ClutchPoints
Every great NFL season has its share of storylines that feel bigger than football. This week, that spotlight falls squarely on Aaron Rodgers. For nearly two decades, he was the face of the Green Bay Packers franchise. Rodgers was known as the master of the frozen tundra and the author of countless unforgettable Sundays. This time, though, Rodgers stands on the opposite sideline. On Sunday Night Football in Week 8, he leads the Pittsburgh Steelers into battle against the Green Bay Packers, the team he once defined.
It’s a clash loaded with subtext. It’s not really about bitterness, but rather about history. Rodgers insists he has ‘no animosity’ toward his old team. Of course, the competitive fire that made him great will surely burn brighter than usual under the lights at Acrisure Stadium. The Packers (4-1-1) come in riding momentum after a narrow 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Steelers (4-2) are licking their wounds from a 33-31 loss to Cincinnati. With Green Bay entering as a 3.5-point favorite according to some experts, this isn’t just another primetime game. It’s a measuring stick for both franchises’ new eras.
Here we’ll try to look at and discuss the Green Bay Packers most to blame for their Week 7 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers.
Pittsburgh’s defensive pedigree is littered with big names, massive salaries, and the fearsome front seven. However, the secondary remains its Achilles’ heel. Through six games, the Steelers rank near the bottom of the NFL in passing yards allowed and have struggled mightily against tight ends in particular. That’s where the Packers’ opportunity lies.
The biggest matchup the Packers must exploit in this Week 8 clash is their passing offense against the Steelers’ pass defense, specifically through tight end Tucker Kraft. The Steelers have been torched all season by opposing tight ends. They have gived up chunk plays and red-zone scores at an alarming rate. Their coverage schemes have been static, and linebackers Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, and Patrick Queen, while athletic, have had difficulty reading route combinations in play-action looks.
Kraft, meanwhile, has been quietly reliable. He is a safety blanket for Jordan Love, who’s thrown 10 touchdowns and only three turnovers through six games. Against Arizona, Kraft was pivotal. He hauled in a crucial touchdown early in the fourth quarter and later converted a gutsy fourth-and-2 that set up the game-winner. He doesn’t post gaudy numbers. Still, his timing, toughness, and chemistry with Love have made him a stabilizing force in Green Bay’s balanced attack.
The formula for Green Bay is straightforward. That said, execution will be everything. The Packers’ ground game, anchored by Josh Jacobs, must command respect early. That’s the key to neutralizing Pittsburgh’s TJ Watt and Nick Herbig. That pair ha combined for 8.5 sacks and thrive on collapsing...
