Week 4 Recap: Packers vs Steelers

Photo cred: USA Today

Coming into last Sunday, the Packers had a big game, as it was a rematch of Super Bowl XLV, Green Bay Packers vs Pittsburgh Steelers. Super Bowl XLV was also the last Super Bowl appearance for the Green and Gold, as they won in a thrilling victory 31-25. But let's forward back to this season. I am going to send it over to my buddy Noah, the football expert, for his take on last Sunday’s game.

“The Packers are looking like a super bowl team after last week's performance against the Steelers. This was a game that for only the second time in his career, Aaron Rodgers played ‘Big Ben’ Roethlisberger the regular season. Some of the things to look at from this big win would be that the Packer's offense is starting to find their rhythm again from last year's run in 2020. The only issue is Rodgers has not been great to start the season he has been producing some decent numbers but not the 2020 MVP type numbers from a season ago. He needs to start playing better football and being smart with the ball. One thing that made the offense work so well was how Packers Head Coach, Matt Lafleur was finding a way to utilize AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones both equally on Sunday, with Dillon being the lead back for most of the game. This is what AJ Dillon was drafted for, to come into a game where the weather is bad and it is a big third down, or a big fourth down, or it is late in the game and you need a play AJ Dillon is their guy. I hope that the Packers will find ways to utilize him in the running game more and take the pressure off of Aaron Jones’ shoulders. What has surprised me is the Packers defense is coming alive and making plays. A few weeks ago, I talked about if the Packers defense can get it going or if it's the same old story. After the last three games I feel pretty confident about the defense the Packers have and the guy who has been a big boost has been rookie cornerback Eric Stokes. Stokes as of right now is a far better upgrade than Kevin King and every week is proving why he should be lined up across from Jaire Alexander. When he is in, the Packers have a lot more time to get to the quarterback and create turnovers, which is something that this defense feeds on. Going back from week one, I thought this Packers team was going to struggle and have a rough season, however, that has not been the case after three games. If they continue this play all the way into the end of the season there is no telling what this team could accomplish.”

I SECOND THAT NOAH! The Packers do not always look like the sharpest team, but they still manage to find ways to get the job done. As the game started, however, despite the slow start for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as they came in with a record of 1-2, the Black and Gold always come into play as a real threat. I mean they even won eleven straight games last season. The game started with the Steelers scoring a touchdown right out of the gate, as Ben Roethlisberger threw a deep pass down the field, for 45 yards, connecting with Diontae Johnson. That seemed to be a small setback for the Packers as they were quickly down 7-0. To not many people’s surprise, the Packers had a slow start to the game as the first quarter ended with them down by seven.

Although, as the second quarter began the Packers would get their engines running. They quickly came back and scored instantly to begin the next quarter. Many thanks to AJ Dillon who carried the team on that drive, helping the Packers offense catch a spark that boosted them for the rest of the game. Once the Packers offense made it all the way down to the 4-yard line on second and goal, Aaron Rodgers found an open lane and ran it in himself for six, with Mason Crosby tying it up right after at 7-7. Once Rodgers and crew tied it up, the defense was extra motivated. On their next time on the field, they forced a sack and fumble with Kenny Clark on the recovery. Packers had great field position at the Steelers’ 35-yard line to start their next drive.

How did the Packers follow that up their next time on offense you may ask? Well with another touchdown, of course! This time the Packers’ offense took care of business immediately. Aaron Jones got in on the fun this time as he contributed in a couple plays getting the Green and Gold to the 23-yard line. After that Rodgers threw to his buddy, Randall Cobb as they connected for another touchdown, eventually leading to 14-7 Green Bay lead.

The Steelers got the ball back and drove the ball downfield looking to keep up with Packers. However, the Packers defense only held them to a field goal this time, making the score 14-10. The Packers got the ball back once more before halftime. They did not catch enough of a spark this time to score another touchdown, however, Mason Crosby had the mindset of “anything you can do, I can do better,” by kicking a field goal, putting the Packers up by 7 points at the half, with the score of 17-10 Packers.

Guess what! That was exactly how the Packers started the second half as well! Crosby was clutch! The score then became 20-10 Green Bay and they were looking to pull away more. The Steelers finally got the ball to start the second half, but the Packer defense once again put a stop to it. How did the Packers offense respond? Another touchdown! This time Rodgers mixed it up going to Adams, Dillon, and back to Cobb for six more. After another Crosby extra point, the score was 27-10 Green Bay.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter, the Steelers were down to their last couple of drives. The Steelers converted on one of them, after looking silent for a while, as Najee Harris scored a touchdown, eventually making the score 27-17. The Steelers were in crunch time on next offensive drive, as they tried to attempt a comeback, however, Eric Stokes came in for the interception giving the Packers the ball back.

Rodgers and crew went into victory formation and the Packers went on to bang on the drum for the rest of the day!

Final score: Packers- 27, Steelers- 17