Overview

• The Steelers face the Vikings in Dublin on Sunday in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Ireland, with Pittsburgh designated as the home team.
• Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the NFL denied Pittsburgh’s plan to arrive earlier in the week and required both teams to land at the same time, with no reason given.
• Following that report, fan and media commentary in Pittsburgh redirected criticism from the Steelers to the NFL over control of travel logistics.
• Concerns about fatigue are informed by the Steelers’ 2013 London trip, when a late-week arrival was later described by players as leaving them exhausted in a loss.
• Debate over competitive balance continues, as the Vikings have back-to-back Europe games in Weeks 4 and 5 and teams still choose whether to take a bye after traveling overseas.