Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers: Preview, prediction

This week’s Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers game is a much-anticipated matchup between two of the best teams in the NFL. In week 1, the Vikings were more dominant in their throttling of the high-powered New Orleans Saints offense. The Steelers were good enough to handle an improved Clevland Browns team. So let’s look ahead to this matchup and the Grueling Truth’s keys to this game…

Keys to the Game

1) Can Le’veon Bell get back on track?

Bell had only 47 all-purpose yards last week against the Browns on just 13 touches. The Vikings have a much better front seven than the Browns did. A huge part of this game will be what Bell can do against one of the top defenses in the league.

2) Can the Vikings slow down Antonio Brown?

Antonio Brown is a beast and he showed that yet again last week in Cleveland, but the Vikings may be better equipped than most teams to defend Brown. Xavier Rhodes is why the Vikings could deal with Brown better than most. Rhodes is a big physical corner with excellent technique. While Brown has proven that he can get open against anybody, Rhodes just needs to slow Brown down for the Vikings to have a chance to win this game.

Antonio Brown Highlights vs Browns // 11 Catches for 182 Yards // 9.10.17

3) Can Sam Bradford stretch the Field?

The Vikings offense looks much more explosive this year and even with the addition of former Browns cornerback Joe Haden, the weakness on the Steelers defense lies in the secondary. The Vikings’ offensive explosiveness is about the improvement (and health) of the offensive line; if that OL can keep Bradford clean in the pocket, the Steelers will be in trouble.

4) Dalvin Cook

Cook is a rookie, but in week one didn’t look like one. Then again, he was playing against the Saints defense, and the Steelers have a solid front seven that can take the run game away.

Prediction

The Vikings are going to shock a lot of people in this game. Vikings 23, Steelers 20.

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