Last week the Green Bay Packers returned to the field for the first time since their NFC Championship game loss to the Seattle Seahawks back in January. A preseason game is different from a high-profile playoff game, however, it gave Packers fans and players a clean start and new hope. This week the Packers travel to Pittsburgh with hopes of their first-team offense being able to find their true form while the defense looks to continue improving.
Green Bay took care of business with a 22-11 win over the deflated New England Patriots last Thursday night. The only downside of the Packers victory was their lack of production from the first-team offense. During the three drives reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers was on the field, he provided only three points for the Packers.
It seemed that every time the Packers reached the Red Zone of New England, every player simply forgot how to play football. The offense moved the ball swiftly down the field then suddenly stall, something Packers fans hope doesn’t care over into regular season play.
Rodgers played well, completing 11 of his 19 passes while throwing for 117 yards. Green Bay saw similar production from clear second string Quarterback, Scott Tolzien. The former Wisconsin Badgers star tossed one touchdown to Jeff Janis while completing 10 of his 16 passes for 107 yards.
Looking forward, the Packers face another tough and explosive opponent in Pittsburgh. The Steelers first-team offense will push Green Bay’s shifting defense to the max, which is perfect for the young secondary to learn with some trial by fire.
Pittsburgh has lost both of their games during preseason so far, but when did that really mean anything? Team’s like the Cleveland Browns traditionally win most if not all their preseason games and never produce during the regular season. Steelers fans do not need to worry about the two losses because their first-team offense is fantastic and will keep them in all their games during the regular season.
Antonio Brown and Ben Roethlisberger will test out the young and shifting secondary for the Packers, especially the rookies who are fighting for key spots. Quinten Rollins made noise last week with his terrific coverage and physical play. Rollins likely won't see the field while Brown or Big Ben is on, but he can still make his mental reps count by watching Sam Shields and Casey Hayward.
This week's preseason game is the only Sunday game for the Packers before the regular-season begins. It is the most crucial of all weeks for the coaching staff and players because of having four full days to prepare and experience what Sunday games will look and feel like come season play. Even for the veterans on the team, this week will help gear their minds back to the real grind of life in the NFL.
Green Bay must come out and find their rhythm early against Pittsburgh, especially with their starting defense trying to recover from players lost and lack of skill overall. If Rodgers and company want a week to find last season's high-octane rhythm again, this week against a weak Steelers defense, is the perfect time to do it.