In this week’s NFL expert roundtable, we asked three of our national writers what intrigues them the most about Aaron Rodgers’ first time facing the Packers since leaving the team where he spent 18 years and won a Super Bowl. Here’s what they had to say…
Zak Keefer: “I’m still not sold on Pittsburgh despite the 4-2 record. Rodgers has been good, but the league’s highest-paid defense — four years running now — gave up 33 to an aging Joe Flacco last week, 21 to Carson Wentz and the Vikings a few weeks back and 32 to Justin Fields and the woeful Jets in the opener. Pittsburgh has allowed an explosive play (a 16-yard catch or 12-yard run) on 13 percent of its defensive snaps this season, third-highest in the NFL. That’s bad news against a Packers team that can take the top off: Green Bay is second in the league in explosive play rate (13 percent).”
Mike Sando: “Rodgers’ interactions with Matt LaFleur and others he knows from his time in Green Bay will be fun theater. On the field, I’m interested in seeing how the Steelers’ defense performs after letting the Bengals amass 96 yards on slant routes, highest for any team in a game since 2021, per PFF and TruMedia (38 is Green Bay’s highest total on slants this season).”
Jeff Howe: “I can see Aaron Rodgers wanting to prove a point by showing off his best receiver and combining for a big day with D.K. Metcalf, possibly to the tune of a couple touchdowns. But I think the Packers need a big-time bounce-back on defense. Jeff Hafley’s group was electric to start the season, but they’ve been leaking a little more over the last three games. They do not want to let the neighborhood down when they return to Green Bay.”