The Pittsburgh Steelers are aiming to enhance their defensive and special teams performance as they prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings in an unprecedented regular-season NFL game in Ireland. Despite their struggles in offensive production during Week 3 against the New England Patriots, where they only converted two of five forced turnovers into points, the Steelers are banking on their defense and special teams units for a revival against the Vikings.
Maurice Jones-Drew, a former NFL running back and current analyst, expressed optimism about the Steelers’ defensive prospects, predicting two defensive touchdowns and a special teams score for the game. His forecast draws parallels with the Vikings’ recent performance where they forced turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Steelers’ defensive coach, Teryl Austin, is expected to leverage opportunities against a Vikings team led by their backup quarterback, Carson Wentz. The Steelers hope to exploit this position, as well as draw inspiration from their special teams’ prior success. In Week 1, Kenneth Gainwell’s forced fumble during a kick return set the stage for a touchdown, showcasing the potential impact of their special teams.
While much attention has been on the Vikings’ defensive prowess, led by former Steelers assistant Brian Flores, it’s clear that any defensive and special teams contributions from Pittsburgh could play a crucial role in determining the game’s outcome. Defensive and special teams touchdowns could provide the decisive momentum for the Steelers as they seek to improve their record to 3-1 before their bye week.
Though Jones-Drew’s forecast is ambitious, even a single defensive or special teams touchdown could significantly improve Pittsburgh’s chances against a strong Vikings team, potentially tilting the momentum in their favor as they look to overcome their offensive challenges.