Vikings get blunt words from Stephen A. Smith before Steelers game

Vikings get blunt words from Stephen A. Smith before Steelers game originally appeared on The Sporting News

The Minnesota Vikings' defense made the Cincinnati Bengals' life difficult in their 48-10 win last Sunday. Now, they'll look to replicate that performance against another AFC North team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Minnesota will be a significant challenge for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. So far this season, the Vikings' defense have given up the third fewest passing yards (424), only given up two passing touchdowns while recording nine team sacks and 33 QB pressures.

Pittsburgh could have issues looking to establish the passing game, and with the Vikings being able to get to the quarterback, that spells trouble for their veteran signal-caller.

Can Vikings' defense wreck Steelers' game plan?

On Wednesday's edition of "First Take," Stephen A. Smith shared his thoughts on the Steelers' matchup against the Vikings. Moreover, the ESPN personality spotlighted what unit will be key in this game.

"it's on the Steelers defense," Smith said. "Because if Carson Wentz goes out there and picks you apart, we got a problem. Now, I'm not enamored with what I see from the Steelers' defense. Rodgers is second in the league in touchdown passes at seven, only behind Lamar Jackson who's at nine. But if you look at him in a clean pocket, he's completing 78 percent of his passes.

"Under duress, it's 27 percent. He's not doing much. You know Brian Flores knows that, and Brian Flores is going to bring the rain. I don't expect the Steelers offense to do much in this particular game. It should be a very low-scoring game because you know the Vikings defense could help to assist in neutralizing the Pittsburgh Steelers."

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Additionally, Smith believes that the Steelers' defense will need to match what Minnesota will bring to the table and not let Wentz be the deciding factor.

"It's going to come down to the defense," Smith added. "If Carson Wentz goes out on that field and picks you apart, I will completely lose all faith in the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. I don't give a damn where the game is.

"I agree, you better show up because you know Minnesota's defense is going to show up. What are you going to do if you're the Steelers defense? That's the story of this game."