Battle of the first half strugglers

Despite finally scoring a touchdown in the first half versus the Rams, ending a five-game streak without one, the Packers are still scoring the fewest points in the first half, averaging just 4.5.

On Sunday, the Packers will meet their match in that regard, with the Pittsburgh Steelers also struggling mightily to get anything going in the first half, scoring just 6.9 points on average, which ranks 28^th in the league.

Conversely, Green Bay is the highest scoring offense in the second half of games, averaging 15.5 points, compared to Pittsburgh’s 9.8, landing them 17^th in the NFL.

The Packers showed real signs of progress last week in terms of early offense and would have had more points if not for two baffling offsides penalties which ended drives prematurely, as well as a missed field goal attempt by Anders Carlson.

Can Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur finally get this offense going from the start? They will face a tough test versus Pittsburgh’s defense.

T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith

The real challenge of taking on the Steelers defense lies in their two formidable pass rushers.

Watt and Highsmith rank 4^th and 12^th respectively out of 108 edge players in the NFL according to PFF, and the pair already have 14 sacks between them in 2023.

With Watt usually rushing from the left side, right tackle Zach Tom will face arguably his most difficult assignment of the season, while the unsettled rotation of Yosh Nijman and Rasheed Walker try to hold down Highsmith.

Tom has quickly established himself as an above average tackle and is PFF’s highest graded Packer this season. Keeping Watt at bay would be his greatest achievement yet.

More snaps for Sean Rhyan?

Packers fans might have jumped the gun on declaring Rhyan a bust after his first NFL season.

The skepticism was understandable given Green Bay’s recent track record in the third round and the fact Rhyan did not play a single snap as a rookie, ending the season with a PED suspension.

But the talent was always there, and he began to show it this summer, impressing regularly during one-on-one drills in training camp.

Suddenly thrown into the fire against the Rams, and Aaron Donald no less, Rhyan not only survived, but thrived, logging seven impressive snaps in relief of the injured Jon Runyan, who is questionable this week with a neck injury.

Whether it comes this week or later in the season, Rhyan’s performance at Lambeau Field should have earned him another opportunity to show what he can do.

Green Bay’s cornerbacks

Jaire Alexander is listed as ‘doubtful’ to play on the Packers injury report, Eric Stokes is on injured reserve, and Rasul Douglas plays for the Bills now.

That means the cornerback group for Green Bay will consist of Keisean Nixon in the slot, Carrington Valentine and likely some combination of Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell.

Although Valentine was terrific a week ago, that is far from an ideal scenario facing Pittsburgh’s talented receivers in Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, and Allen Robinson.

The ability of this ragtag group of corners to hold up on Sunday will go a long way towards deciding the final result of the game.

Dontayvion Wicks

Aside from one of the weirder fumbles you will ever see, Wicks has been extremely impressive in his early NFL career. The fifth-round pick shows a natural artistry for the position which frankly, none of his colleagues in the wide receiver room have.

Yet he has not played more than half of the offensive snaps since week four, averaging just 27.5% since then.

In PFF’s raw separation grade, Wicks is keeping good company, ranking right alongside the likes of Keenan Allen and Stefon Diggs, and ahead of Davante Adams.

The Packers clearly have something in Wicks, and while it is understandable he is behind Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed on the depth chart right now, it is time to increase his snap count.