Packers no longer look like contenders, face Steelers team on the rise

by Christina "Tina" Rivers (3Rivers_Writer) on November 23, 2017

The Green Bay Packers had their fans a little excited that all hope was not lost when they beat the Chicago Bears after their defense played well and the offense kept from shooting itself in the foot. Against the Ravens, the defense did their job, for the most part, holding Baltimore to a season-low 219 total yards. The problem: the offense. Being the guest of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday is like Daniel being invited into the Lion’s Den; Daniel being played by Hundley – and who knows whether he will have any heavenly favor from the football guards. Here are the things to look at in regards to the Packers ahead of the Week 12 game.

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Hundley isn’t looking like a starting NFL quarterback

When the Aaron Rodgers injury occurred, the Packers had an opportunity to look for a more capable quarterback to take his spot, but Mike McCarthy was almost arrogant in the way that he dismissed any possibility that Green Bay would look anywhere but within their own organization. They had Brett Hundley, he’d been there for three seasons and knew their offense, there was no question from the organization that the kid was their go-to guy.

Pittsburgh fans are familiar with a similar situation in how the Steelers have stuck by Landry Jones. There is something to say about a backup being intimately familiar with the schemes, the playbook, his offensive teammates and their abilities. In the case of Hundley versus Jones, however, the numbers don’t lie – Jones has been more successful when called upon even if fans just can’t accept it on an emotional level.

The Packers were high on the list of potential Super Bowl contenders as the 2017 NFL regular season kicked off. Now, this team very well could miss the playoffs and it isn’t all based on the fact that they lost one of the best modern-day quarterbacks in Rodgers. The weight falls heavily on the inconsistent play of Hundley and the Packers organization’s lack of willingness to examine other options.

Brett Hundley is our starter … We understand the standard that has been set here. We are all part of it. – M. McCarthy

Hundley has some bad habits. He holds the ball too long and has poor pocket presence. When he drifts outside of the pocket, he becomes an easy target for brutal hits and sacks. Behind an injury-riddled offensive line, Hundley tends to run to the outside instead of finding a blocker to protect him and move upfield. His tendency to get overwhelmed and frustrated, leading to mistakes and turnovers, illustrates that his three years in the league have been spent looking at the field on the sideline and an iPad or tablet feed sent down from the press box more than getting into the action and learning from Rodgers. Two touchdowns against seven interceptions are just one indicator that he is not prepared to take on the role of leading the offense.

In their first eight drives against the Ravens, the Packers drives went as follows: interception, interception, fumble, punt, punt, turnover on downs, punt, turnover on downs. Hundley finished 21-of-36 for 239 yards and three interceptions and on the season has a rating of 63.26.

Fourth INT of the season for @weddlesbeard! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/YpAEjwfPEN

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 19, 2017

The Packers have lost three-of-four games since Hundley took over (their one win was against a 3-6 Chicago Bears team). In Week 11, they were handily beaten by a sub-par Baltimore Ravens team, 23-0, at Lambeau Field. This forebodes a potential meltdown against the Steelers.

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Defense damaged, injury-bitten

Starter Clay Matthews was forced out of the game against the Ravens with a groin injury, but he wasn’t the only starter on defense that has been bitten by the injury bug. Cornerback Kevin King and safety Morgan Burnett were unable to play last weekend and defensive tackle Kenny Clark had to be carted off the field (ankle). Attrition is something the Packers do not need as it was the defense that was keeping them in many of the games they’ve played so far this season.

Clark, who has played a key role in containing the run game, leads the defensive line with 29 tackles in nine starts this season. “(Clark is) one of those guys that’s been phenomenal this year,” linebacker Blake Martinez said after the game. “He’s one of our impact players… He’s definitely a big component to our defense.”

That opens the door for the Steelers to get running back Le’Veon Bell cranked up early on Sunday. Bell, whose production dipped against the Titans, is primed for a breakout game and the Packers very well could set that up. The Packers had allowed just 3.7 yards per carry – close behind Tennessee – but the Steelers would do well to once again use an up-tempo offense early and have Bell push the Packers defense before breaking out their long pass game.

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Offensive line a liability

Green Bay is second in the league in total sacks allowed in 2017 with 36. This is a bad situation as they face a Steelers defensive front that ranks second in the NFL with 34 sacks. Justin McCray has a knee injury and made his sixth start after the Packers lost right tackle Bryan Bulaga to a season-ending knee injury. On Saturday, the Packers activated Jason Spriggs off of the injured reserved list and was forced to finish the game against the Ravens the very next day.

Aside from being a liability when it comes to protecting Hundley, the Packers have had to turn to rookie rushers Jamaal Williams and Devante Mays after Ty Montgomery (ribs) and Aaron Jones (knee) were forced to the sidelines. Williams has logged 95 yards on 22 touches and converted five first downs while Mays has produced more but is plagued with fumble issues.