A couple weeks ago, ESPN Wisconsin's Jason Wilde speculated whether Rodgers' injury was more like Charles Woodson's collarbone which took 10 to 14 weeks to recover and the Packers are being more coy with Rodgers injury to throw off the scent of the opponent. Or the doctors believe injury will be almost a guarantee if he falls on it again. If Rodgers gets hurt again and there is doubt he might not be ready to start the 2014 NFL season. It is not the Packers quarterback's decision to make honestly, it is a joint discussion that stars with the doctors and how Rodgers feels is the last opinion this organization listens to honestly no matter how much power we perceive #12 has in Green Bay. While Dr. Pat McKenzie is catching a ton of heat right now, imagine what his life would be like if Rodgers got hurt again this season? It would be the same shit just a different narrative with this fanbase. Drew Magary of Deadspin compared Packers' fans to St. Louis Cardinals fans and I cannot make a defense for this one. We as a fanbase as just as bad right now. People are acting like a bunch of doctors with professional degrees when the only thing they do is watch the game from their couches. It is time to let things play out and just watch the games to finish the year.
As for the game, Green Bay needs to start out strong. In the last two games, Green Bay had a dominating first drive against Atlanta then had two critical turnovers leading to the Falcons taking the lead at halftime plus Green Bay's offense stalled after their 19-play drive. We all know about what happened against Dallas in the first half of that game. With the wind being projected to be blowing around 20 miles per hour, I expect Packers to defer yet I would love to see them get the ball first to have an establishing drive with Eddie Lacy. He figures to have a big day against the Steelers defense plus with the terrible weather conditions, it is day for Lacy to go hog wild against an average opponent.
Looking at Pittsburgh stats for their defense, they are near the bottom third when it comes to stopping the rush and they are actually a top ten team in stopping the pass in terms of yardage. Although they only have eight interceptions and 22 sacks for the season which are both near the complete bottom of the barrel for defensive statistics. One of the biggest problems with the Flynn-era Packers have been turnovers, and it does not seem like Pittsburgh is one of those teams who can force Flynn into his one bad pass that he has been known for in the last month.
The two worries from Pittsburgh besides Big Ben is Le'Von Bell and Antonio Brown. If this team were a playoff team, they would be called the Killer B's without question. Brown is one of two receivers with at least five catches in every game this season. Sam Shields will have his hands full with Brown as well as Tramon Williams. He does a lot of quick routes meaning I would not be surprised to see them go to more of a bump-and-run style playing up because Shields is one of the few corners that Brown cannot burn deep. Bell like Lacy should get a lot of carries in this one. Dallas and Atlanta mashed through this defense on the ground and now with Green Bay missing Johnny Jolly, the expectation would be for Bell to have a massive day on Sunday.
The prediction is needed and I believe Flynn can do it again playing Pittsburgh. Since their 0-4 start, Pittsburgh has been 6-4 playing much better football. Steelers could be out of the playoffs by the time of this game which could take the wind of their sail a bit. I made mention of this last week, but Green Bay knows how to win without Rodgers. They know how to comeback from 20 points without Rodgers. Does this not feel like the culmination of this team coming together and dominating a football game? I think the Packers win this football game, and it will a truly impressive win that will have many people talking on Monday.
Green Bay 31 Pittsburgh 23
Charlie.
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