After a rough start to the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have certainly been better as of recent when it comes to protecting Aaron Rodgers. However, offensive tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu may have their toughest test ahead of them on Sunday. Micah Parsons and the Green Bay Packers are coming to town, and former NFL WR Andrew Hawkins is expecting Parsons to have a huge game.
“Give me a hat trick-sack game for Micah Parsons,” Hawkins said Thursday on ESPN’s Get Up. “Their tackles, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are 61st and 68th in pass-block win rate. [Matt] LaFleur said Rodgers looks mobile for his age, but it ain’t gonna be mobile enough for Micah Parsons.”
Parsons is certainly in good form right now. He’s tied with Rashan Gary in the team lead for sacks, with 5.5 on the season. But three of those came in a stellar performance in Arizona last week. Hawkins is predicting Parsons to have his second-straight three-sack game Sunday night.
Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu had their struggles to begin the season. But they’ve been much better as of late. And there is reason for Steelers fans to have some confidence that the team could keep Micah Parsons quiet.
Just two weeks ago, the Steelers hosted Myles Garrett and the Browns. Arthur Smith had a great game plan, and the Steelers gave Jones, who was across from Garrett for most of the day, a lot of help That strategy was very successful. Garrett had just one tackle on the day, and didn’t so as much as breathe on Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers’ mobility is a big factor as well. Early in the season, he just didn’t look comfortable behind an offensive line he didn’t seem to trust. However, since then, he’s only been sacked twice over the last four. As a result, he looks much more comfortable, and moved around better last Thursday than we’ve seen from him in a long time.
Compared to those nightmare first two games, the Steelers’ pass protection is a night and day difference. Hawkins references some low stats for Jones and Fautanu, but both are playing with confidence right now. And the Steelers have proven they’re capable of shutting down a top edge rusher already this year. Micah Parsons probably will still make an impact, but Hawkins certainly is shooting for the moon here.
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