The Packers had multiple opportunities to score points in the second half and while they accumulated more yards than Pittsburgh, the Steelers prevailed in a close game. To win, Pittsburgh executed their game plan while the Packers could only come close.
Pittsburgh’s block of the Packers extra point attempt on their second touchdown was a game changer. It required the Packers to bypass a field goal attempt , down 4 in the fourth quarter, twice. Both attempts ended in interceptions that could do nothing but put another seed of doubt in Jordan Love.
Love played his best game to date as the Packer starter. From start to finish, he was accurate and his deep balls were connecting. His final stat sheet does not do his performance justice. (21-40/289 yards/2TD’s/2 INT) – Love was the victim of some crucial drops, one by Aaron Jones to kill a drive.
Jones dropped another pass/lateral from Dontayvion Wicks on a trick play, killing another drive. Jones ended the day with 35 yards rushing, 19 passing and those two drive killers.
Jones runs hard and can spark the offense as he did in week one, but the Packers are not good enough to overcome multiple drive killers by their offensive leader. The Packers offensive line did a decent job protecting Love, but struggled mightily in the run game. The first run play for both teams was telling.
While the Steelers’ Najee Harris and his line moved the Packers for 5 yards on their first play, the Packers were stoned, Jon Runyon getting blown back by the Steelers linebacker who met him running full speed in the hole at the line of scrimmage.
The Packer run defensive failures were present from that opening snap. The Packers line was not holding up Pittsburgh’s offensive line, giving them clean looks at Packer linebackers.
Isaiah McDuffie and De’Vondre Campbell were getting blocked, sometimes for 5-8 yards downfield. The Steelers matched their season high in rushing yards, with ten minutes remaining in the second quarter. They ended the game with over two hundred yards on the ground.
The difference between the two defenses reacting to a running play was eye opening. By the time the Packers runners hit the line of scrimmage, Pittsburgh linebackers and safeties were there to meet them. When the Steelers ran the ball in the first half, Packer linebackers seemed frozen in their tracks, rarely penetrating the line, and safeties were still out of camera range.
This game was frustrating because the defense rallied, holding Pittsburgh to 2 field goals in the second half. Unfortunately, the Packers scored two field goals in the third quarter, giving the Packers a one point lead for a short time late in the third quarter, but came up empty in the 4th.
Two plays, one by Nixon, and the other by Campbell, could have created a game changing turnover. Nixon’s was overruled. Campbell’s went through his outstretched arms.
The first play of the 4th quarter epitomized the frustrations of the day. Facing 3rd and 11 at the Packer 33, LeFleur draws up a trick play.
Love quickly passes to Dontayvion Wicks who tosses back across the field to Aaron Jones, a lateral. Jones had 3 lineman and Romeo Doubs in front of him, with three on rushing Steelers coming towards him.
Jones then bobbles the catch, putting it on the ground while at the same time Doubs, Tom, Meyers and Runyon all whiff on their blocks. Maybe the dropped ball changed the angle of the defenders contributing to the complete misses of every attempted block on the play, but it is the ugliest execution of a play on film at a critical moment in the game. The Packers never regained their momentum and two forced ball interceptions were the final result.
Love had some great throws in the 4th quarter, driving deep into Steeler territory, a great improvement over most of his previous games. There was visible improvement in deep throws, on third down conversions and in making quicker decisions.
Unfortunately, one special teams gaff, Josiah Deguara letting Patrick Peterson fly in virtually untouched to block an extra point, completely changed the play calling down the stretch.
We were discussing our playoff run chances. Now, we are struggling to find comfort in the improved play during a road game loss to a winning but vulnerable opponent.
A play that should never happen. A play that got the former special teams coach fired when it happened in the playoffs in January 2022, rears its ugly head again. And maybe that is why this stings so badly. That 2022 play still brings a sour taste to Packer fans, and January 2022 seems like a lifetime ago.
Then we were discussing our playoff run chances. Now, we are struggling to find comfort in the improved play during a road game loss to a winning but vulnerable opponent.
Perhaps the Packers will execute next week against the Chargers. Let’s hope so.
Of the two interceptions I give a bit of forgiveness on the second. Three seconds left on the clock and what, eight or nine defenders lined up on the end zone. It was a Hail Mary type situation which needed a jump ball to a tall guy with good hands and it was a bit short.
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The first one though, Jordan Love watched Watson the whole route. There were no checks for other opportunities. It was Watson all the way. I’ll say it again just like last week. I think the better combination of WRs on the field is Doubs/Reed/Wicks and I don’t put Watson in that mix right now. Forcing to Watson does not have a good rate of production currently.
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Jordan Love did look a little bit better in this game. Passes mostly came out quicker and there were flashes of downfield accuracy on some. Receivers have to receive. Especially catchable balls.
Exactly Mitch. On that last play, Aaron Rodgers throws that ball away. There’s just no way he risks the interception. He always valued keeping his stats clean more than giving his team a chance to win. Even if that chance was remote. That way his legion of fans can tell each other how wonderful he is. Just look at his stats.
I know everyone is upset about the loss but there was a lot to like here. Jordan Love put up two TD’s in the first half, led two scoring drives in the third quarter to take the lead, and put together a scoring drive at the end of the game with less than a minute that should have tied it with a FG. Those were big boy throws to Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave. When he has time and sets his feet he’s much more accurate. He needs an elite LT. It’s also time to give Sean Rhyan a look at RG.
At this point, I’m less concerned about wins and losses. I want to see Jordan Love stack these performances and the wins will come. We’re not far off, provided Love continues to improve.
Aaron Jones isn’t same anymore, always liked him, but he’s become a fumbler. His crucial fumble cost us Detroit game last year. Turned that game completely to Detroit’s favor.
I actually said the same two weeks ago about Aaron Jones. Can’t stay healthy and he isn’t quite the runner he once was. Not surprising since he turns 29 next month and nearing the end for being an effective RB in the NFL. Thirty seems to be the proverbial wall for RB’s.
Still Jordan Love has played better when Jones has been healthy. I’m warming up to the idea that if you give Love and elite LT and a stud RB from the draft. Along with the maturation of the current WR’s and TE’s. That might be the way to go moving forward. Provided love continues to develop.
Wow, Piffle used to have one-man conversations with himself on here and has now given it up. Yeah, it’s easy to be a fan when the team is winning. Fake fans disappear when the team loses consistently. A lot of Packer fans are fake fans. The bandwagon is emptying. Just because Piffle was verbose and bullying did not mean he was an actual fan. Just a bully on a playground with less accountability.