Early Bird Breakdown Week 12 – Packers @ Steelers

Early Bird Breakdown Week 12 – Packers @ Steelers

Hello and welcome back to Early Bird Breakdown. It’s week twelve of the regular season. Before diving into the breakdown, let’s look back to last week’s game.

The Recap:

Last week the Packers hosted the Baltimore Ravens and it was not pretty. The Packers failed to score a single point and quarterback Brett Hundley threw three interceptions. The Ravens won easily 23-0.

The Breakdown:

Packers’ Offense vs Steelers’ Defense:

Things will not get easier this week for the Packers. The best defense Green Bay will have faced all season awaits them at home in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are the NFL’s fourth best total defense thanks to improved play by the veterans from last season and a solid rookie campaign from former Badger linebacker TJ Watt. Watt has said there is some extra motivation as he was hoping Green Bay would have drafted him but they elected instead to trade back and the following pick the Steelers took him.

It will not just be Watt coming for Hundley either. The Steelers are second in the NFL in sacks and against the banged up Packers offensive line Hundley will not have an easy time this weekend. Hundley will need more help from Jamaal Williams than he has gotten the last two weeks, with both games just over three yards per carry for the rookie running back.

Packers’ Defense vs Steelers’ Offense:

While Green Bay’s defense has played at a high level this season this is a tall order for the Packers defense in a game where the Green Bay offense is likely to once again struggle. The Steelers boast one of the best quarterback, wide receiver, and running back combos in  the league. With running back Le’Veon Bell (arguably the best overall running back in the NFL), wide receiver Antonio Brown (one of the two best wide receivers in the NFL), and future hall of fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the Steelers offense is formidable.

There is a crack in their armor though. Roethlisberger is having by his standards a pretty sub par year. With already 10 interceptions this season, he has a tendency to make errant passes. If the Packers front seven can force a few turnovers to give Hundley a short field, the Packers may have a small chance.

The Weather:

The weather will be chilly but fairly pleasant for this time of year, around 38 degrees with no wind or precipitation.

The Prediction:

The Packers offense looked atrocious last week at home and this week face a better defense and are on the road which is a bad combination. Not only that but offensively the Steelers have the weapons to beat the Packers defense. Roethlisberger may help the Packers with a turnover or two but ultimately their defense will prevent the Packers offense from getting close. Steelers win 24-13.