(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
I never thought I'd be saying this, but here we are – it's Aaron Rodgers week. Yes, Sunday night's game against the Steelers is about much more than just facing Rodgers, but let's be real, that's all anyone is going to talk about regarding this game.
I won't blame anyone for approaching this game as Jordan Love versus Aaron Rodgers, even though we all know football comes down to so much more than just quarterback play. Both teams have defenses playing mostly at a high level, with each side possessing a truly elite edge rusher and some questionable secondaries.
The Packers allowed Jacoby Brissett to do almost anything he wanted on Sunday, and the Steelers' defense just made Joe Flacco look like Joe Montana. I think we could see a ton of points in what should be a very fun game.
Nearly every story about this game will be about the revenge narrative for Rodgers, but unlike Brett Favre, Rodgers hasn't really said a negative word about the Packers since leaving. I have no doubt that he desperately wants to win this game, but it isn't going to be nearly as hate-filled as those matchups against Favre on the Vikings.
So, instead of doing what everyone else will do and just focus on the quarterbacks, I'm going to highlight three other areas the Packers must have success in if they want to leave Pittsburgh at 5-1-1.
Get Josh Jacobs going early
Can we take a moment to appreciate what Josh Jacobs has done over the past three weeks? Both on the ground and through the air, Jacobs has been unstoppable, racking up 234 rushing yards, 131 receiving yards, and six rushing touchdowns (two in each game). Over the past 20 years, only LaDainian Tomlinson has had a longer streak of games with two or more rushing touchdowns.
With T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cameron Heyward on the other side, the Packers need to get them to respect the run early, or we could see Love running for his life all night. Outside of a wild Week 1 shootout win over the Jets, the Steelers have lost every game this year in which they did not record at least three sacks. In their three wins outside of Week 1, they have a combined 17 sacks. When Watt and friends are cooking, the Steelers are an incredibly dangerous team.
Getting Jacobs going early in this game will force the Steelers' front seven to slow down their pass rush and worry more about the run while also setting up advantageous play-action opportunities later in the game.
The Packers can't allow this game to turn into an ego match of Love versus Rodgers. Play your game like you always do, which is to set up the pass with the run. I know many fans want to see Love air it out more, and in general, I am in agreement on that, but not against this pass rush. It's simple, you can't sack the quarterback if he isn't throwing the ball.
Limit the Steelers' tight ends
You would think I'd mostly be concerned about DK Metcalf when it came to the Steelers' passing game, and I am concerned, but the Packers have been so bad against tight ends that I think that's where we have to start.
Last week, we saw Rodgers throw four touchdowns to tight ends alone. Between Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, and Darnell Washington, the Steelers have the deepest and most diverse tight end group in the NFL.
Through six games, the Packers have allowed 46 receptions, 357 yards, and five touchdowns to tight ends. That is awful. If they can't solve that issue this week, Metcalf will be the least of their problems.
I'd have Keisean Nixon or Carrington Valentine on Metcalf with safety help over the top on nearly every play while the rest of the defense focuses on the tight ends. If Roman Wilson and Scottie Miller are the reason you lose this game, then it clearly wasn't in the cards for you. Do everything you can to take away the strength of your opposing team and force them to go to secondary options.
It's obviously easier said than done, but it's incredibly important that the Packers' linebackers and safeties actually keep track of the tight ends, unlike what we saw last week against Trey McBride. On both of McBride's touchdowns, he was essentially left wide open due to lapses in coverage. I love what Quay Walker has been doing in the run game and as a pass rusher this year, but he simply cannot cover anyone over the middle. Don't ask him to do it. Just don't. Your best shot is to dedicate Edgerrin Cooper and your safeties to the tight ends and let Quay come on blitzes or simply not be on the field in obvious passing situations.
Pressure Rodgers
This can apply to almost any opponent, but I think even more so against a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers. Through six games, Rodgers has mostly looked fantastic except for when he is pressured. With no pressure, Rodgers is averaging 0.39 EPA per play. With pressure, his EPA drops to -0.17. That is a drastic 0.56 EPA per play difference.
Packers fans know better than anyone that if you allow Rodgers to stand in the pocket and pick apart your defense, you will be in for a long day. Micah Parsons and co. must play like they did in Arizona and get after the quarterback early and often if they want any shot at limiting the Steelers offense.
Oddly enough, Rodgers' EPA per play actually rises when he's blitzed as opposed to when he only sees a four-man rush. That's why it will be specifically critical for Parsons, Rashan Gary, and the rest of the defensive line to have success against a pretty shaky Steelers offensive line. If Jeff Hafley is forced to call blitzes all night to get pressure, we could see Rodgers take advantage of those empty spots in coverage due to the blitz.
The Steelers tackle duo of Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu have allowed a combined 24 pressures and four sacks this season. I'm looking for another huge performance out of Parsons and Gary.