Minnesota Vikings entertain the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football this week, and our betting expert is on hand to provide some free NFL Picks for the game, as well as details on an exclusive offer at the BetOnline sportsbook that entitles newcomers to up to a $1,000 welcome bonus. 

NFL – Minnesota Vikings vs Pittsburgh SteelersThursday, December 9 at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MNThe game begins at 20:20 ESTBroadcast live on FOX Sports

This Thursday night, the Minnesota Vikings (5-7; NFC North) will face the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1; AFC North) in a game that’s likely to have huge implications on both teams’ pushes for playoff qualification.

For the latest odds, a full betting preview, up-to-date team news, and our NFL Picks for the game, read on.

Vikings vs Steelers Odds 

Below are the latest NFL odds for Minessota Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers as broadcast on BetOnline on Wednesday, December 8.

Our betting Picks are highlighted in bold (odds subject to change).

Click here to bet on Vikings vs Steelers at BetOnline

Vikings vs Steelers Preview 

Pittsburgh Steelers ebbed their way back into playoff contention in the AFC North last weekend when Lamar Jackson’s misthrow to Mark Andrews for a two-point conversion got them over the line against division leaders Baltimore Ravens, 20-19.

Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt sacked Jackson 3.5 times in that game to bring his total for the year to 16 sacks, meaning Watt now leads the NFL in this category. When Watt plays, the Steelers tend to eke out results, so Vikings QB Kirk Cousins will need to be aware of the linebacker’s every move.

Offensively, the Steelers are still struggling. Despite the emergence of Alabama product Najee Harris as one of the NFL’s best RBs, Mike Tomlin’s team continues to throw the ball with much more regularity than they run it, and the offense averages just 86.9-yards per game on the ground. QB Ben Roethlisberger has improved in recent weeks and the veteran’s game management was much better vs Ravens than it was against the Bengals a week prior, but his QB rating of 44.3 is only good enough for 24th in the NFL. Roethlisberger struggles to escape pressure, too and can be got at by a decent pass rush outfit…

Big Ben’s inability to run could play into Vikings’ coach Mike Zimmer’s hands. Besides only tomorrow’s opponents the Steelers (37 sacks), the Vikings are the league’s second-best outfit when it comes to sacking the QB and have racked up 36 combined sacks to date. The problem – and the main reason for Minnesota’s inconsistent form, however, is that this gung-ho pass-rush philosophy is leaving the Vikings exposed at the mid-deep levels in coverage, a fact evidenced by Minnesota’s lowly 30th ranking for total yards against (382.0 YAPG).

There’s no doubting the talents on the Vikings offense, and if RB Dalvin Cook and WR Adam Thielen are fit to join QB Kirk Cousins and WR Justin Jefferson, the Steelers will be in for a mammoth test on the road.

But, unable to rely on a defense that’s giving up 25.5 points per game and that just capitulated vs the formerly winless Detroit Lions last Sunday, anything less than a full suit on offense could lead to an equally tough night for the Vikings up against T.J. Watt and co.

Vikings vs Steelers Team News 

Minnesota Vikings have concerns over the availability of WR Adam Thielen, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, and RB Dalvin Cook, who is still struggling with the shoulder injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s shock defeat to the Detroit Lions. Starting LT Christian Darrisaw is listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision for Vikings coach Mike Zimmer.

Pittsburgh Steelers LG B.J. Finney will be a game-time decision for coach Mike Tomlin, and there are a couple of concerns on the Steelers defense too, with NT Isaiah Buggs and LCB Joe Haden both questionable to start tomorrow night.

NFL Picks: Vikings vs Steelers

The Vikings have been involved in 13 games that have ended with one team winning by just a single score. So, we are certainly expecting a very tight contest tomorrow night.

However, having just seen Mike Tomlin’s team get the job done against Baltimore when it mattered most, it would be unwise to bet against a Pittsburgh Steelers franchise that historically tends to make the playoffs as we move into the business end of the year, especially at favorable +148 odds on the moneyline

Prediction: Steelers edge out a close one on the road

Click here to bet on Steelers to win on the moneyline (+148) at BetOnline

Vikings vs Steelers –  NFL Free Bets

By signing up at BetOnline in time for Thursday Night Football: Vikings vs Steelers, newcomers are eligible to receive up to $1,000 in free NFL bets on the game.

There are also a host of other top deals available via the BetOnline promo codes found at the link.

To claim the $1,000 deposit bonus at BetOnline, just follow the steps below:

Click the link to go to BetOnlineSign up for a new account using promo code BOL1000Deposit $10 – $1,000Receive a matched 50% deposit bonus of up to $1,000

Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus at BetOnline