The Pittsburgh Steelers breathed life into their playoff aspirations with a huge win in Week 13. Can they sustain their form this week against the Minnesota Vikings, who are looking to prevent a three-game skid? Or will the Vikings finally get back in the win column? Check out our preview of this Steelers-Vikings Week 14 matchup below.
The Steelers knew what time it was last Sunday. It was winning time. Ben Roethlisberger and company made sure that they stopped the bleeding from a three-game winless streak as the Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens at home in Week 13, 20-19. Pittsburgh’s defense stepped up big time and made timely stops against the Ravens, with Lamar Jackson getting sacked a total of seven times. Jackson shouldn’t be sacked that many times, given his speed and elite mobility, but the Steelers somehow managed to do all that. Look for the Steelers to continue having success with their pass rush in Week 14 against the Vikings, who have the less mobile Kirk Cousins under center. Pittsburgh is also about to face a team that had just lost to the previously winless Detroit Lions, which is perhaps all you need to know to feel confident about betting on Pittsburgh.
The Steelers are 2-1 against the spread in their last three games overall.
Just when you thought that the Vikings have turned the corner with back-to-back wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and the Green Bay Packers, they followed that up with losses to the San Francisco 49ers and then to the Lions last Sunday. The 29-27 loss to Detroit was unacceptable and it should wake up Minnesota. The Vikings were missing running back Dalvin Cook against the Lions, but Alex Mattison filled in his spot just fine as he rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries while also catching three passes for 34 yards. Cook is expected to be out again in Week 14, so Mattison should see plenty of load out of the backfield again opposite the Steelers, who don’t have an elite defense against the run. Also worth noting is the potential absence of wide receiver Adam Thielen, who suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 13.
