By Mike Ashcraft
SteelerNation.com
The Steelers (1-0) are set to host the Minnesota Vikings (1-0) in Pittsburgh's 2017 home opener at Heinz Field on Sunday (Sept. 17). Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The contest will be televised by FOX Sports.
SERIES HISTORY
The contest will mark the 17th all-time regular season meeting between the two franchises dating back to 1962. Minnesota leads the all-time series, 9-7, but the Steelers hold a 5-4 edge in games played in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have taken both meetings with the Vikings at Heinz Field, recording a 21-16 victory on Dec. 2, 2001, and a 27-17 win on Oct. 25, 2009.
The Steelers and Vikings last met in the regular season on Sept. 29, 2013, at Wembley Stadium in London. Minnesota handed Pittsburgh its fourth-straight loss to open the 2013 season with a 34-27 win. Rookie running back Le'Veon Bell ran for a pair of touchdowns in the loss.
MEMORABLE MATCHUP
Pittsburgh's most memorable matchup with Minnesota, of course, came on Jan. 12, 1975, in Super Bowl IX at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. The Steelers earned the first of their six Super Bowl titles with a 16-6 win over the Vikings. Fullback Franco Harris rushed for a Super Bowl-record 158 yards on a Super Bowl-record 34 carries and scored a touchdown in the victory. Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain limited Minnesota to just 119 yards and forced five turnovers.
NOTABLE FRANCHISE CONNECTION
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin spent the 2006 season as Minnesota's defensive coordinator. The Vikings ranked as the NFL's best defense against the run that year. Tomlin was hired by the Steelers on Jan. 27, 2007, to become the 16th head coach in the history of the Pittsburgh franchise.
SERIES HIGHS
Passing Yards -- Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger, 383, 9/29/2013; Vikings: Brett Favre, 334, 10/25/2009
Rushing Yards -- Steelers: Franco Harris, 128, 11/26/1972; Vikings: Terry Allen, 172, 12/20/1992
Receiving Yards -- Steelers: Yancey Thigpen, 141, 9/24/1995; Vikings: Randy Moss, 144, 12/2/2001
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