Not since 1970 have the Packers beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Both teams are coming off wins and finding their footing. On both sides of the ball, there are keys to the Packers snapping their streak against the Steelers.
How the Packers Can End Their Streak
Stuff the run
The Steelers offense has yet to produce a 100-yard rusher through eight games. Najee Harris, the team’s bellcow back, has been largely ineffective. Since being drafted, Harris has failed to finish a season averaging more than four yards per carry and is on pace to do the same this season. After investing in the offensive line in both the draft and free agency, Pittsburgh expected to see an uptick in production from Harris and its backs. But with a lack of creativity, coordinator Matt Canada has struggled to coax anything explosive out of his offense.
Last week against the Tennessee Titans, Canada was roaming the sideline for a change and also added rookie Broderick Thomas into the lineup at offensive tackle. The result was a 166-yard rushing performance by the offense, most of which came from Jaylen Warren. Both Warren and Harris ripped off gains of 20+ yards against Tennessee after Warren had failed to do so all season. Relying more on Warren will likely be a focus against Green Bay.
Establishing the run is one of the biggest keys to the Packers snapping their streak.
Key in on Diontae Johnson
After failing to find the end zone for nearly two full years, Diontae Johnson scored a touchdown against the Titans in Week 9. The spark Johnson has provided to the Steelers offense is noticeable. When healthy, he has been productive for Pittsburgh and gives the offense a player who can move the chains. After trading Rasul Douglas, the Packers are relying on young players to keep their secondary afloat. The Steelers have a handful of receiving weapons, and with the offense coming off a strong performance against the Titans, they should be feeling confident.
Johnson has eclipsed 75 yards in all but one game he has played, and has received six or more targets in all four contests. As a threat to stretch the field, Johnson could pose a problem for a Packers safety group that still has questions. Teams have not yet tested the Packers on deep throws, so Pittsburgh could find success exploiting this matchup. Snapping their streak against the Steelers starts with keying in on Johnson.
Packers Must Protect Jordan Love
Despite being outgained in all eight of their games, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 5-3. Their defense, for the most part, has been the reason for their success. With two star edge rushers and a rotation of solid interior linemen, the Steelers have been especially good at stopping the run.
So far, they rank as the eighth-best defense against the run. While Green Bay’s run game is not a strength of the offense, it is a vital part of what they do. More than 27% of Jordan Love’s yards through the air have come off play action, which indicates how important establishing the run is. A poor showing on the ground could quickly put the Packers at a disadvantage against the Steelers.
If the Steelers can build a lead early, the Packers will have to rely on Love to spark the offense. Through eight games, the Packers have lived and died by their second-half performances. Doing so against Pittsburg could mean opportunities for T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith to create pressure. Through eight games, the duo have combined for 14 sacks (per ESPN stats). They could make the difference in this contest, especially if the Packers have another slow start.
For the Packers, it comes down to protecting Love. Teams have had success blitzing Love, who has been blitzed 77 times this season and sacked 18 times (per pro-football-reference). But, Love has also been efficient on scrambles, averaging more than 10 yards per scramble. His ability to climb the pocket and escape pressure has been one of the few positives so far, even if the sacks have come at bad times. A clean pocket should equate to opportunities for the offense.
One of the keys to snapping this streak against the Steelers comes down to protecting Love.
Green Bay Should Not Target Joey Porter Jr.
The rookie standout for Pittsburgh has been better than advertised through eight games. Per The Athletic, Porter has only allowed a reception on 28.9% of targets thrown his way. He also excels when the ball is thrown his way, having forced seven pass breakups thus far. Without a true alpha wide receiver, the Packers are likely to mix up their looks against Porter and try to find more favorable matchups in the secondary.
Porter’s counterpart, Patrick Peterson, meanwhile, has been not as strong in coverage. Quarterbacks have feasted on Peterson, with their average yards per completion being 14.2, the highest of his career (per pro-football-reference). Also, Peterson has surrendered four touchdowns while in coverage. The aging veteran could be a target for Love and the Packers, especially on play-action shots that are deeper downfield. This could spell success for the speedster, Christian Watson.
Taking advantage of matchups in the secondary will also be one of the biggest keys to the Packers snapping their streak.
Main Image: William Glasheen / USA TODAY NETWORK
