The long-awaited matchup between the Packers and their ex-quarterback Aaron Rodgers awaits this Sunday night. While the Packers are looking ahead to Pittsburgh, who is this Packers team?
The Packers sit atop the NFC North and NFC as a whole in rankings at the moment. Despite the standings, Green Bay has not looked like the dominant force they put on display earlier this season.
The NFC is a blood bath. There are seven teams in the NFC that have a 5-2 record. In comparison, the AFC only has three teams with five wins. Additionally, the NFC has just four teams with losing records while the AFC has eight.
The Packers have little breathing room, and despite the underwhelming wins, they still find themselves at the top for now. Entering week 8, this team still fails to have an identity.
The Packers – Cardinals matchup went down to the wire with the Packers defense managing to hold Jacoby Brissett and company to zero points on the final drive. A touchdown would have won the game. The defense showed up at the right time.
The Packers did finally manage to create a turnover last Sunday as Rashan Gary got to Brissett and forced a fumble. The offense was, once again, stale for the majority of the game.
The defense allowed their first points of the first quarter on the season, allowing a field goal, but flipped their trend of struggling in the fourth quarter and only gave up three points.
Inconsistent and undisciplined. Those are the words to describe this current Packers team. It depends on the week as to which unit decides to have a well put together game.
Undisciplined? Well, Green Bay committed 10 penalties for 94 yards in Arizona last week. Head coach Matt LaFleur stated, “The penalties are a real problem.”
One thing remains true, as of now, this Packers team still manages to find a way to win. Micah Parsons having three sacks against the Cardinals certainly helped, thank you Jerry. But are these inconsistent performances enough for Green Bay to land a playoff spot and compete?
The performances are still raising concerns that this team doesn’t have what it takes. Players continuously address the inconsistencies week after week with the media, but things have yet to change.
So, going into Pittsburgh there is a lot of anticipation. The Packers are facing their former face of the franchise, who is still playing serviceable football.
While former Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers already mentioned that this game was not a “revenge” type of game and talked very highly of his time as a Packer, you can still expect him to put on a show.
Will this be the week the Packers put it all together and finally look like a competent contender? To be decided.
Injury Updates
It seems as if the Packers may be getting back wide receiver Christian Watson this week as he is listed as questionable. Defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt may also be back in the pass rush this week as he is also listed as questionable.
Other questionable designations include WR Matthew Golden, DL Warren Brinson, and K Brandon McManus. DL Lukas Van Ness and WR Dontayvion Wicks have been ruled out.
Prediction
The Packers will face a Pittsburgh team that just lost to Joe Flacco and the Bengals. I think Green Bay has every asset to win, but if they don’t play a half decent game, I think they fall short.
Given that it is hard not to pick the good guys, I’ll take Green Bay in a close victory over the Aaron Rodgers led Steelers.
Green Bay 31 – Pittsburgh 27
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