Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers & Game Pick (2021)

Oct 2, 2021 - 10:08 AM

Two of the NFL’s most storied franchises will face off Sunday afternoon in Green Bay as the 1-2 Steelers visit the 2-1 Packers. Both teams come into this one with aging quarterbacks, with one aging noticeably different than the other. With Rodgers missing the last two games of this series, Sunday will mark the first time Rodgers has faced the Steelers since Super Bowl XLV at the end of the 2010 season.

Let’s take a closer look at how this one might be different.

View our Pick of the Day in the BettingPros mobile app (free!) >>

Details

• Opening Line: Packers-6.5, O/U 45.5
• Current Line: Packers -6.5, O/U 45.5
• Last meeting: November 26, 2017, Packers 28, Steelers 31

Overview

After an opening game dud against the Saints (3-38), the online keyboard warriors and pundits alike were coming for the reigning MVP Rodger’s head with claims of tanking and worse. They have since quieted down in masses. Following a week 2 win vs. Detroit, Rodgers led the Packers to a 30-28 road win vs. the 49ers, a game in which he threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Packers looked improved as well, limiting the 49ers to just 67 yards and forcing two turnovers.

While it’s likely too early to say this is a must-win for the visiting Steelers, boy does it feel it. Once again Roethlisberger shows limited ability to throw the ball downfield, while the offensive line continues to look lost and unable to establish a run game of any kind.

The injury bug hasn’t helped either, as defensive starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith missed last week vs. the Bengals and are questionable ahead of this matchup as well.

Check out all of our NFL game previews and picks for the week >>

Trends

• Steelers 8-2 ATS in L10 following a loss of 10+ at home
• Packers 5-2 ATS in L7 games
• Visiting team 4-1 ATS in L5 Steelers vs. Packers matchups

Bottom Line

Following their first back-to-back loss to the Bengals since 2012 (at home!), things will get even uglier in Pittsburgh should they lose one in a decisive fashion. With claims from Bengals players that the Steelers straight “gave up” last week, I expected a concerted effort from a veteran-led group in this one.

The problem, is effort is rarely enough in this league, and the Steelers lack the talent, especially with Watt at sub-100% to be able to contain Rodgers on the defensive side of the ball. And have little chance of competing in a shoot-out type of game.

Expect things to get worse before they get better in Pittsburgh and grab this one before it hits 7.

Pick: Packers -6.5

Bet $10, Win $200 if Your Team Scores a TD >>

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts

Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our How To Bet and Sports Betting Strategy and Advice pages are for you. You can get started with our 101 section — including How to Bet on Sports — or head to more advanced strategy — like 10 Tips to Become a Sharper Sports Bettor — to learn more.

Johnny Perun is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Johnny, check out his archive and follow him @JohnnyCovers.

The post Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers & Game Pick (2021) appeared first on BettingPros.