The Green Bay Packers are headed out east to see a familiar face this weekend.
Yes, Aaron Rodgers will be on the other sideline wearing black and gold when the Packers get set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend.
Rodgers is one of the greatest players in franchise history, and this will be billed as a revenge game.
Rodgers does not harbor the same ill will toward the organization that Brett Favre did when he was traded in 2008, but there is still a burning desire there to prove to Brian Gutekunst and the Packers that he can still play.
That’s natural. It’s human nature.
That’s one of our biggest keys this week as the Packers head to Pittsburgh. Here are our keys to the game.
1.) Heat Up Rodgers
The book on Rodgers used to be that you would blitz him at your own peril. His quick release and quick mind were both able to dissect blitzes and beat them with ease.
Add in his trademark mobility, and the former Packers’ quarterback was deadly when another team would bring extra pressure and play man coverage.
Rodgers’ mobility has waned as he has aged.
If Rodgers is under pressure, he’s not as able to escape as he once was.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line has struggled this year as well. Broderick Jones had a tough night on Thursday against the Bengals.
Green Bay’s pass rush has been getting pressure but not getting home.
Coming into Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, the Packers had 35 pressures in their previous two games but just two sacks.
They’ll need to get Rodgers on the ground.
2.) Find the Tight Ends
Rodgers had a lot of nice things when he was in Green Bay.
A consistent presence at tight end was not one of them.
Jermichael Finley was probably the best tight end that Rodgers played with, sprinkled around some career seasons from Robert Tonyan and Richard Rodgers.
Now, he has a couple of guys in Pittsburgh who are able to make some plays down the field.
Darnell Washington is a big man, who is capable of moving guys in the run game and winning contested catches.
Pat Freiermuth has done a lot during his time in Pittsburgh, and had a big touchdown last week against the Bengals.
Jonnu Smith was a late trade acquisition by the Steelers, and he has been a weapon for them as well.
That diversity within Pittsburgh’s offense can be difficult to navigate as they can pass out of running formations.
Green Bay’s linebackers will need to play better than they have been recently, especially in coverage.
3.) Turn Down for Watt?
Pittsburgh’s defense has a lot of talent on it. They’ve invested a lot on that side of the ball.
Alex Highsmith, Keannu Benton, Jalen Ramsey and Nick Herbig have all had nice moments in their careers.
There is no bigger game-wrecker on that side of the ball, however, than TJ Watt.
Watt has four sacks and one interception on the season, and the former Wisconsin Badger netted a hefty contract extension in the offseason.
He’s not just one of the best defensive players in this game but one of the best defensive players in all of football.
Zach Tom has returned for the last two games, and Rasheed Walker has played better of late. They’re going to need both of them to be at their best against Pittsburgh’s game-breaking pass rusher.
