Fast Facts: Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)

Fast Facts is a weekly series featuring a quick glance at the upcoming Steelers game, including odds, records, things to watch for, and how to watch/listen to the game.

Odds

The opening line has the Steelers as a 5.5-point favorite. The over/under is 45.5 points.

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Team Records

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin

  • Overall regular-season record: 104-57 (.646)/11th season
  • Regular-season record with Pittsburgh: 104-57 (.646)/11th season
  • Playoff Record/Years: 8-6 (.571)/seven years

Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer

  • Overall regular-season record: 27-22 (.551)/4th season
  • Regular-season record with Minnesota: 27-22 (.551)/4th season
  • Playoff Record/Years: 0-1/one year

Steelers-Vikings History

  • Series History: Series began in 1962
  • Overall Regular Season: Vikings lead, 9-7
  • At Pittsburgh: Steelers lead, 5-4
  • At Minnesota: Vikings lead, 5-2
    (includes 2013 meeting at Wembley Stadium)
  • Neutral Sites: n/a
  • Streak: Vikings won previous meeting
  • Last Regular-Season Meeting: Sept. 29, 2013, at Minnesota
    Minnesota 34, Pittsburgh 27
  • Postseason Series: Steelers lead, 1-0
  • Last Postseason Meeting: Jan. 12, 1975, in New Orleans, La.
    Super Bowl IX: Pittsburgh 16, Minnesota 6
  • (preseason and postseason record not included in overall series record)

This week’s game will mark the 17th regular-season meeting between Pittsburgh and Minnesota, with the Vikings holding a two-game advantage in the series (9-7)… Sunday’s game will be the 10th time the two teams will meet in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers have won each of the previous two home games in the series…the two teams have met four times in the month of September during the regular-season, with the Vikings holding a 3-1 advantage in the month of September vs. the Steelers.

Gameday Information

  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017
  • Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
  • Site: Heinz Field (68,400) • Pittsburgh, Pa.
  • Playing Surface: Natural Grass
  • TV Coverage: FOX (locally WPGH-TV, channel 53)
    Announcers: Kenny Albert (play-by-play) | Ronde Barber (analyst) | Kristina Pink (sideline)
  • Local Radio: Steelers Radio Network WDVE-FM (102.5)/WBGG-AM (970)
    Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) | Tunch Ilkin (analyst) | Craig Wolfley (sideline)
  • National Radio: ESPN Radio
    Announcers: Adam Amin (play-by-play) | Bill Polian (analyst)
  • Sirius: 98 (Min), 83 (Pit) | XM: 382 (Min), 83 (Pit)

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Game Capsule

  • QB SAM BRADFORD completed 27 of 32 (84.4 pct.) for 346 yards, 3 TDs & 0 INTs for 143 rating last week. In past 3 vs. AFC, has 854 pass yards (284.7 per game), 3 TDs & 1 INT for 102.5 rating.
  • RB DALVIN COOK (rookie) rushed for 127 yards in Week 1, most rush yards by Viking in NFL debut. Was 1 of 3 rookies to rush for 100+ yards last week (KAREEM HUNT & LEONARD FOURNETTE).
  • WR STEFON DIGGS had 7 receptions for 93 yards & 2 TDs in Week 1. Is 1st Viking with 2 rec. TDs on Kickoff Weekend since 2004 (RANDY MOSS). WR ADAM THIELEN led team with 9 receptions & 157 rec. yards last week. Has 16 receptions, 303 rec. yards (151.5 per game) & 2 TDs in past 2 on road. TE KYLE RUDOLPH had TD catch in Week 1. Aims for 3rd in row with rec. TD. Has 13 rec. TDs since 2015, tied for 4th most among NFL TEs.
  • DE EVERSON GRIFFEN had 6 tackles & sack last week. Had sack & FF in last meeting. Has 31.5 sacks since 2014, 5th most in NFL. DE DANIELLE HUNTER has 8.5 sacks in past 9. Has 4.5 sacks & FF in past 6 vs. AFC. LB ANTHONY BARR had 8 tackles last week. Aims for 4th in row with 6+ tackles. CB TRAE WAYNES led team with career-high 11 tackles in Week 1. In past 10 on road, CB XAVIER RHODES has 2 INTs & 11 PD. S HARRISON SMITH has 6.5 sacks since 2014, most among NFL safeties. CB TERENCE NEWMAN aims for 3rd in row vs. Pit. with 6+ tackles & 2+ PD.
  • QB BEN ROETHLISBERGER passed for 263 yards with 2 TDs vs. 1 INT for 95.0 rating last week. Had 383 pass yards in last meeting. Has 32-15 (.681) career record vs. NFC. Has 47,077 pass yards, 9th most in NFL history.
  • RB LE’VEON BELL rushed for 2 TDs in last meeting. In 3 career games vs. NFC North, has 301 scrimmage yards (217 rush, 84 rec.) & 3 rush TDs. Since entering NFL in 2013, averages 127.0 scrimmage yards per game, most in NFL.
  • WR ANTONIO BROWN had 11 catches for 182 yards in Week 1. Has 6 games with 175+ rec. yards since entering league in 2010, most among active players. Had 12 catches for 88 yards in last meeting. Has NFL-best 492 catches since 2013, 89 more than next closest player (DEMARYIUS THOMAS, 403). WR MARTAVIS BRYANT has 11 catches for 206 yards (103 per game) & 2 TDs in past 2 vs. NFC. TE JESSE JAMES had career-high 2 TD catches last week.
  • CB JOE HADEN had sack in team debut last week. Is 1 of 2 in NFL (BRENT GRIMES) with 15+ INTs (19) & 100+ PD (102) since 2010. In Week 1, rookie LB T.J. WATT became 1st player with 2+ sacks & INT in NFL debut on KO Weekend since sack became official stat in 1982. LB ANTHONY CHICKILLO had career-high 2 sacks last week. S MIKE MITCHELL had 2 INTs & sack in his last game vs. Min. (10/13/13 wtih Car.). LB JAMES HARRISON had 2 sacks in his last game vs. Min. (10/25/09).

 

Statistics and game information courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers and/or National Football League.


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