By Ray Porter Jr. for Urban Media Today
DUBLIN, Ireland–For the first time since 2013, the Pittsburgh Steelers played a regular season International Game and for the second time since 1997, the Steelers played an international game in Dublin, Ireland.
But unlike that Preseason 1997 game (Dubbed the American Bowl-in which the Steelers beat the Chicago Bears 31-17), Sunday’s game was for real (in the first-ever Dublin Game) as the Steelers faced the Minnesota Vikings and as the ‘Home’ team, they defeated the Vikings 24-21 in front of 74,512 fans at Croke Park. A huge win to honor the Late Dan Rooney, former Steelers Chairman, who served as Ambassador of Ireland from 2009-12.
“Before I even get to the game, I just can’t express enough the reception that we got here.” Said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “The hospitality, the accommodations, the service — it was all top-notch, man. It’s an honor to represent American football here in Dublin. It was just a great trip. Obviously, a component of it being a great trip is doing the job, and thankfully we were able to do that. We made it a little more entertaining than maybe it should have been, but the Vikings had a lot to do with that. That group’s got a lot of fight. They’re well coached.”
For the second consecutive game, the Steelers lead from start to finish in what was their most-balanced effort in all-three phases (Offense, Defense, Special Teams) of the game thus far in the 2025 season.
“It’s just a fun atmosphere, good to get a win. Good to go into the bye in the position that we’re in.” Said Tomlin. “We’re leaking in some areas, so it’s probably at an appropriate time, but to be honest with you, I’ve never had a bye that didn’t seem like it didn’t come at the appropriate time.”
On offense, QB Aaron Rodgers led the Steelers on 4 successful scoring drives, 3 of them resulting in touchdowns. Rodgers (18/22, 200 yards) would find WR DK Metcalf (5 Rec, 126 yards) for an 80-yard TD. The other 2 scores came on the feet of RB Kenneth Gainwell, who started in place of the injured Jaylen Warren and produced a stellar performance, rushing for 99 yards on 19 carries. As a team, the Steelers rushed for 131 yards.
On Rodgers, Tomlin replied “I love his competitive spirit. I love to support it. I like a guy that plays and plays to win. So, he’s an asset to us in that way certainly.”
On Gainwell: “Jaylen is a tough guy. He wanted to do it. I just thought it was prudent not to. I’ve also got a great deal of confidence in Kenny Gainwell, man, and he showed you why, topnotch competitor and professional. He’s been a great asset to us, man, in the running game, out of the backfield. He’s just a football player first, and I appreciate his efforts today.”
On Metcalf: “We didn’t go get DK not to get him the ball. So, today was a reflection of our intentions, but that’s been our intentions every week. “
The Steelers defense was more physical for the second straight week as they kept the pressure on Vikings QB Carson Wentz, sacking him 6 times and intercepting him once (by LB TJ Watt, who also got a sack)
“I thought that we put together a good plan, and I thought they did a nice job of executing it.” Said Tomlin. “The Vikings got some challenges, schematics. They work to minimize your four-man rush with max protections. I think the adjustments we made relative to the max protections was a major component of why we were able to put pressure on them.”
On special teams, K Chris Boswell added a 33-yard FG but also had one blocked.
The Steelers kept the Vikings out of the end-zone for 3 quarters, before giving up 14 points (and a 2-point conversion) in a matter of minutes. Wentz (30/46, 350 yards) threw TD passes to WR Jailen Nailor and WR Xavier Scott, but the Steelers defense was able to force a turnover on downs to secure the victory.
WR Justin Jefferson caught 10 passes for 126 yards and fellow WR (And former Pitt Panther) Jordan Addison caught 4 passes for 114 yards (including an 81-yard catch to set up the second score) for the Vikings (2-2)
The 3-1 Steelers will now return to the United States and Pittsburgh on and will spend Week 5 on a Bye before hosting the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium.
“Again, I’m just thankful to get the victory. I appreciate the fight of the guys. Certainly, you want to finish that game off cleaner, man, so we got some get better ahead of us.” Said Tomlin. “But it’s good to do that with a “W.” We talked a lot about the late great ambassador Rooney last night. I know he’s smiling at us today. It’s just an honor to fulfill his vision, to bring NFL football to Dublin. I’ve been thinking about him a lot on a personal level. So, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that.”
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