GB is 30th, PIT is 31st
avg yards gained on opening drives:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 6, 2023
65.1 - Philadelphia Eagles
57.1 - San Francisco 49ers
55.8 - Denver Broncos
52.6 - Cincinnati Bengals
49.2 - Miami Dolphins
47.9 - Los Angeles Rams
47.3 - Los Angeles Chargers
45.1 - Baltimore Ravens
40.9 - Seattle Seahawks
37.6 - Las Vegas…
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5-3 v. 3-5
And you thought that smell was just the city of Pittsburgh...
The Sons of the Monongahela will be watching this game with an extra large cup of macho!
JSO interviewed their Steelers reporter. Some snips:
Aaron Jones is fully healthy again, so the Packers likely will focus on the run game. But how good are T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward against the run? Is there a counteract to this Steelers defensive front?
Pittsburgh is all about stopping the run traditionally, but that’s been easier said than done in recent years. The Steelers are allowing 133.1 rushing yards per game, though a major factor in that was facing Christian McCaffrey and Nick Chubb the first two weeks. They also now must deal with a season-ending injury to inside linebacker Cole Holcomb. Veterans Kwon Alexander and Elandon Roberts should be up to the challenge, but it’s Holcomb who leads them with 36 tackles against the run. Do-it-all safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is second with 29 and he’s likely to miss a second consecutive game with a hamstring injury. Perimeter runs have been their biggest issue, and while 32nd overall draft pick Joey Porter Jr. has ascended to a starting role at cornerback, the rookie has to shore up his tackling.
The Packers secondary is young and unproven, with only Jaire Alexander to anchor them. Have you seen enough from Kenny Pickett to believe he’ll know where to pick on the defense?
Kenny Pickett has mostly been erratic and underwhelming in the first three quarters of games, but always seems to turn it on late — and I’m pretty sure he’s better than Brett Rypien. With his study habits and football IQ, there’s no doubt he’ll know how to attack the Packers secondary. The physical execution just hasn’t always been there. He’s also in a tough spot at the moment trying to spread the ball around. Diontae Johnson’s making No. 1 money, but second-year wideout George Pickens tends to sulk when he doesn’t get his touches. Will they scheme open Pickens to keep him happy or try to force-feed him even if Jaire Alexander is in his hip pocket all day? That’s a matchup to watch. Johnson or Pickens should have a mismatch on the corner opposite Alexander.
2nd half #Packers remain in full effect
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 7, 2023
3rd EPA/play
4th success rate
2nd in EPA/dropback
4th in dropback success rate
There is the running of the sausages at Miller Park. The running of the bulls in Pamplona. The running of the noses in flu season. And the running of the table in Packer land. 20-13 Pack.
The #Steelers are 31st in PFF Pass Block grade and by season's end the #Packers play the 3 teams currently graded as the worst in the NFL.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 8, 2023
Big reason Pittsburgh's offense is inconsistent is ... they can't block.
Another Packer win with pressure from Bury's defense??? 🤷♂️
The Steelers are beatable, but they won't be beaten with sloppy play and turnovers. If GB can play a clean, competent game they will be within striking distance of a win. This is a big test for the entire Packer offense. If you can force Pickett into a couple turnovers, all the better. My guess is Tomlin will try to crank up the running game and dare GB to stop it. Success in the run game will determine which team sets the tempo and it might benefit GB on the road to significantly win time of possession. The Pack needs to bring some level of physicality with them for this matchup.
Kenny Clark and Christian Watson practicing today after dropping out of Sunday’s win with injuries.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) November 8, 2023
Quay Walker (groin), Jaire Alexander (back), Yosh Nijman and Jon Runyan are not practicing.
Jordan Love to Christian Watson. pic.twitter.com/yT91yW2h78
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) November 8, 2023
Rudy Ford returned to practice today. If he plays Sunday, it’ll be interesting to see if #Packers start Jonathan Owens or Anthony Johnson Jr. against the Steelers.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) November 8, 2023
@H5 posted:
GB is 30th, PIT is 31st
avg yards gained on opening drives:
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 6, 202L
65.1 - Philadelphia Eagles
57.1 - San Francisco 49ers
55.8 - Denver Broncos
52.6 - Cincinnati Bengals
49.2 - Miami Dolphins
47.9 - Los Angeles Rams
47.3 - Los Angeles Chargers
45.1 - Baltimore Ravens
40.9 - Seattle Seahawks
37.6 - Las Vegas…
LOL Jets. Awful OL, few weapons; AR wanted it and he got it and good.
Not really. He's enjoying all this from the comfort of his cast.
Jets will have another offseason to fix the OL. Probably spend the RD01 pick we were supposed to get, on an OL. Probably benefits him to be out this year so he can have a stronger team around him next year.
this from a Packer fan who was at the game…..(Autumne Besaw Gee, member of Die hard Packer fan group)
So....I was at the game yesterday and had a blast, however, I noticed something upon rewatching the big plays in slow mo, and the full game on the NFL Network. I stand semi-corrected on Watson. I have been questioning why Watson appeared to regress from his big plays from the end of last year. What I noticed upon further examination was that Watson is a beast at blocking, distracting and decoying. I think at 6'4" he's being utilized is a variety of smart ways. His clutch catch yesterday was amazing! It was "his" ball and awesome to see him ball out that way, too!!
Shitsburgh is smoke-and-mirrors. There is no way they should be 5-3; they have a -30 point differential, for heaven's sake!
2022 Vikings, anyone?
But, remarkably, Pittsburgh is worse statistically than the Packers on offense and defense! Per Pro Football Reference :
31st overall offense/25th pass/28th rush/30th scoring.
I see that as an offense that can't pass, can't run, and can't drive for scoring opportunities.
25th overall defense/19th pass/25th rush/12th scoring.
I see that as a team that is average vs the pass, can't stop the run, but they are likely tough in the red zone.
The Steelers are easily beatable, but as others have commented, the Packers will need to play much more efficiently than they have so far.
I hope we attack with a 3-headed monster at RB, early and often, to the point of 30+ attempts. If it's working, go for 40.
Pass pro will be critical, obviously, and I'm not sure they have an answer. If Nijman can't play, the obvious starter will be Wallace...and that makes me shudder. Trying to use our TEs to block Watt produces the same affect.
Might as well play a 6th lineman if that's the case.
The #Packers have one of the worst blitz packages in the NFL.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 8, 2023
They're 27th in EPA/play when they send 5+ rushers.
But they're 11th in EPA/play when they rush four. 5th in sack rate.
I'm dropping 7 vs. Kenny Pickett and forcing him to make accurate throws/good decisions.
@Boris posted:The #Packers have one of the worst blitz packages in the NFL.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 8, 2023
They're 27th in EPA/play when they send 5+ rushers.
But they're 11th in EPA/play when they rush four. 5th in sack rate.
I'm dropping 7 vs. Kenny Pickett and forcing him to make accurate throws/good decisions.
Send 10! Ala Glanville!
@Goldie posted:this from a Packer fan who was at the game…..(Autumne Besaw Gee, member of Die hard Packer fan group)
So....I was at the game yesterday and had a blast, however, I noticed something upon rewatching the big plays in slow mo, and the full game on the NFL Network. I stand semi-corrected on Watson. I have been questioning why Watson appeared to regress from his big plays from the end of last year. What I noticed upon further examination was that Watson is a beast at blocking, distracting and decoying. I think at 6'4" he's being utilized is a variety of smart ways. His clutch catch yesterday was amazing! It was "his" ball and awesome to see him ball out that way, too!!
Watson made a great block, to allow Jones into the end zone.
Jaire Alexander and Quay Walker again not practicing.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) November 9, 2023
Yosh Nijman and Jon Runyan Jr. are back at practice after yesterday’s DNPs.
Cam Heyward, Elandon Roberts, Montravius Adams and Minkah Fitzpatrick all did not practice.
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) November 9, 2023
Interesting that Cam went from limited to DNP. Tough to tell if they’re resting him or he had a setback. pic.twitter.com/YHZtN4oDhu
At this point like any fucking injury matters? Unless a QB the caliber of Brett Rypien is lining up, the Packers aren't winning many more games.
Yosh is fighting through his injuries like a pro.
"Steel Men vs Sole Stealer"
@packerboi posted:Jordan Love to Christian Watson. pic.twitter.com/yT91yW2h78
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) November 8, 2023
Joe Barry vs. Matt Canada
I can't wait to watch this shit show 😁
@Boris posted:The #Steelers are 31st in PFF Pass Block grade and by season's end the #Packers play the 3 teams currently graded as the worst in the NFL.
— Peter Bukowski (@Peter_Bukowski) November 8, 2023
Big reason Pittsburgh's offense is inconsistent is ... they can't block.Another Packer win with pressure from Bury's defense??? 🤷♂️
Pressure from Dingle Berry? If there is something I think we have learned is that he will have them flying all of the field one week with nice pressure and the next? Soft ass zone and let the other team have long drives. Let's hope he dials it up again this week but I am not sure how much faith I have.
@The Heckler posted:Let's hope he dials it up again this week but I am not sure how much faith I have.
I'm not sure what to think of our greenhorn secondary mostly shutting down Puca Nacua, Cooper Kupp and the other guy. Other than Rypien being that bad. If it's that simple then expect Pickett to get a lot done with Pickens, even with a pick thrown in there.
