When the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers face each other at Croke Park on Sunday in Dublin, Ireland, it won't be just another NFL game. Instead, it will represent something much more meaningful, not only for the league's fans that live in Ireland, but for two of the NFL's most iconic franchises – each with a deep connection to the country's history.

Not only will it be the NFL's 50th international game played overseas during the regular season, it's the first regular-season contest ever played in Ireland. The Steelers have played in Dublin before, though, as they defeated the Bears 30-17 in a preseason game at Croke Park in 1997 as part of the NFL's "American Bowl" series. Minnesota will continue to make NFL history after its game in Dublin by facing the Cleveland Browns in London a week later, becoming the first team to play back-to-back international contests in different countries (last year, the Jaguars were the first team to play consecutive games in London).

Croke Park – where Sunday's game will commence – is extremely significant in Dublin and Ireland's history. Known as Ireland's "Cathedral of Sport," Croke Park (Páirc an Chrócaigh in Irish) is not just the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association (since 1891), the stadium annually hosts All-Ireland finals in Gaelic football and hurling. It also has held the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2003 Special Olympics, and is the largest stadium in Ireland and one of the five biggest stadiums in Europe with a capacity of 82,300 (Sunday's attendance is expected around 76,000).

Examining things with a closer lens, the Steelers have strong roots in Ireland. The organization was founded in 1933 by Art Rooney, Sr., whose ancestors were Irish immigrants who emigrated in the 1840s from Newry in County Down. Art Rooney, Sr.'s, son, the late Dan Rooney (Dan was the father of current Steelers Owner/president Art Rooney II), was instrumental in helping bring Pittsburgh to Ireland for the team's preseason game in 1997 and also was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012. In 2023, the Steelers were awarded rights to expand their brand in the territory as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program.

While Minnesota's current ownership isn't familial to Ireland, the organization's nickname has a unique connection to the country. Although the Vikings team name honors the ones of medieval Scandinavia, Vikings actually founded the city of Dublin (originally named Dyflin, which is derived from the Irish "Dubh Linn" or "black pool") as a wintering port (or longphort) in 841 AD. After they were briefly expelled from Dublin in 902 AD, the Vikings returned in 917 AD and grew the city into one of the most important Norse settlements outside Scandinavia.

Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game, a homecoming of sorts that is centuries in the making:

Steelers 23, Vikings 20 – Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

This game in Ireland will be the first of two overseas for the Vikings in successive weeks. That will be challenging. The Vikings were outstanding last week against the Bengals, with the defense coming up big. I think Aaron Rodgers will play well against that defense, while Carson Wentz will struggle some. Steelers win it.

Steelers 20, Vikings 17 – John Breech, CBS Sports

With the NFC North, I've been having a classic zig-zag problem: When I think they're going to zig, they zag. When I think they're going to zag, they eat pizza. When I pick an NFC North team to lose to the Bengals, they put up 48 points. When I think an NFC North team is going to cake walk to a win over the Browns, they end up blowing a 10-point lead in the final four minutes. And yes, I'm looking at you, Packers.

The good news for me is that I don't think my NFC North jinx applies here because this game is being played out of the country. For the first time in NFL history, we're getting a game in Dublin, and if I know anything about Dublin, every fan at the game will have downed at least seven pints of Guinness by the time this thing kicks off. I once visited Ireland and the only thing I did for three straight days was drink Guinness and eat Irish Stew. And to be honest, I'm 40% sure there was Guinness in the stew. They put Guinness in everything. They also can turn anything into a stew. I love Ireland.

As for this game, it's almost fitting that the Vikings and Steelers are facing each other this week. There have only been two games all season where a team has forced five turnovers: The Vikings did it in Week 3 against the Bengals and the Steelers did it in Week 3 against the Patriots.

The Vikings sent Carson Wentz out as their starting QB in Week 3, but we didn't really learn anything about him because he got to start the second half with a 31-point lead. If there's one time when it's easy to play QB in the NFL, it's when you have a 31-point lead in the second half.

Wentz got sacked three times in the first half against the Bengals, and now, he'll be going up against a Steelers defense that racked up five sacks against the Patriots. Wentz probably would have been sacked more in Week 3, but the Vikings only threw the ball six times in the second half because they had such a huge lead. Like I said, it's much easier to play QB in the NFL when you have a 31-point lead. I'm guessing Minnesota won't have a 31-point lead against the Steelers at any point, so this feels like a game where Pittsburgh's defense will be able to tee off against Wentz.

Although I expect Wentz to struggle, I also expect Aaron Rodgers to struggle against the Vikings defense. My gut says pick the Steelers, but that could also just be the Irish Stew talking.

Steelers 24, Vikings 21 – Bill Bender, Sporting News

Both teams forced five turnovers in Week 3 – so it's about protecting the football here. Aaron Rodgers didn't take a sack in Week 3, and Minnesota will try to change that with Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores. The Vikings are 4-0 in the NFL International Series, so Pittsburgh better be careful.

Steelers 20, Vikings 17 – Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

The Vikings loved what Carson Wentz did in leading the offense but it was big plays on defense and a dominant running game that destroyed the Bengals. This AFC North foe is a little tougher, far on the road in Dublin, Ireland. The Steelers will be jacked to make sure they win this one for the Rooney family with Aaron Rodgers ready to protect the ball and make some needed small and big plays.

5 of 5 experts pick the Vikings, NFL.com

Analysis from NFL.com's Dan Parr:

As the Falcons showed back in Week 2, a good way to beat the Vikings is by running the ball down their throats. Surely, Pittsburgh Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith – with a reputation for being one of the league's best run-game designers – can whip up a plan to seize on Atlanta's blueprint, right? Well, I'm not so sure. The Steelers rank second-to-last in rushing yards per game (63) and are averaging a measly 2.8 yards per carry. Against a neutral box (seven defenders), they are averaging just 2.3 ypc, per Next Gen Stats. If the Steelers don't break from that trend on their trip to the Emerald Isle, it's hard to imagine the luck of the Irish smiling upon them. A similarly run-game-challenged Bengals team was no match for Brian Flores' defense last week. On the other hand, if Mike Tomlin's defense continues to take the ball away at a high rate, the turnovers can mask some of the deficiencies, especially with the Vikings once again starting backup QB Carson Wentz, who hasn't been asked to make plays in a tight, meaningful game in a few years.

2 of 7 experts pick the Vikings, Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report analysis by Kris Knox:

It looks like it'll be Carson Wentz for the Vikings again this week, which is a boon for Minnesota. Expect a close, physical game in which experience will matter – even if neither team has a ton of experience playing abroad.

I also expect to see Minnesota make life miserable for Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh has not run the ball well this season, and a lack of balance will make the difference.

Bleacher Report analysis by Ian Hanford:

The Steelers have only played one international game, and that came in 2013 when they lost to the Vikings. Things should be a little different this time around, but this should be a tight one either way.

I have a hard time trusting either QB in a game where both defenses like to generate pressure, but I trust Carson Wentz a little less. Pittsburgh's defense has been toothless for the most part, but it did force five turnovers last week and sacked Drake Maye five times.

Expect this one to be ugly, but the Steelers front seven is the difference.

5 of 7 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB

5 of 10 experts (1 of 11 total had not submitted) pick the Vikings, ESPN

4 of 7 experts pick the Vikings, The Athletic

4 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, USA Today

Series Notes

The Vikings and Steelers have met 19 times in their history, with Minnesota possessing a slight 10-9 edge in the series. The Steelers claimed the only postseason meeting between the two teams during Super Bowl IX with a 16-6 victory.

Although the two sides haven't faced each other in nearly four years, their most recent encounter went down to the wire; the Vikings built a 29-0 lead midway through the third quarter before Pittsburgh rattled off 20 unanswered points to trim the deficit to nine in the early stages of the fourth quarter. The Steelers got to within eight points late, but Minnesota held on for the 36-28 victory at home.

Prior to that Vikings win in 2021, though, the Steelers entered on a hot streak against Minnesota, winning four of the previous five matchups dating back to the 2001 season. The lone Vikings victory? The one that started it all internationally (during regular-season play) for the Purple and Gold, a 34-27 victory in 2013.

View the 2025 Vikings Schedule.

Check out the 2025 International games.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.