2 standouts and 3 duds from Packers discouraging Week 10 loss to Steelers

Standout: Corey Ballentine

When the Green Bay Packers traded Rasul Douglas, it was time for the young defensive backs to step up their game. Most probably assumed that the lead duties would fall to the University of Kentucky product, Carrington Valentine.

And while the rookie held his own on Sunday, it was Corey Ballentine who stepped up in the absence of Jaire Alexander and really showed up for the Packers secondary.

More times than not, Ballentine was matched up against the Steelers No. 1 threat: wide receiver George Pickens. But Ballentine kept Pickens in check all day and held the Steelers' wideout to just three receptions for 45 yards.

Pickens is a big-play threat waiting to happen, and Ballentine held his own, broke up two passes, and played lockdown defense on one of the best receivers the AFC has to offer. With Alexander sidelined due to injury, seeing Ballentine step up has to put a smile on the face of Matt LaFleur and Joe Barry.

With such a young, inexperienced secondary, the Green Bay Packers' defensive backfield was not the reason that the team lost on Sunday afternoon.

In fact, a case could be made that the defensive backs were one of the reasons the game was even within reach down the stretch. Kenny Pickett threw for just 165 yards.