Experience the Historic NFL Showdown: Steelers Take on Vikings in Ireland

History was made on Sunday as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings faced off at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, for the first-ever NFL regular season game played on Irish soil. Both teams entered the highly anticipated international clash with matching 2-1 records, adding extra weight to an already momentous occasion for the league’s global ambitions. Croke Park, a legendary venue with a seating capacity of 82,300, was packed to the rafters as local and traveling fans donned black-and-gold and purple. The matchup rekindled memories of the teams’ previous overseas encounter in 2013, when the Vikings edged the Steelers 34-27 at London’s Wembley Stadium. This time, the stakes were even higher, with regular season records and international bragging rights on the line. Minnesota came into the game riding high after a dominant win over the Bengals, thanks to a defense that even managed to outscore Cincinnati’s offense. Quarterback Carson Wentz started his second straight game for the Vikings, filling in for the injured J.J. McCarthy. Wentz, who recently posted an efficient 14-for-20, 173-yard, two-touchdown performance, benefited from the return of talented wideout Jordan Addison, back from suspension. For the Steelers, the focus was on their signature opportunistic defense. Since 2023, Pittsburgh leads the NFL in forced turnovers with 68, a testament to head coach Mike Tomlin‘s philosophy and the influence of former assistant and current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Pass rush ace T.J. Watt, who recently broke his six-game sack drought, anchors a unit ranked among the league’s best in red-zone efficiency. New additions like Jalen Ramsey and Jabrill Peppers have further strengthened the Steelers’ secondary. Both squads dealt with significant absences. The Vikings were without J.J. McCarthy, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, and rookie guard Donovan Jackson, while the Steelers missed running back Jaylen Warren and top cornerback Joey Porter Jr., forcing depth players like Kenneth Gainwell and Jalen Ramsey to step up in crucial roles. The inactives list also included Desmond Ridder and Ben Yurosek for Minnesota, and Alex Highsmith, Andrus Peat, and Esezi Otomewo for Pittsburgh (Vikings vs. Steelers Inactives for Week 4 of 2025). From a statistical standpoint, the Vikings held a narrow 10-9 all-time series lead before kickoff, though the Steelers’ most memorable victory came in Super Bowl IX—a 16-6 triumph that launched their championship legacy. The game in Dublin not only celebrated the NFL’s international growth but also provided a crucial early-season test for two playoff hopefuls. According to ESPN Analytics, the Vikings entered as slight favorites (-2.5), with the over/under set at 40.5 points (Vikings vs. Steelers (Sep 28, 2025) Live Score). Ultimately, the contest was expected to hinge on whether Pittsburgh’s defense could force Minnesota into a one-dimensional attack and capitalize on turnovers. With both teams boasting dynamic playmakers and strategic masterminds on the sidelines, fans were treated to an NFL spectacle that underscored the league’s continuing push to expand its global footprint. For live coverage, stats, and highlights, fans could follow the action on NFL.com and the NFL Network.