | PIT | 19 car, 99 yds, 2 TD |
| DK Metcalf | PIT | 5 rec, 126 yds, 1 TD |
| Jordan Addison | MIN | 4 rec, 114 yds |
| Zavier Scott | MIN | 2 rec, 19 yds, 1 TD |
Carson Wentz was the most impactful player despite the loss. He threw for 350 yards and nearly engineered a historic comeback. His connection with Jordan Addison (114 yards) and Zavier Scott kept the Vikings alive until the final snap.
Box Scores: Both Teams at a Glance
Minnesota Vikings – Full Hitting/Scoring Box Score
| Hitter | Pos | Comp | Att | Yds | TD | Int | Sck | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Wentz | QB | 30 | 46 | 350 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 84.5 |
| Rusher | Car | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Mason | 16 | 57 | 3.6 | 9 | 0 |
| Zavier Scott | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 | 0 |
Pittsburgh Steelers – Full Hitting/Scoring Box Score
| Hitter | Pos | Comp | Att | Yds | TD | Int | Sck | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Rodgers | QB | 18 | 22 | 200 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 119.7 |
| Rusher | Car | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenneth Gainwell | 19 | 99 | 5.2 | 15 | 2 |
| Jaylen Warren | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 |
The Vikings outgained the Steelers 372 to 313 in total net yards and held the ball for over 33 minutes, but two interceptions and a 4th‑quarter defensive stand proved the difference.
Pitching / Defensive Matchup Breakdown
Pittsburgh Steelers Defense
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T.J. Watt | 6 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
| Cam Heyward | 4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| DeShon Elliott | 8 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 |
Minnesota Vikings Defense
| Player | Tackles | Sacks | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivan Pace Jr. | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jonathan Greenard | 5 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Theo Jackson | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt dominated the line of scrimmage, combining for 2.5 sacks and 10 total tackles. Watt’s interception—tipped by Heyward—set up Kenneth Gainwell’s second touchdown, a 4-yard run that gave Pittsburgh a 21-6 lead.
Key Statistics Comparison Table
| Statistic | Minnesota Vikings | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Points | 21 | 24 |
| Total Net Yards | 372 | 313 |
| First Downs | 23 | 19 |
| Passing Yards | 350 | 200 |
| Rushing Yards | 74 | 134 |
| Turnovers | 2 (both INT) | 0 |
| Sacks Allowed | 6 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 33:34 | 26:26 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 6/13 (46%) | 5/12 (42%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 2/4 (50%) | 2/5 (40%) |
The Vikings’ 372 total yards were a season-high for a losing effort. Yet Pittsburgh’s zero turnovers and 134 rushing yards kept the chains moving when it mattered most.
Quotes & Reactions
Aaron Rodgers, Steelers QB: “There were a lot of us that wanted to win a little bit more for the family, knowing how much affection they have for this area.”
Mike Tomlin, Steelers Head Coach: “We made it a little bit more entertaining than maybe it should have been, but the Vikings had a lot to do with that.”
Carson Wentz, Vikings QB: “We fought back. We gave ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for on the road in this environment.”
Cam Heyward, Steelers DL: “I think this is the first game we really stopped the run to an extent, and then that led us to really teeing off on the pass rush.”
DK Metcalf, Steelers WR: “When Aaron (Rodgers) puts it out there, I just go get it. That’s my job.”
Match Analysis: What Went Right & Wrong
Minnesota Vikings
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| What Went Right | Passing attack with 350 yards and two fourth-quarter TDs |
| What Went Wrong | 2 INTs and 6 sacks allowed |
| Offensive Strength | Deep passing (114 yards to Addison) |
| Defensive Strength | Held Steelers to 42% on third down |
| Strategy | Air-raid comeback mode |
Pittsburgh Steelers
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| What Went Right | Zero turnovers, efficient run game (134 yards) |
| What Went Wrong | Almost blew a 24-6 lead |
| Offensive Strength | Gainwell’s power running and Metcalf’s explosive play |
| Defensive Strength | Watt/Heyward pressure and Elliott’s clutch INT |
| Strategy | Ball control and conservative play-calling late |
Controversial moment: With the Steelers clinging to a 24-21 lead and facing 4th & 2 from their own 2‑yard line, Mike Tomlin initially sent out the field‑goal unit before changing his mind and going for it. The decision—though questioned—kept the clock running and ultimately secured the win.
Series / Season Timeline
| Game | Date | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Sep. 28, 2025 | Steelers | 24-21 |
The Steelers improved to 3-1 heading into their bye week, while the Vikings fell to 2-2. This victory extended Pittsburgh’s all‑time series lead to 8-4-0 over Minnesota and gave Rodgers his first win on foreign soil.
Where to Watch
- United States: Fox Sports, NFL Network (replay)
- United Kingdom / Ireland: Sky Sports NFL
- International: NFL Game Pass, DAZN
Conclusion
Statistically, the Vikings vs Steelers clash in Dublin will be remembered as a game of two distinct halves—Pittsburgh’s dominant first three quarters and Minnesota’s frantic, almost‑successful fourth‑quarter rally. Carson Wentz’s 350‑yard, 2‑TD performance was overshadowed by Aaron Rodgers’ efficiency and Kenneth Gainwell’s two touchdowns. The Steelers’ defense, led by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, made the final stops that preserved a 24-21 victory. This game not only delivered on the NFL’s international promise but also set the stage for what could be a playoff preview between two AFC contenders.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of Vikings vs Steelers?
A: The final score was Steelers 24, Vikings 21.
Q: Where was the Vikings vs Steelers game played?
A: The game was played at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland—the NFL’s first regular‑season game in the country.
Q: Who scored the touchdowns for the Steelers?
A: Kenneth Gainwell scored two rushing TDs (1 yard and 4 yards), and DK Metcalf caught an 80‑yard TD pass from Aaron Rodgers.
Q: How many yards did Carson Wentz throw for?
A: Carson Wentz threw for 350 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Q: Who had the most receiving yards in the game?
A: DK Metcalf led all receivers with 126 yards and 1 touchdown on 5 catches.
Q: Did Aaron Rodgers throw any interceptions?
A: No, Aaron Rodgers finished 18‑of‑22 for 200 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs.
Q: What was the attendance at Croke Park?
A: The official attendance was 74,512, a pro‑Steelers crowd.
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