It’s a pair of playoff hopefuls to kick off NFL Week 14 on Thursday night as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Minnesota Vikings with both teams badly needing a win. It’s the Steelers’ first-ever game at US Bank Stadium.

The Vikings are 9-9 all-time against the Steelers, which includes going 0-1 in Super Bowl XI. Of the past 10 games between the Steelers and Vikings, only three have been home games for Minnesota. And one of those “home” contests was played at Wembley Stadium in London. The Steelers are making their first trip to U.S. Bank Stadium for their first game in Minnesota since 2005.

They last met early in the 2017 season in Pittsburgh and the Steelers won 26-9. Ben Roethlisberger finished 24 of 35 for 243 yards and two scores, a 27-yard strike to Martavis Bryant in the first quarter and a 4-yard flip to JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second. Minnesota’s QB back then was Case Keenum. Minnesota’s only touchdown came on a 1-yard plunge by fullback C.J. Ham that drew the Vikings within 17-9 early in the third quarter.

NitroBetting is ready to equip its bettors with all the latest previews and odds for Week 14 of the 2021 NFL season. Find out more about the teams and the key players, event information, the latest NFL odds, and of course, helpful betting trends and expert betting predictions. Check out for more Football odds, analysis, and a free picks at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

Steelers vs. Vikings Game Information

First #PITvsMIN injury report pic.twitter.com/nx5LQ1aU7Q

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 6, 2021

• When: Thursday, December 9, 2021, 8:20 PM ET
• Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• TV: FOX
• Radio: WDVE-FM 102.5 (Steelers) / KFXN-FM 100.3 (Vikings)
• Live Stream:NFL Game Pass
• NFL Odds: Steelers (+3) / Vikings (-3)

READ MORE: Ravens vs. Browns 2021 NFL Week 14 Odds, Analysis and Prediction

Why Bet on the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Pittsburgh (6-5-1) got a huge win Sunday, 20-19 over Baltimore when the Ravens decided to try a two-point conversion for the win in the final seconds and were stopped. The Steelers could manage only a field goal through the first three quarters of the game, but they stormed back in the fourth quarter for 17 points, taking a 20-13 lead with 1:48 left. But Lamar Jackson led a fast drive down the field, and the Ravens scored 6 points with 12 seconds left. John Harbaugh opted to go for it and with T.J. Watt in his face, Jackson threw a pass just off Mark Andrews’s fingertips as Pittsburgh escaped.

Roethlisberger completed 21-of-31 attempts for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Roethlisberger played better than the box score would indicate. He threw his best pass of the 2021 season on a dropped 37-yard touchdown to Dionate Johnson in the first half, then hit Johnson twice for scores in the fourth quarter. Johnson caught 8-of-11 targets for 105 yards and the two touchdowns.

The Steelers will likely be without cornerback Joe Haden and offensive lineman B.J. Finney for this game. Haden has missed the last three games due to a foot injury. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Haden is at the practice facility receiving treatment this week but it will be difficult to have him available on a short week. Finney left Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens with a back injury and is still being evaluated.

Why Bet on the Minnesota Vikings?

Minnesota (5-7) was beaten 29-27 at winless Detroit on a walk-off TD pass. Jared Goff threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown as time expired. Goff led the Lions on a 75-yard decisive possession without a timeout after Kirk Cousins threw a go-ahead 3-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson with 1:50 left. The Vikings failed on a 2-point conversion for the third time, and those missed opportunities proved costly.

Cousins completed 30-of-40 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. He rushed for six yards, took three sacks, and lost a fumble. Cousins’ 75% completion rate was his second-best day of the season, and the 340 yards were his third-most of the year. He’s gone five straight games with multiple passing scores.

The Vikings played the Lions without top running back Dalvin Cook due to injury and lost Pro Bowl receiver Adam Thielen during the game so neither is likely here. Thielen suffered a high-ankle sprain and those are usually 4-6-week injuries. Thielen injured his left ankle on the Vikings’ first offensive series when he was tackled by Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs after catching a screen pass on third-and-9. Without Thielen in the game, Jefferson reached a career-high 182 yards receiving on 11 catches and scored on a 3-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to temporarily give the Vikings a 27-23 lead.

Steelers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games.

Steelers vs. Vikings Betting Trends

• Steelers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 Thursday games.
• Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
• The totals went under in 9 of Pittsburgh’s last 12 games played in December.
• Vikings are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 14.
• Vikings are 42-19 ATS in their last 61 games following a straight up loss.
• The totals went over in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games.

Steelers vs. Vikings Expert Betting Predictions

Pick: Vikings 23, Steelers 20

Check out our latest sports betting guides for the 2021 NFL Regular Season. Stay tuned for more Football previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Football betting odds at our online Bitcoin sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.