The Steelers survived a tense Dublin showdown with Minnesota, winning 24-21 to move 3-1 and sit atop the AFC North. Pittsburgh controlled much of the game with a punishing run game and a disruptive front seven, while coaching decisions in the fourth quarter drew scrutiny even as the victory held. The win signals a rhythmic offensive and defensive surge, even as late-game miscues hint at room for sharper clock management.

Nick Herbig highlighted a breakout by pressuring Minnesota’s offense, while Keeanu Benton and Payton Wilson anchored a ferocious interior and sideline-to-sideline effort. D.K. Metcalf thrived as a versatile weapon, and Kenneth Gainwell delivered a near-100-yard rushing day with help from a mauling line. The combination kept Pittsburgh in control for most of the game and provided a blueprint for progress in the weeks ahead.

Offensively, the Steelers leaned on an adaptable scheme that fed Metcalf around the field, while the run game leveraged a jumbo package with Spencer Anderson to punch through Minnesota’s defense. The defense racked up six sacks on Wentz and kept the Vikings mostly out of rhythm, underscoring Pittsburgh’s edge through depth and discipline. The result: a win that feels earned, not lucky.

Final-minute drama aside, the Steelers demonstrated suffocating front-seven depth, improved run efficiency, and a playmaking secondary that can capitalize on pressure. If they tighten late-game decisions and sustain the run-pass balance, this team has staying power in a crowded AFC North race.

Cam Heyward is expected to play Week 1 against the New York Jets, keeping Pittsburgh’s interior defense anchored. Derrick Harmon is out, so Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black would shoulder heavier loads if Heyward sits. The visible pre-season drama around Heyward’s 2025 raise lingers, but Mike Tomlin’s stance signals confidence in the veteran. For fantasy managers, Heyward’s status directly shapes the DL rotation and potential upside for Benton and Black.

If Heyward suits up, Benton may see limited snaps while Heyward handles the heavy lifting, elevating the Jets’ interior challenge and stabilizing Pittsburgh’s run defense. If Heyward sits, Benton and Black become richer plays with expanded roles as the Jets test the middle and the Steelers lean on depth to contain interior runs and pressure the pocket.

Bottom line for fantasy: monitor Heyward’s health and status leading up to kickoff. His participation could cap Benton/Black upside, but an absence boosts both as moveable DL options with immediate upside in IDP formats and DFS contests.