Green Bay Packers v. Steelers: 5 Big Questions Heading into Week 4
By Paul Bretl
What will we see from Ben Roethlisberger?
The Green Bay Packers haven’t played the Pittsburgh Steelers in a few years, but this is not the Ben Roethlisberger that we saw the last time these two teams met. Through three games he has three touchdown passes to three interceptions, his 6.2 yards per attempt are the 10th fewest in football, while his completion rate of 63.8 percent ranks 25th.
Roethlisberger also hasn’t been able to push the ball downfield with only three completions of 20+ yards this season, which is the third-fewest in football. His passer rating is also the sixth lowest among qualified quarterbacks.
Now, with that said, the offensive line struggles and Roethlisberger’s pass-catchers dropping a league-high 12 passes so far hasn’t exactly helped him, but it’s not as if he’s done himself a ton of favors either. The issues that we saw at the end of the 2020 season and into the playoffs don’t appear to be an anomaly.
How much of Najee Harris will the Green Bay Packers see in the passing game?
Last week, Steelers rookie running back Najee Harris was featured very heavily in the passing game, totaling a whopping 19 targets. He would go on to catch 14 of those passes for 102 yards.
With Pittsburgh struggling to run the ball and the need for Big Ben to rely on the quick passing game, we very well could see another heavy dose of Harris in the passing game once again as a way for the Steelers to get the ball into their playmaker’s hands.
To contain Harris, it will take the entire defense swarming to the ball and reliable tackling –something that we have seen from this Green Bay Packers defensive unit so far — but specifically, we will likely see a lot of De’Vondre Campbell who will be tasked with covering the middle of the field and the flats, right where Harris will likely make most of his receptions.
Unlike in years past where the pass-catching running back has given the Packers fits, it would appear that the defense has their answer in Campbell, who always seems to be around the football. Let’s see if he can continue with his high level of play.