What to watch for as Steelers host the Packers Sunday night

The Steelers host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football in a game which once looked like a potential threat, at the beginning of the season, to a game that now appears to be an easy win for the black and gold (since Aaron Rodgers is out).

Pittsburgh is coming off a very impressive win after destroying the Tennessee Titans, dropping 40 points in what was clearly the offenses best outing of 2017. Ben Roethlisberger looked back in form and the team rolled to an 8-2 record. They now face a Packers team who’s in desperate need of a win in order to stay relevant in the NFC Wild Card Race.

Here Are The Keys To Victory

1. The Steelers need to create turnovers. As they did vs. the Titans, the Steelers can make the game far easier on themselves if they create some turnovers and give the offense shorter fields.
2. The defense needs to pressure Brett Hundley. He’s an easily rattled, oft-sacked QB and if the defense can get to him, it will make for a fun night in Pittsburgh.
3. The offense needs to avoid any big mistake or turnover. The Packers are not a good team. And the worst thing a heavy favorite can do is allow the underdog to stay in the game. Avoiding turnovers will eliminate that chance for the Packers.
4. Splash plays on offense need to happen but they need to be avoided on defense. We’ve seen a lack of the big play (except last week) on offense and we have seen the defense give up a few big ones at the same time. The splash play game needs to go in the right direction.

Here Are A Few Things To Watch

1. Ben Roethlisberger – Did he finally arrive last week? Will he keep up that type of play?
2. Coty Sensabaugh – He looked good replacing Joe Haden vs. the Titans. Will he continue to show his value?
3. I’m excited to see Le’Veon Bell. I have a feeling he’s going to have a huge game. He’s still a very important cog in the offensive game plan and one that can explode for huge plays at any moment. I think that moment will be Sunday Night…multiple times.
4. Chris Hubbard is a must watch. He’s filling in as the starter again for the suspended Marcus Gilbert. The team is 5-0 when Gilbert starts and 3-2 when Hubbard starts. Let’s see how he does on Sunday Night.

The black and gold should win this game very easily. I’m thinking a 31-13 final as the Steelers will have no issue with the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers.