Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings Week 14 Pick
In creating our Thursday Night Football Pittsburgh vs Minnesota prediction, we’re coming off a MNF double-win. This past Monday, we picked the Pats (-3.0) to cover against the Bills and for the total to go under. We got both right. At that point, we were coming off a 2-1 weekend. So, we’re on a bit of a roll.
However, this Pittsburgh vs Minnesota pick looks to be very tight. Over their last five games, both teams are 2-3. The Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1 Overall, 2-3 Away) are coming off a 20-19 win against the Ravens. They’re third in the AFC North. The Minnesota Vikings (5-7 Overall, 3-2 Home), who are a distant second to the Packers in the NFC North, have lost two straight. The losses were to San Francisco and Detroit. The Steelers are +3.0 (+110), while the Vikings are -3.0 (-120). The betting public money is favoring Pittsburg 57-to-43 percent. The over/under is 44.0. The over is at -112 and under -108.
This TNF game will be played on December 9, 2021 and will kick off at 8:20 pm ET. The game will be played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. This TNF game will be carried on FOX and the NFL Network.
Steelers vs Vikings Pick – Key Stats
Pittsburgh is averaging 20.3 PPG. On the other hand, the Vikings are at 25.7 PPG. Additionally, Minnesota is averaging about 60 more YPG on offense (395.6-to-336.9 YPG). However, on defense, the Steelers are better, allowing 23.8 PPG to Minnesota’s 25.4. On defense, the yards are almost equal with the Steelers allowing 20 fewer yards per contest.
Our Pittsburgh vs Minnesota prediction notes that on defense, the Steelers top the Vikings in TFL (68-37). Conversely, Minnesota has 10 interceptions while Pitt has made six picks.
Pittsburgh vs Minnesota Prediction – Players to Watch
Of the two signal callers, the Vikings’ Kirk Cousins is having a better season than Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger. Cousins tops Roethlisberger in passing percentage (68.4%-64.8%) and TDs (25-16), while he’s thrown fewer picks (3-6) and been sacked fewer times (18-25).
Roethlisberger’s two primary pass catchers, wideout Diontae Johnson and tight end Pat Freiermuth, who each have six TD catches, are both active. Additionally, dual-threat running back Najee Harris, who’s averaged 3.6 YPA and scored five rushing scores, has 57 catches and three receiving scores.
Three of Minnesota’s top four receivers, wideouts Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn and tight end Tyler Conklin, will play. Together, they have 13 TD catches. However, WR Adam Thielen (10 TDs) is out. Top dual-threat running back Dalvin Cook, who’s listed as questionable, is averaging 4.5 YPA and has scored four times. RB Alexander Mattison, who’s also a dual threat, is healthy. He’s averaging 3.7 YPA and has scored two rushing TDs and one receiving.
Defense
On defense, Pitt’s T.J. Watt is a huge force, accumulating 16 sacks, 16 TFL, 4 FF, and 2 FR. Other important contributors on the Steeler defense include linebacker Joe Schobert (5 PD), safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (3 PD, 2 INTs), and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (6.5 SCKs, 10 TFL, 7 PD, 1 INT). The trio is one, two, and three in tackles respectively.
For Minnesota, DE Danielle Hunter (6 SCKs, 6 TFL), who’s played in just seven games, is on injured reserve. However, DT Armon Watts (4 SCKs, 2 TFL, 1 FF) is a tough frontline defender. Linebacker Eric Kendricks tops the team in tackles with 109. He’s also notched four sacks, two TFL, four PD, and two INTs. Safeties Harrison Smith and Xavier Woods offer premium coverage.
Pittsburgh vs Minnesota Prediction - Spread & Totals
As noted, this game has all the hallmarks of ending in a very close score. Our Pittsburgh vs Minnesota prediction notes that if Cousins can find his touch, the Vikings have a good chance of winning. However, the Steelers are healthy on defense and do have numerous top-notch performers. Still, the Steelers have struggled on offense. Plus, we think the Viking D has enough to hamper the Pitt attack. We’re going with the Vikings in this one. Also, we’re taking the over. Our sense is the final score will not be as close as the hallmarks indicate. Thus, we find the final score will be around 36-20 in favor of the home team.
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Summary – Pittsburgh Steelers vs Minnesota Vikings Pick:
Point Spread Pick – Minnesota Vikings at -3.0 (-120)
Totals Pick - Over 44.0 (-112)
