Three areas where the Packers can thrive against the Steelers
By Cody Young
Packers pass rush needs to win against this Steelers O-line
No. 2: Pass rush
The Packers’ defense suffered a huge blow on Friday, with the news that Za’Darius Smith needed back surgery and will be out indefinitely.
#Packers LB Za’Darius Smith underwent back surgery this week, sources tell me and @RapSheet. He’s expected to be out an extended period of time, though the hope is it’s not a season-ending situation.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 1, 2021
Of course, the Packers have already been without their Pro Bowl pass rusher for most of the season but hearing this is certainly concerning. With that being said, the Packers will continue to rollout Preston Smith and Rashan Gary as the starting edge rushers, with Jonathan Garvin as their backup.
Coming into week four the Packers currently sit at 24th in the NFL in sacks but as I’ve stated earlier, this Steelers O-line is not very good and Green Bay should be looking to take advantage of this.
Gary and Smith so far have combined for 1.5 sacks but both have done a decent job of creating pressure. Gary in particular has shown time and time again that he’s capable of forcing pressure but he must finish these plays to reach the next level.
The Steelers’ offensive line has been the biggest weakness by far for their team and they have already given up eight sacks in 2021. This puts them in the bottom half of the league in terms of sacks given up.
The past couple of years, the Packers have done a great job of creating pressure thanks to Za’Darius Smith. In 2021, they will have to prove they can do it without him.