Green Bay Packers 2021 opponent preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
We get to see a rare meeting between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021.
Fun fact: Aaron Rodgers has missed the previous two regular-season games against the Steelers, both with a broken collarbone. The last time Rodgers played the Steelers was in the Super Bowl in 2011.
Will Rodgers still be the QB in Green Bay when Week 4 arrives and these two historic franchises go head to head?
Last season
For over three months, the Steelers were the team to beat in the NFL. Eleven consecutive victories led to conversations over a potential perfect season. However, their performances dipped towards the end of that winning run and soon after, the wheels came off.
Despite being in pole position for the AFC’s top seed and first-round playoff bye, the Steelers lost four of their final five regular-season games and fell to third in the conference. It meant they had to play in the wild-card round, where they were defeated 48-37 at home to the Cleveland Browns.
When is the game?
The Packers will meet the Steelers at Lambeau Field in Week 4. The game will be played on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 3:25 p.m CT. Lambeau Field likely won’t be a snow globe as it was in the 2013 meeting of these two teams.
Offseason additions/departures
The Steelers lost some key players in free agency including cornerback Mike Hilton and edge rusher Bud Dupree, but they also made some smart signings like guard Joe Haeg.
In need of offensive line help, was drafting running back Najee Harris in the first round a smart move? Time will tell, but there’s no doubt the Steelers need to run the football better.
Last meeting with Packers
November 27, 2017: Steelers won 31-28 at Heinz Field
Player to watch
T.J. Watt: I had to do it. Packers fans still aren’t over the fact Green Bay passed up on Watt by trading down in 2017, instead drafting Kevin King.
Watt will also be key to the outcome of this game. Watt has 49.5 sacks in four seasons and led the league last year. He’s a three-time All-Pro and one of the best pass rushers in football. If he has a big game, it could be a long afternoon for the Packers offense.