Green Bay Packers v. Pittsburgh Steelers: Final Thoughts
By Paul Bretl
Before the Green Bay Packers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, here are some final thoughts on the upcoming matchup and what to watch for.
– After facing Nick Bosa last week, the Green Bay Packers offensive line will be up against TJ Watt this week. Watt missed Week 3 but has still logged eight pressures, three sacks, and two forced fumbles in just over a game of action, according to PFF ($$).
– In addition to Watt, keep your eyes on Alex Highsmith and Melvin Ingram, two other edge rushers who can wreak some havoc.
So yeah, it’s going to be another tough test for the young Green Bay Packers offensive line.
– Given the Steelers pass rush, I won’t be surprised if we see the Green Bay Packers offense take an approach similar to what they did against the 49ers with chips on Watt to help Nijman, quick passes from Rodgers, and plenty of rushing attempts.
– That’s the other thing, I feel like I mention this weekly, but run the ball. Jones and Dillon should be in the 25 carry range.
– This Pittsburgh OL ranks 27th in pass block win rate, according to ESPN, and the Steelers are averaging only 3.2 yards per rush—the worst in football. It should be another good week for the Green Bay Packers defensive front.
– The Steelers will be without Chase Claypool, who leads the team in targets, as well as Chukwuma Okorafor, a starting offensive tackle.
– Expect a heavy dose of RB Najee Harris in the passing game. He had 19 targets in Week 3 alone.
– This is a Steelers offense that is averaging only 16.7 points per game. Despite having some weapons in Harris, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Diontae Johnson, they’ve struggled to put up points.
– Ben Roethlisberger’s poor play from the end of the 2020 season has carried over to 2021. His passer rating is the sixth-worst in football and he does not look like the quarterback we’ve seen in previous years.
– It’s not only MVS’ big-play ability that will be missed but also his blocking ability along with what he is able to create for his teammates with his speed.
– With MVS out, does this mean more opportunities for Lazard and Cobb?
– In the red zone, the Pittsburgh offense has been one of the worst at finding the end zone, while their defense has been one of the best at keeping opposing teams out.
– I would still categorize the Packers run game these last two weeks as effective but they haven’t been able to find those big plays either. This week that will be difficult to accomplish once again as they face a Steelers team that is allowing only 88.3 rush yards per game.
– Kevin King is doubtful, which means we will once again see a lot more of Eric Stokes, who enters the game having allowed just three completions on 10 targets with three pass breakups.
– There have been some rumblings on the internet that after last week’s big win, this could be a letdown game for the Packers. I actually see it as the opposite and that last week’s win will propel them forward in the coming weeks.
– The Steelers secondary is allowing 260 pass yards per game, which ranks 20th in the NFL.
– It could be a rainy day at Lambeau Field, something worth keeping our eyes on.
– With Tyler Lancaster on the reserve/COVID list, we may see more TJ Slaton as well.
– It may be hard to believe, but the Green Bay Packers have been a reliable tackling team this season, but that will be tested with Harris in space. They’ll need all 11 swarming to the ball carrier. De’Vondre Campbell is also going to play an important role this week with how heavily Harris is utilized.
– The Pittsburgh defense is allowing almost 12 yards per catch to tight ends this season, the eighth-most in football. Perhaps today will be a big day for Robert Tonyan.