4th and Goal: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Green Bay Packers
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Today, we are taking a deep dive into the Week 4 matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers.
Who comes out on top? Who are the players that will jump out as the game unfolds? Who on your fantasy team should you start or sit? Which prop bets should you consider? I answer all those questions and more, exclusively in this analysis piece. Without further ado, let’s peel back layers of the onion to get to the core, Here We Go!
Steelers/Bengals injury report
UPDATE: WR Chase Claypool has been officially ruled OUT for today’s matchup.
Steelers have the EDGE
After playing without EDGE starters--OLB T.J. Watt and OLB Alex Highsmith last week, both return to action to face the Packers high-powered offense. A team that generated only 1 QB pressure in my grading system Week 3, it was imperative to get not only Watt but Highsmith back into the lineup.
I think it’s safe to say that Watt was worth every penny when he signed that lucrative contract. Now can he stay on the field while dealing with a soft tissue injury that will surely linger throughout the rest of the 2021 season? Time will tell.
However, the combination of Watt and Highsmith should help ease the blow of facing the reigning 2021 NFL MVP--QB Aaron Rodgers.
The NFL is a game of matchups and with the Packers already missing Pro Bowl OT/OG Elgton Jenkins and All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari while losing OC Corey Linsley to the Los Angeles Chargers--this new look Packers offensive line isn’t as strong coming into the week.
Look for Watt and Highsmith to set the hard EDGE while picking up at least 2.0 sacks and 4-5 QB hits/pressures as they tackle a seek-and-destroy type of attitude.
NT Isaiah Buggs and DE Isaiahh Loudermilk
If you read my previous depth piece on NT Isaiah Buggs you would know time and time again that third-year NT Isaiah Buggs is nothing more than a backup depth piece. Not a knock on him as I’m a huge Roll Tide fan but it is what it is.
You can catch that depth piece below:
As for Loudermilk, he is far worse even for a rookie. In Week 3 vs the Bengals Loudermilk was seen being pulled in the game late, my grading system paints the story:
3 missed run-fit assignments | Worst on team
Still, I have Loudermilk can bounce back and learn those rookie mental errors. But then again, when you get pushed back 3-5 yards behind the LOS when your job is being asked to anchor the spot not being pulled off your grass--that comes down to leverage and fundamentals.
How Loudermilk fares along with DE Henry Mondeaux will be something to watch moving forward, but again not getting my hopes up.
Steelers OL is arguably the worst in NFL
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert knew going into the season that tough times lied ahead of the 2021 season. The offensive line would be younger, cheaper, and inexperienced. Fast forward to today and the Steelers offensive line is arguably the worst unit in the NFL.
Rookies LT Dan Moore Jr. and OC Kendrick Green have disappointed even for rookies while second-year OG Kevin Dotson has not lived up to the promise he showed last year.
The team will be playing without RT Chukwuma Okorafor today. Good luck. The bad news continues.
If you’re looking for an optimistic viewpoint, you won’t find it here. I always keep it 100 and Steelers simply suck right now down in the trenches. Prove me wrong.
I can’t see them controlling NT Kenny Clark and co.
Don’t blame BIG BEN
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is getting heat but for all the wrong reasons. Anyone who knows football understands that everything starts upfront. Let’s put you behind center and see how successful you are with this horrible offensive line.
I hate to say it but things won’t change this year. The offensive line is not good and Roethlisberger will continue to struggle against CB Jaire Alexander and FS Darnell Savage on the Packers backend.
Bottom Line
over/under | 45
-6 Packers
This game should be a defensive struggle early on. In a game where two teams are evenly matched, when it comes to the Packers offense vs Steelers defense, I believe the Packers come out on top, as it’s hard to go against them losing at home. Packers win 23-16.
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