Snapshot look at the Vikings for Sunday's game

Our snapshot look at the Vikings as they prepare for Sunday's game against the Steelers in London:

The second-year safety got beat on Cleveland's game-winning touchdown last week, but he has been one of the defense's best playmakers. In three games, he has produced 26 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Smith faces another challenge this week against a Steelers team that ranks 10th in the NFL in passing offense. The Vikings have a depleted secondary, which puts even more pressure on Smith to be a steady presence.

Despite their health issues, Smith said he can't overcompensate in trying to help backups who are pressed into action.

"You might think that [way] from the outside looking in, but you really can't do that because then you're going to compromise your job," Smith said. "You've just got to trust the guys around you. We've got young guys, but they're coming along and doing their job."

Everson Griffen. NFL pundits — including Peter King — predicted a breakthrough season for the backup defensive end after he collected five sacks, one interception and 16 quarterback hurries in the Vikings' final seven games last season.

So far, Griffen's impact has been fairly limited. He has accounted for only six tackles, one quarterback hurry and one pass breakup while playing 61 percent of the defensive snaps.

Griffen gives the Vikings another pass rushing threat, especially in nickel situations when he slides over to tackle. He said he's not discouraged by his lack of productivity.

"It's going to come. I'm not worried about it," he said. "I think I'm playing some good ball. I can play a lot better than what I am. But it's eventually going to come like I want it to."

The Steelers have been pretty one-dimensional in the first three games, relying primarily on their passing game. They could stick to that same script against the Vikings' 28th-ranked pass defense. Of particular concern for the Vikings is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's ability to keep plays alive with his feet.

Roethlisberger uses his strength to avoid sacks and buy time for his receivers to get open. That puts pressure on defensive backs because it forces them to stay in coverage longer.

"He's not a guy who is going to break out of the pocket and run," defensive end Jared Allen said. "But he's a guy who is really shifty in the pocket and very hard to get on the ground and then he makes the big play downfield. When you get to get a hand on him, you got to get him down. You might have to cover six, seven, eight seconds on a play. That's kind of where he presents himself."

"Interested in seeing what he can bring to the table because we've never really seen him in a game situation," Roethlisberger said.