Vikings vs. Steelers Point Spread: NFL Week 4 Odds, Prediction
It is Week 4 in the NFL, and Sunday’s 14-hour extravaganza starts with a battle between the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. These teams take centre stage in Dublin, Ireland for the NFL’s second of seven international games and kicks off at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Both teams sport identical 2-1 records thus far, and while they have each had their own kinks to work out since the start of the season, one of them will move on to a solid 3-1 record. They each have tough schedules this season and know this is a key opportunity.
Minnesota is a 2.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with the total pegged at 41.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The betting odds suggest this will be a close game, with the Minnesota Vikings as the favourites of less than a field goal.
Early into this NFL season, the Vikings are 2-1 ATS, while the Steelers are 1-2 ATS. The total has gone over in two of three games for both Minnesota and Pittsburgh.
Leading the way in touchdown scorer odds for the Steelers is RB Jaylen Warren (+120) and WR DK Metcalf (+155). For the Vikings, Jordan Mason (-120) and Justin Jefferson (+130) hold the shortest odds.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota is coming off an impressive 48-10 victory against an injured and discouraged Cincinnati Bengals team, but the Vikings themselves have some key injuries. QB JJ McCarthy suffered a Week 2 high-ankle sprain that will have him out at least four weeks on IR. Veteran QB Carson Wentz has stepped in his place, and realistically could put some pressure on McCarthy when he returns if Wentz continues to play as he did in that win over Cincinnati.
Among other players injured is veteran running back Aaron Jones, who is also out for at least four weeks on IR. However, Jordan Mason has emerged as a strong RB for the team with 214 rushing yards and two touchdowns in three games.
Momentum is in Minnesota’s favour, and now that they have a matching record with a dominant Green Bay Packers team and the Detroit Lions, every win matters within the NFC North.
Pittsburgh Steelers
After giving up 63 points in their first two games, Pittsburgh’s defence returned to form in a 21-14 win over New England. That victory included five sacks and an interception. This is Steelers football that has given them sustained success, and they will now have to do it against an offence that just exploded for 48 points.
Not only that, but Pittsburgh’s own offence will have to perform well against a Vikings defence that has given up an average of 14 points per game. 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers has looked good at times, but he has yet to find his go-to guy, and the running game has been quite poor.
In my eyes, the jury is still out on what type of team the Pittsburgh Steelers will be this year. They are filled with experienced and talented veterans, but consistent production is yet to be seen.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Vikings vs. Steelers?
If the Vikings can feed the offence through their elite talent like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Mason, they should be able to have their way and control the game.
I think Minnesota has more game-breakers on both ends of the ball, and I believe they have even more to give.
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