(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Many left the Steelers for dead after getting blowout by the Bengals, 41-10, in Week 12. However, with their backs up against the wall and the Steelers alumni giving them an ear full, the Steelers bounced back and defeated the Ravens, 20-19, on Sunday at Heinz Field. The Steelers' playoff hopes would have been pretty much all but over had they lost to the Ravens, but they're right back in the AFC playoff picture now along with a slew of other teams. Tony Romo believes the Steelers need to get to 10-6-1 to make the playoffs, which means they would have to go 4-1 to finish the season. That journey starts on Thursday night, as the Steelers take on the 5-7 Vikings, who are coming off a loss to the then-winless Lions.
According to Oddsshark.com, the Vikings are currently 3-point favorites against the Steelers, and the over/under is 44.5 points. The Vikings are most likely favorites because they're at home and it's a short week. They'll be without running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) and likely wide receiver Adam Thielen (ankle), though.
The Steelers are 4-1 straight up in their last five games against the Vikings and the Steelers are 2-6 in their last eight games on the road.The Steelers are 0-6 against the spread in their last six games against an opponent in the NFC and are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games against an opponent in the NFC North.
The Steelers are 9-9 all-time against the Vikings. Since the Steelers played the Vikings in London in 2013, Thursday night will be the first time that the Steelers have faced the Vikings in Minnesota since 2005. This will also be Mike Tomlin's first time returning to Minnesota as the Steelers' head coach. Tomlin was the defensive coordinator for the Vikings in 2006.