The NFL’s long-awaited first regular-season game in Ireland delivered everything fans could’ve hoped for—drama, spectacle, and a wild mix of on- and off-field storylines. On September 28, 2025, in front of a raucous crowd of 74,512 at Dublin’s historic Croke Park, the Pittsburgh Steelers fended off a furious late rally by the Minnesota Vikings to secure a 24-21 victory, capping a weekend that saw both football glory and unexpected chaos in the Irish capital.
From the opening whistle, it was clear this wasn’t just any regular-season game. The Steelers, led by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, were playing with extra motivation, given the Rooney family’s deep Irish roots. “There were a lot of us that wanted to win a little bit more for the family, knowing how much affection they have for this area,” Rodgers said, echoing the sentiment coursing through the Steelers’ locker room.
Rodgers, who is new to the Pittsburgh franchise but no stranger to big moments, delivered in style. He completed 18 of 22 passes for 200 yards, including a jaw-dropping 80-yard touchdown bomb to DK Metcalf. Metcalf was a constant menace for the Vikings’ secondary, hauling in five catches for 126 yards and that highlight-reel score. The Steelers’ offense, missing starting running back Jaylen Warren due to a knee injury, leaned on Kenneth Gainwell, who answered the call with 99 rushing yards and two short touchdowns. Gainwell’s second score, a four-yard burst, gave Pittsburgh a seemingly insurmountable 21-6 lead in the third quarter.
But the Vikings weren’t about to let the NFL’s Irish debut become a one-sided affair. Carson Wentz, making his second straight start for the injured J.J. McCarthy, put up big numbers—30 of 46 passing for 350 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Wentz had to overcome relentless pressure, as the Steelers sacked him six times and forced two turnovers, including a pivotal interception by T.J. Watt. “I think this is the first game we really stopped the run to an extent, and then that led us to really teeing off on the pass rush,” said Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward. “There was always someone in his face, and he was uncomfortable.”
Early on, the game threatened to break wide open for Pittsburgh. In a wild first quarter, Vikings running back Jordan Mason appeared to fumble, with Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey scooping up the ball and dashing into the end zone. Ramsey celebrated by mimicking Justin Jefferson’s iconic “Griddy” dance—after faking a hamstring injury for good measure. But after review, the play was called back: Mason had touched the ball while out of bounds, nullifying the score. Still, the Steelers’ defense held the Vikings to a field goal on the drive, and Pittsburgh responded with back-to-back touchdown drives to seize control.
The Vikings’ offense, meanwhile, was buoyed by the return of Jordan Addison from a three-game suspension. Addison made an immediate impact, catching four passes for 114 yards, including a crucial 81-yard reception in the fourth quarter that nearly turned the tide. Justin Jefferson, as always, was electric with 10 receptions for 126 yards, but Minnesota struggled to convert on third down, finishing just 4 of 14.
The game’s final minutes were edge-of-your-seat stuff. Trailing 24-6, Wentz engineered a pair of late touchdown drives—one capped by a 16-yard pass to Zavier Scott (who also converted the two-point try), and another set up by Addison’s huge catch and finished by Jalen Nailor’s 2-yard score on fourth down. With just over a minute left, the Vikings got the ball back after a Steelers punt, but their comeback fizzled as Wentz’s final fourth-and-17 pass fell incomplete.
“We made it a little bit more entertaining than maybe it should have been, but the Vikings had a lot to do with that,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin admitted after the game. Tomlin also took a moment to reflect on the late Steelers chairman Daniel M. Rooney’s legacy. “I know he’s smiling at us today. I’ve been thinking about him a lot on a personal level.” Rooney, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012, was a driving force behind the Steelers’ Irish connections.
Yet, the weekend in Dublin wasn’t all celebration for the Steelers. Off the field, backup quarterback Skylar Thompson, already on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, was “jumped and robbed” during a Friday night outing in the city. Thompson suffered minor injuries but was seen arriving at the stadium Sunday with no visible marks. The incident raised questions about security for NFL teams abroad, especially as the league expands its international footprint. Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said, “We are aware of a situation involving Skylar Thompson on Friday night in Dublin. We will have no further comment at this time as we are working with NFL security to gather more information regarding the incident.”
This episode comes as the NFL’s international ambitions reach new heights. Commissioner Roger Goodell recently declared his hope that every team will play an international game each year, with seven such games scheduled for 2025 across London, Berlin, Madrid, and, starting in 2026, Rio de Janeiro. “When we first came up with the idea of [an international] regular season game, I didn’t think there would be as much support,” Goodell told CNBC. “But now, every team wants to do it. We don’t have to talk them into it. They’re asking us.”
On the injury front, both teams had setbacks. The Vikings lost center Ryan Kelly (concussion) and tackle Brian O’Neill (knee), while the Steelers saw wide receiver Calvin Austin III leave with a shoulder injury and cornerback Jalen Ramsey battle a hamstring issue throughout the contest. The Steelers head into their bye week with a 3-1 record, set to host the Cleveland Browns on October 12. The Vikings, now 2-2, travel to London to face the Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 5.
As the final whistle sounded, the Steelers could finally exhale, having survived a late Vikings onslaught and the unpredictability of a historic weekend in Dublin. For Pittsburgh, it was a win for the record books—a hard-fought victory in front of a sea of black and gold, and a fitting tribute to their Irish heritage. For the NFL, it was proof that American football has found a new home in Ireland, drama and all.
