TJ Watt Pittsburgh Steelers
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 15: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a sack against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
After the three games of the 2025 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting at 2-1, with wins over the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Aaron Rodgers and company fell short against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, but momentum has swung back in their favor ahead of a trip overseas to take on the Carson Wentz-led Minnesota Vikings.
Along with the challenge of playing overseas in London, England, dealing with jetlag and simply being out of place in a different country, the Steelers’ defense might have its hands full with a Vikings squad that’s coming off a 48-point performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.
One player who will play a major role in trying to slow down the Minnesota offense will be superstar T.J. Watt. The one-time Defensive Player of the Year has already racked up two sacks and a forced fumble ahead of the clash with the Vikings.
T.J. Watt Ready to Face Resurgent Carson Wentz
Carson Wentz Minnesota Vikings
GettyCarson Wentz #11 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
During the Steelers’ media availability on Monday, Watt was asked about what stands out when it comes to Wentz.
“A mobile guy,” Watt said of Wentz. “Obviously, he has above-the-neck smarts. He’s been doing it for a while. He has a very lively arm. He can throw any throw he wants. Top guy for a reason when he was doing his best. It’ll be a challenge.”
With J.J. McCarthy ruled out for the second straight week due to an ankle injury, Wentz gets the call after a solid performance against the Bengals. The former No. 2 overall pick threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns, as the Vikings proceeded to crush Cincinnati, 48-10.
Obviously, that kind of success from Wentz might change with Watt chasing him around every play.
Aaron Rodgers Getting the Job Done for Steelers
Aaron Rodgers Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium.
Rodgers’ stint with the Steelers started with a bang, as he threw for four touchdowns against his old team, which turned many heads, with some believing the four-time NFL MVP might be past his prime after his time in New York.
In Week 2, Rodgers regressed a bit after a spectacular debut. The veteran quarterback threw two interceptions against the Seahawks and struggled to get the offense going with a completion percentage of 54.6.
Fortunately for Pittsburgh, Rodgers had a bounce-back game in Week 3 against the Patriots despite throwing for only 136 yards. The superstar signal-caller threw touchdowns and one interception while leading the team to its second win of the 2025 campaign, giving the team some much-needed momentum heading to London against a Vikings team that might have figured something out in Week 3.
As of right now, the Vikings are slightly favored against the Steelers at -2.5. These spreads constantly fluctuate over the course of the week due to injuries that pop up and other factors, so there’s a chance this swings the other way, but as of now, Rodgers and company are the underdogs for this matchup across the pond.
Ryan Ward is a longtime credentialed writer covering the NBA and NFL. He has over 15 years of experience in the sports industry from writing, editing, social media management and podcasting. He has covered the Lakers and Raiders for Medium Large Sports, with a previous stint at ClutchPoints. Ward is a Los Angeles native from the United Kingdom, who now resides in Colorado. More about Ryan Ward
