After watching the Pittsburgh Steelers over the first three weeks of the 2025 season, there are more than enough reasons to be concerned about the offense. Aaron Rodgers' passing attack averaged just 6.0 yards per attempt in a 21-14 win over the New England Patriots that required five takeaways to get the job done. Meanwhile, the Steelers are 31st in rushing yards and yards per attempt.
Now there's a whole new reason for Pittsburgh's offense to be on high alert.
Just days before kicking off Week 4 with an international game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland, we learned of a terrifying stat. NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky pointed out the fact that the Vikings have allowed just 1-of-18 conversions on third down and long situations through the first three weeks of the season.
Minnesota's defense is spearheaded by Brian Flores—arguably the most aggressive defensive play-caller in the NFL. The Vikings DC is also a former Steelers defensive assistant who knows Mike Tomlin and the team well. Flores' defense ranks fifth in total third-down conversion percentage, allowing opposing teams to pick up a first down just 31.58 percent of the time.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans must prepare for a rocky offensive showing against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4
But the layers of fear get more terrifying when you consider how bad the Steelers have been on third downs this year.
Pittsburgh's biggest troubles on offense have come on third downs. Aaron Rodgers and company have just a 38.24 third-down conversion percentage, per Team Rankings. This means that, when the Steelers' offense gets to third-down situations, they have just over a one-in-three chance to convert.
Unfortunately, Pittsburgh's biggest weakness on offense happens to be the Vikings' greatest strength on defense.
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Though the Vikings haven't played elite offenses early in the season—they've faced the Bears, Falcons, and Bengals (without Joe Burrow)—holding three opponents collectively to 1-of-18 on third down and long is an impressive feat. Flores can make this statistic look even more impressive after facing the Steelers in Week 4.
Steelers' offensive coordinator Arthur Smith can't be caught napping. He must be aware of just how aggressive the Vikings are and how great they've been at getting opposing offenses off the field on third downs.
Smith will need a plan to counteract Minnesota's defensive niche. The Vikings will look to bring quick pressure through exotic blitzes, and the Steelers must be ready with quick slants and digs that would allow them to get the ball out quickly while doing some damage after the catch.
What happens when you take a team that's bad at converting third downs on offense and make them play against one of the best teams in the league at stopping third downs? We're about to find out.