Irish eyes were smiling: The Steelers put on a show in front of 74,000 people at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday, defeating the Minnesota Vikings, 24-21, in the first NFL regular season game ever in Ireland.
It was a game late Steelers Chairman and Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney envisioned years ago, and Coach Mike Tomlin spoke from the heart when sharing what the win meant.
“We talked a lot about the late, great Ambassador Rooney last night (at the team meeting),” said Tomlin. “I know he’s smiling at us today. It’s just an honor to fulfill his vision, to bring NFL football to Dublin.
“I’ve been thinking about him a lot on a personal level.”
Tomlin overall was impressed by the entire experience in Dublin, sharing his appreciation for all aspects of how the team was treated throughout their stay.
“I just can’t express enough the reception that we got here,” said Tomlin. “The hospitality, the accommodations, the service — it was all topnotch.
“It’s an honor to represent American football here in Dublin.”
The win over the Vikings certainly helped to accentuate all of the other aspects.
“It was just a great trip,” said Tomlin. “Obviously, a component of it being a great trip is doing the job, and thankfully we were able to do that.
“We made it a little more entertaining than maybe it should have been, but the Vikings had a lot to do with that. That group’s got a lot of fight. They’re well coached.
“It’s just a fun atmosphere, good to get a win. Good to go into the bye in the position that we’re in.”
As Tomlin said, the Steelers do have a bye this week, allowing them to get some rest following the overseas trip, as well as get some players back to full health, in the secondary in particular.
The team was already without cornerback Joey Porter Jr. on Sunday, and safety DeShon Elliott returned to the field after missing two games injured.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey suffered a hamstring injury in the Vikings game, although he was able to return, and Darrius Slay (cleated) and Brandin Echols (cramps) both had issues.
“We’re leaking in some areas, so it’s probably at an appropriate time, but to be honest with you, I’ve never had a bye that didn’t seem like it didn’t come at the appropriate time,” said Tomlin.
Tomlin said the injuries in the secondary played a role in the 81-yard reception from Carson Wentz to Jordan Addison in the fourth quarter, that eventually led to a touchdown to close the gap to, 24-21.
“We were leaking bad at that juncture,” said Tomlin. “I think we had a big nickel in and three safeties, and that’s not ideal. Under the circumstance, you’re really limited in terms of your schematics. You can’t play man to man, so it was what it was, but we were able to get out of the stadium.”