Steelers' Calvin Austin III Discusses Significant Problem With Playing Internationally: "It Can Affect The Team"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for their first international contest in over a decade as the team traveled to Ireland on Thursday night for a game that will be played against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Whenever games take place overseas, there is always a lot of discussion about either team's travel strategy. Teams in the past have gone earlier in the week so that they can get acclimated to the time change, while others have waited until later in the week. In this specific case, the NFL blocked both clubs from going early and the Vikings and Steelers were forced to travel roughly at the same time.

The Steelers will be playing in Dublin, Ireland, which is five hours ahead of Pittsburgh. It is going to be a slight challenge to adjust to that time change while also preparing for a game on Sunday. Pittsburgh at least has it better than Minnesota as the time change for the Vikings is one hour longer. Wide receiver Calvin Austin III spoke to the media on Friday morning after the team arrived in Dublin, and he was asked about the different challenges that come with playing overseas.

"It can affect the team if you allow it to affect you," Austin said. "But both teams had to travel. At the end of the day, we’re playing football. I think when we get out there on the field, we’ll be flying."

Both sides of this contest are facing the same challenges, and part of who wins this game is going to come down to who is able to handle the international challenges best. Pittsburgh is at a disadvantage in that regard as the Vikings played overseas during the 2024 season, so more of the players for Minnesota have actual experience doing something similar.

The Steelers are not forced to play overseas often. The last time it happened was in 2013 when the team played in London, which was also against the Vikings. Pittsburgh lost the matchup, and a lot of players have since spoken up and stated that the team did not travel appropriately or give themselves enough time to get used to the time change. It was said that players and coaches were falling asleep in warmups, practice, and meetings, which is hopefully something the Steelers can avoid this time around.

Pittsburgh is practicing on Friday, and the team will have a walkthrough on Saturday with a bunch of meetings in between. The team is playing in a stand alone spot on Sunday morning, so hopefully the franchise's best performance can be put forward and the group is properly prepared. The game won't be easy as the Vikings have one of the most talented rosters in the entire league, but if Pittsburgh can play its first complete game of 2025, it will have a good chance to win.

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Will Look To Avenge His 2024 International Performance

Pittsburgh is going to need a good game from quarterback Aaron Rodgers against the Vikings, which is not going to be easy considering they have one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL in Brian Flores. When Rodgers was with the New York Jets during the 2024 season, they squared off against Minnesota in London. The game did not go well for Rodgers as it seemed like Flores' defense got the best of him throughout the game. He finished with three interceptions, three sacks, and he barely completed over 50 percent of his passes.

New York lost the game, so it is fair to say that Rodgers is going to be looking for a better performance from himself this time around.

What do you think about Austin's comments after arriving in Ireland? Let us know in the comments below!

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