It will be cooler temperatures for the NFL's Thursday nighter this week as the NFC North's Minnesota Vikings play host the AFC North's Pittsburgh Steelers.
We have interconference action for the Thursday night NFL game in Week 14 as the Pittsburgh Steelers make a rare visit to the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota is a 3-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with a total of 45.0.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
What do the Steelers and Vikings have in common? I’d say two things. First, neither is winning its respective North Division but both could earn wild-card playoff spots. Obviously, Thursday’s loser would be in worse shape.
Second, both teams could have new head coaches in 2022. It’s almost a lock that the Vikings will replace Mike Zimmer if they miss the post-season for a second straight year. Zimmer was nearly fired after a 7-9 record in 2020 and basically given a playoff mandate. The Steelers are the most stable organization maybe in all of the major sports leagues with Mike Tomlin as only the franchise’s third head coach since 1969. More likely than not, Tomlin will be back next season barring the team completely going down the drain the rest of the way or Tomlin himself wanting to step away.
The all-time series between the teams is tied 9-9, which includes Pittsburgh’s 16-6 victory in Super Bowl IX in New Orleans. They last played in 2017 and the Steelers were last in the Twin Cities in 2013, so this will be their first look at the fairly new US Bank Stadium.
The Vikings are 5-4 ATS in the past nine meetings.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh was a home underdog vs. Baltimore on Sunday, the first time the Ravens were ever favoured in Pittsburgh in a game that Ben Roethlisberger started at QB. Apparently, the Ravens shouldn’t have been favourites as they lost 20-19. The Steelers were rather fortunate that Baltimore tried for a two-point conversion and win in the final seconds, but tight end Mark Andrews bobbled a pass (wasn’t a very good one) and it was incomplete. Roethlisberger threw for 236 yards and two scores and didn’t commit a turnover. Diontae Johnson finished with eight catches for 105 yards and two scores. Canadian wideout Chase Claypool had two catches for 52 yards.
Star linebacker TJ Watt was put on the COVID list early last week but was activated from that Saturday and played – with 3.5 sacks. Starting cornerback Joe Haden missed a third straight game with a foot injury. Pittsburgh is 0-5 ATS in its past five following an ATS win.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings nearly lost to the winless Detroit Lions in Week 5 but prevailed on a 54-yard field goal as time expired. On Sunday, the Vikings did lose to the now nearly winless Lions, 29-27, an absolutely crushing and probably fatal blow to Minnesota’s wild-card chances. Detroit scored the winning TD as time expired. Kirk Cousins threw for 340 yards and two scores with red-hot Justin Jefferson catching 11 balls for 182 yards and a TD. With top running back Dalvin Cook out injured (he’s not likely for this week, either), Alexander Mattison rushed for 90 yards and a TD. Two of the Vikings’ top linebackers, Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, missed it. Pro Bowl receiver Adam Thielen left with a sprained ankle. The Vikings are 0-6 ATS in their past six as home favourites.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Steelers vs. Vikings?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 30 Nov 9:33pm | PIT | -3.5 -110 | O +45.5 -110 |
Closing 10 Dec 12:58am | PIT | -3.5 -105 | O +45 -111 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Steelers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
1200 |
Passing |
3740 |
Receiving |
107 |
Sacks |
22.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
1159 |
Passing |
4221 |
Receiving |
108 |
Sacks |
8 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
29 |
Passing |
215 |
Receiving |
5 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Vikings Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
1200 |
Passing |
3740 |
Receiving |
107 |
Sacks |
22.5 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
1159 |
Passing |
4221 |
Receiving |
108 |
Sacks |
8 |
Interceptions |
3 |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
29 |
Passing |
215 |
Receiving |
5 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns | |
Rushing | |
Passing | Did not qualify |
Receiving | |
Sacks | |
Interceptions |
Weather

temp | 33 |
condition | dome |
Injuries
James Pierre (DB)
Trai Turner (T)
Ben Roethlisberger (QB)
Robert Spillane (LB)
Arthur Maulet (S)
Najee Harris (RB)
James Washington (WR)
Diontae Johnson (WR)
Arthur Maulet (S)
Joe Haden (CB)
Harrison Hand (CB)
Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Kris Boyd (CB)
Nick Vigil (LB)
Wyatt Davis (G)
Kene Nwangwu (RB)
Luke Stocker (TE)
Tashawn Bower (DE)
Ezra Cleveland (G)
Eric Kendricks (LB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
James Pierre (DB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 14 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Pierre will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
Trai Turner (T) | Prob Sun | Knee - 13 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Turner is tending to a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for the AFC wild-card game versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
Ben Roethlisberger (QB) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 12 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Roethlisberger is hampered by shoulder and pectoral injuries, but it is anticipated that he will take the field for the AFC wild-card tilt versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
Robert Spillane (LB) | Ques Sun | Knee - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Spillane is managing a knee injury, leaving his status for the AFC wild-card game versus the Chiefs clouded. |
|||||
Arthur Maulet (S) | Prob Sun | Concussion - 11 / 01 / 22 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Maulet is going through the concussion protocol, but it is likely that he will be cleared in time for the AFC wild-card game versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
Najee Harris (RB) | Prob Sun | Elbow - 09 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Harris has an elbow injury, but it is expected that he will be in the AFC wild-card lineup versus the Chiefs. |
|||||
James Washington (WR) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 08 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Washington will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list. |
|||||
Diontae Johnson (WR) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Johnson has been moved to the IR/COVID-19 list, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
Arthur Maulet (S) | Prob Sun | Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Maulet is managing an illness, but it is projected that he will line up against the Ravens on Sunday. |
|||||
Joe Haden (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
Haden has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to action. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Harrison Hand (CB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Hand has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup. |
|||||
Mackensie Alexander (CB) | Out Sun | Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Alexander is managing an ankle ailment, and he will not take on the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
Kris Boyd (CB) | Out Sun | Ribs - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Boyd has a rib injury, leaving his status for Sunday's showdown against the Bears as inactive. |
|||||
Nick Vigil (LB) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Vigil is dealing with an unspecified issue, and it is unclear if he will play against the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
Wyatt Davis (G) | Out Sun | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Davis is ailing from an illness, and he will not line up against the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
Kene Nwangwu (RB) | Prob Sun | Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Nwangwu has a hamstring injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Bears on Sunday. |
|||||
Luke Stocker (TE) | Ques Sun | Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Stocker is nursing an elbow issue, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's contest versus the Bears. |
|||||
Tashawn Bower (DE) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Bower has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return. |
|||||
Ezra Cleveland (G) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Cleveland has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return. |
|||||
Eric Kendricks (LB) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 | 0-2 | 2-0 | + - |
Kendricks has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to action. |
-
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
23 -
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
20
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 30 Nov 9:33pm PIT -3.5 -110 O +45.5 -110 Closing 10 Dec 12:58am PIT -3.5 -105 O +45 -111 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Steelers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 1200
Passing 3740
Receiving 107
Sacks 22.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 1159
Passing 4221
Receiving 108
Sacks 8
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 29
Passing 215
Receiving 5
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Vikings Team Leaders
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 1200
Passing 3740
Receiving 107
Sacks 22.5
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 1159
Passing 4221
Receiving 108
Sacks 8
Interceptions 3
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 29
Passing 215
Receiving 5
Sacks 1
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns Rushing Passing Did not qualify Receiving Sacks Interceptions -
Weather
temp 33 condition dome -
Injuries
James Pierre (DB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 14 / 01 / 22Trai Turner (T)
Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 01 / 22Ben Roethlisberger (QB)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 12 / 01 / 22Robert Spillane (LB)
Ques Sun Knee - 11 / 01 / 22Arthur Maulet (S)
Prob Sun Concussion - 11 / 01 / 22Najee Harris (RB)
Prob Sun Elbow - 09 / 01 / 22James Washington (WR)
Out indefinitely Illness - 08 / 01 / 22Diontae Johnson (WR)
Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22Arthur Maulet (S)
Prob Sun Illness - 06 / 01 / 22Joe Haden (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Harrison Hand (CB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Out Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22Kris Boyd (CB)
Out Sun Ribs - 05 / 01 / 22Nick Vigil (LB)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22Wyatt Davis (G)
Out Sun Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Kene Nwangwu (RB)
Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22Luke Stocker (TE)
Ques Sun Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22Tashawn Bower (DE)
Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22Ezra Cleveland (G)
Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22Eric Kendricks (LB)
Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes James Pierre (DB) Out indefinitely Illness - 14 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Pierre will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
Trai Turner (T) Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Turner is tending to a knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will suit up for the AFC wild-card game versus the Chiefs.
Ben Roethlisberger (QB) Prob Sun Shoulder - 12 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Roethlisberger is hampered by shoulder and pectoral injuries, but it is anticipated that he will take the field for the AFC wild-card tilt versus the Chiefs.
Robert Spillane (LB) Ques Sun Knee - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Spillane is managing a knee injury, leaving his status for the AFC wild-card game versus the Chiefs clouded.
Arthur Maulet (S) Prob Sun Concussion - 11 / 01 / 22 1-0 0-1 + - Maulet is going through the concussion protocol, but it is likely that he will be cleared in time for the AFC wild-card game versus the Chiefs.
Najee Harris (RB) Prob Sun Elbow - 09 / 01 / 22 2-0 0-2 + - Harris has an elbow injury, but it is expected that he will be in the AFC wild-card lineup versus the Chiefs.
James Washington (WR) Out indefinitely Illness - 08 / 01 / 22 2-0 0-2 + - Washington will miss an undetermined length of time after winding up on the COVID-19 list.
Diontae Johnson (WR) Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 2-0 0-2 + - Johnson has been moved to the IR/COVID-19 list, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Arthur Maulet (S) Prob Sun Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 2-0 0-2 + - Maulet is managing an illness, but it is projected that he will line up against the Ravens on Sunday.
Joe Haden (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 2-0 0-2 + - Haden has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to action.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Harrison Hand (CB) Out indefinitely Illness - 06 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Hand has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup.
Mackensie Alexander (CB) Out Sun Ankle - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Alexander is managing an ankle ailment, and he will not take on the Bears on Sunday.
Kris Boyd (CB) Out Sun Ribs - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Boyd has a rib injury, leaving his status for Sunday's showdown against the Bears as inactive.
Nick Vigil (LB) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Vigil is dealing with an unspecified issue, and it is unclear if he will play against the Bears on Sunday.
Wyatt Davis (G) Out Sun Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Davis is ailing from an illness, and he will not line up against the Bears on Sunday.
Kene Nwangwu (RB) Prob Sun Hamstring - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Nwangwu has a hamstring injury, but it is anticipated that he will face the Bears on Sunday.
Luke Stocker (TE) Ques Sun Elbow - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Stocker is nursing an elbow issue, and it is unknown if he will partake in Sunday's contest versus the Bears.
Tashawn Bower (DE) Out indefinitely Illness - 05 / 01 / 22 0-1 1-0 + - Bower has been shifted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown when he will return.
Ezra Cleveland (G) Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 0-2 2-0 + - Cleveland has been posted to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it has yet to be established when he can return.
Eric Kendricks (LB) Out indefinitely Illness - 03 / 01 / 22 0-2 2-0 + - Kendricks has been shuttled to the IR/COVID-19 list, and it is unclear when he will return to action.