Steelers, Vikings Have Plenty of International History
Team flags are displayed on the field ahead of the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings at Wembley Stadium, London, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Nicky Hayes, NFL UK)
The last time the Steelers played overseas, they lost to the Minnesota Vikings–sparking a new era of Steelers football.
The Pittsburgh Steelers learned on Tuesday they will be playing host to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 of their highly anticipated game in Ireland. The contest will make history as the first regular-season NFL game played in Ireland. Ironically, the last time the Steelers played across the pond, they also played against the Vikings.
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Minnesota, of course, was the designated host of that matchup. In the 2013 preseason, the game looked like a promising battle between two fringe playoff teams. The Steelers missed the postseason the previous year while the Vikings managed to squeak in, losing their wildcard battle in Green Bay.
Pittsburgh Steelers' chairman Dan Rooney speaks on stage flanked by his son the team president Art Rooney II, right, and players tight end Heath Miller, left, and wide receiver Antonio Brown during an NFL fan rally event in Regent Street, London, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013. The Minnesota Vikings are to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at Wembley stadium in London on Sunday, Sept. 29 in a regular season NFL game. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Instead, both teams entered the game 0-3, desperately looking to get their first win of the season. Both the Vikings and Steelers had offensive debuts on tap with Matt Cassell going under center for Minnesota. Pittsburgh debuted what would be the start of a memorable run with the debut of second-round running back Le'Veon Bell.
Cassell led the Vikings to a quick 10-0 lead following a 70-yard touchdown strike to Greg Jennings. Ben Roethlisberger would answer by leading the Steelers down the field, which capped off with Bell's first career score–an eight-yard run to cap off an eight-play, 75-yard drive.
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Pittsburgh's defense, going through transition, had a difficult time keeping up with the Minnesota offense, allowing a 60-yard Adrian Peterson touchdown run shortly after. Following another Viking field goal, Roethlisberger's squad found themselves down 20-10 at the half.
FILE – In this Oct. 1, 2017, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
Though Bell scored his second touchdown of the game to open the second half, Peterson answered with a second touchdown run of his own. Eventually, Minnesota pulled ahead 34-17 and staved the Steelers off in a 34-24 victory in London.
The loss dropped Pittsburgh to 0-4, and both teams eventually missed the postseason. The Vikings finished 5-10-1, fired head coach Leslie Frazier, and hired Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer as their new head coach.
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The Steelers, however, finished their season 8-8 and barely missed the postseason. Roethlisberger, Bell, and Antonio Brown elevated late in the season, leading to the 'Killer B's' era. The trio, along with a young and rising offensive line, would become a strength for the Steel City.
This year, it may be unlikely to see a future ignite like we observed 12 years ago. However, the matchup in Ireland will be a big welcome for the black and gold. Not only for the viewing pleasure of Steelers fans, but the loyalty of the Rooney family to the Emerald Isle.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers, Vikings Have Plenty of International History
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