Presented by

NFL Expert Picks: Vikings-Steelers Expected to be Close

Dec 09, 2021 at 03:30 PM

Eric Smith

Former Team Reporter

Week 14 is here, as the Vikings will host the Steelers tonight on Thursday Night Football.

Minnesota is 5-7, while Pittsburgh is 6-5-1. Kickoff is at 7:20 p.m. (CT) from U.S. Bank Stadium.

Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:

Vikings 24, Steelers 20 — Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com

The Vikings are capable of losing any game — especially when the defense is missing its spine, as was the case this past Sunday in Detroit. Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr and Patrick Peterson are all expected to return for this game against a Steelers attack that found some answers against the Ravens by letting Ben Roethlisberger take command. While I worry about a Christian Darrisaw-free offensive line going up against T.J. Watt and friends, the Vikings are too exhausting a 2021 storyline to go away quietly by falling to 5-8. They will torture their fans until the end!

Vikings 20, Steelers 14 — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

This is a playoff game for these teams. The Steelers impressed in beating Baltimore last week in a close game, while the Vikings struggled against the Lions. It's tough to play on the road on a short week, especially after a rivalry game, which is why I think the Vikings will win this one in a low-scoring game.

Steelers 23, Vikings 20 — Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

The Steelers offense is putting more pieces together with Najee Harris being supported much better by Ben Roethlisberger and the passing game. The Vikings run defense has fallen apart and they are mess downfield in the secondary. Their offense [might] be without Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen, too. Minnesota has made it a habit of losing close games.

Steelers 24, Vikings 21 — Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk

The Vikings loss to the Lions looked to me like the kind of game that could send a season into a tailspin. I'll pick the Steelers to go to Minnesota and pull the upset.

Vikings 27, Steelers 23 — Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk

The Steelers are dead men walking. The Vikings are dead men running. Advantage Vikings.

Vikings 23, Steelers 20 — Staff, Bleacher Report

The Steelers are coming off a win, but it's their only victory in the last month. The Vikes have lost two in a row, but they've avoided three-game losing streaks twice already this season. Still, they could be falling off a cliff, and they'll be without Adam Thielen (ankle) and could be without Dalvin Cook (shoulder). It's tough to feel fired up about either side here.