Green Bay Packers
Loose Lacy
The Green Bay Packers will need a heavy dose of rookie running back Eddie Lacy on Sunday. The weather conditions may be snowy and wet, the Packers will either have backup quarterback Matt Flynn or a rusty Aaron Rodgers returning from a broken collarbone at the quarterback position, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have the 19th-ranked rushing defense. It all adds up to a perfect stage for Lacy to have a big day.
Play 60
The Packers have had furious comebacks the last two weeks to stay in the hunt for the NFC North title. While the wins have been exciting, the Packers are very lucky to be on a two-game winning streak. The comebacks show this team is capable of winning. If the Packers show that for a full 60 minutes, they might find themselves with a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter. Nothing would cheer a cold Lambeau Field crowd more than a competitive and productive first half from the Packers.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Play 60
The Steelers have had an issue with slow starts at times this season. That wasn’t a problem last week, though, as the Steelers scored 21 points in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers may be able to keep that fast-start streak going Sunday against the Packers, but they shouldn’t get comfortable if they do. Whatever the score in the first half, the Packers will come into the second half confident about a comeback after the last two weeks, including erasing a 23-point deficit against the Cowboys last week.
Spread It Around
The Steelers’ offense is at its best when quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is spreading the ball to a lot of different weapons. The Steelers have three solid receivers in Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery. Add in rookie running back Le’Veon Bell catching balls out of the backfield and it can be a tough task for any defense to handle.
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Must-See Matchup
Antonio Brown vs. Sam Shields
As Pittsburgh’s most dangerous weapon, Antonio Brown can expect to see a lot of Packers cornerback Sam Shields. Brown’s speedy evasiveness has helped him rack up 1,307 yards receiving this season, third-best in the league and just 17 yards away from breaking Hines Ward’s Steelers record for receiving yards. The Steelers like to throw short to Brown and let the receiver make plays and get yards after the catch. Shields and the Packers’ secondary will have to be sure tacklers to keep Brown in check.
Hot Streak
Packers defense
Last week’s two interceptions demonstrated just how important turnovers are to the Packers’ defense. The Packers’ defense has forced eight turnovers over the last three weeks. They picked Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo twice. Against the Atlanta Falcons, cornerback Jarrett Bush had an interception and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly had a fumble recovery. In a losing effort in Detroit, the Packers came up with four turnovers, interceptions by corners Shields and Tramon Williams and two fumble recoveries by safety Morgan Burnett.
Fine Finale
Lambeau Field in December is a tough place for opponents to find success. The Packers have won every regular season home finale under Mike McCarthy since he became coach in 2006. The streak actually goes back eight games, and the Packers are 20-1 in home finales since 1992, the best mark in the NFL.
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