The Pittsburgh Steelers held off a late comeback from the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, securing a dramatic win in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game played in Dublin, Ireland.
For much of the game, it looked like the Steelers were in complete control. They built up a 24-6 lead by the early stages of the fourth quarter, and the Vikings’ offense had struggled to find any rhythm. But the closing minutes turned the game into a nail-biter.
Minnesota finally broke through midway through the last quarter with a 70-yard drive that ended in a toe-tap touchdown catch from rookie Zavier Scott, his first ever in the NFL. That gave the Vikings some momentum, and their defense responded with a crucial stop near their own goal line. Suddenly, the energy shifted.
On their next possession, a busted Steelers coverage led to an 81-yard reception by Jordan Addison, setting up another score when Jalen Nailor found the end zone. Just like that, the Vikings were within three points after being down by 18. For Steelers fans, the once-comfortable lead had turned dangerously thin.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell admitted after the game that his team left themselves with too much to overcome but praised their late fight. “I thought the guys battled to the very end,” he said. “You’re just never gonna see this team quit. They’re going to play till the very end against a good team. We just didn’t do enough things to overcome either our own execution or the injuries.”
Turnovers, penalties, and key injuries proved to be Minnesota’s undoing. They lost the turnover battle 2-0 and had a field goal blocked that could have swung the momentum earlier. Sports Illustrated called those mistakes “the biggest killers” for the Vikings, noting that what seemed like a lopsided game suddenly became a tense finish for Pittsburgh.
Injuries were a particular concern, especially for the Vikings’ offensive line. Right tackle Brian O’Neill is believed to have suffered a significant MCL injury, adding to a growing list of problems up front. Forbes described it bluntly: “Offensive Line Injuries Are Ruining Vikings Plans For Success Again.”
The Vikings Territory site echoed the same concerns, pointing to the offensive line struggles as one of the team’s biggest issues. The article also highlighted the bright side: Zavier Scott’s first NFL touchdown. Just a few months ago, Scott was an unknown name fighting for a roster spot. His debut score in Dublin was a milestone that offered some encouragement despite the loss.
Fan reactions after the game reflected both frustration and cautious optimism. One fan who traveled to Dublin to watch the matchup summed it up in blunt terms: “The score was not indicative of the game. Six points through three quarters. Six. You can’t run that way. You also can’t win with turnovers and reckless personal foul penalties. Very uncharacteristic.”
The Steelers may have let the Vikings back into the contest late, but they walked away with the victory and the honor of winning the NFL’s first regular-season game in Ireland. For the Vikings, the trip ended with disappointment, but also signs that their younger players, like Scott, may have the potential to step up in the weeks ahead. O’Connell made it clear what the focus must be moving forward: improvement, growth, and finding a way to overcome adversity.
