EAGAN, Minn. – Xavier Woods had never faced a foe like this.
The Louisiana, native who played college football near his hometown and for Dallas from 2017-20, got his first full-throttle exposure to a Minnesota winter — and subzero wind chill — Monday.
Woods spoke to Twin Cities media members Tuesday to discuss fixes that the Vikings need to make and their preparations for the Steelers on a short week.
Near the end, he was asked about the blast of Arctic air that arrived at the start of the work week.
"Let me tell you, [Monday] I walked outside, and the wind hit me, I couldn't breathe for like five seconds, so I walked backwards to my truck," Woods explained. "So it's definitely new, but man, it's beautiful. [The snow] is beautiful.
Woods' quick improving and adjustment comes at a time when the Vikings (5-7) are trying to put wind in their sails for the final five games of the 2021 regular season.
Minnesota will start the slate by hosting Pittsburgh (6-5-1) on Thursday Night Football and do so in its #PrimetimePurple uniforms.
More than 50 Vikings players will have special shoes for the My Cause My Cleats game.
Click here to view remaining ticket options.
Here are all the ways to catch the action and a synopsis of the series history between the teams.
BROADCAST TELEVISION
TV: FOX (KMSP FOX 9 in the Twin Cities) and NFL Network
Kickoff: 7:20 p.m. (CT)
Play-by-Play: Joe Buck
Analyst: Troy Aikman
Field reporters: Erin Andrews & Kristina Pink
ON MOBILE
Because this game is a national broadcast, fans everywhere can watch the game on their iOS mobile devices with the Vikings app or Vikings mobile site (Safari browser only). The Yahoo! Sports app for smartphones and tablets offers another method for viewing live local and prime-time NFL games.
STREAMING VIDEO
AMAZON
Commentators: Andrea Kremer & Hannah Storm
AMAZON'S SCOUTS FEED
Commentators: Bucky Brooks, Daniel Jeremiah & Joy Taylor
LOCAL RADIO
Radio: KFAN (100.3-FM), KTLK (1130-AM) and the five-state Vikings Radio Network
Radio Pregame Show: Hosted by Mike Mussman (5 p.m.)
Play-by-Play: Paul Allen
Analyst: Pete Bercich
Sideline reporters: Greg Coleman and Ben Leber
NATIONAL RADIO
Westwood One
Play-by-Play: Kevin Kugler
Analyst: Tony Boselli
SATELLITE RADIO
Pittsburgh: Sirius 81, XM 226, SXM App 826
Minnesota: Sirius 83, XM 225, SXM App 820
National: Sirius 88, XM 88, SXM App 88
VIKINGS MOBILE APP
Keep the Vikings nearby wherever you go with the Minnesota Vikings mobile app. A source for news and exclusive features, the app also will stream video broadcasts of games for people in the market/broadcast area of each game.
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS
Click here for the full bevy of options that include over-the-air, cable, satellite, over-the-top and streaming methods.
GAME PASS
Start your free trial of NFL Game Pass today to re-watch Vikings games on-demand. NFL Game Pass includes condensed games, live game-day audio, NFL programming and much more.
Look back at photos over the course of time featuring games between the Vikings and the Steelers.
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
2017
SERIES HISTORY
The Vikings are 9-9 all-time in 18 games against the Steelers (including 0-1 in the postseason).
This will be Pittsburgh's first trip to Minnesota since 2005 and first appearance at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The venue will be the ninth to host a game between the teams.
