Pittsburgh Secondary vs Green Bay Receivers
The weakest link for the Steelers versus the strongest link for the Packers provides a very intriguing match up. The Steelers have been very suspect at times this season when going against the upper echelon of wide outs and quarterbacks, and how well they play could be the deciding factor in the game. We all know about Troy Polamalu and how much of a disruption he can be around the line, but if he is forced to stay twenty to twenty five yards off the line of scrimmage, Aaron Rodgers could find some holes in the middle of the field and along the sidelines. It will be interesting to see how the twenty first ranked Steelers pass defense during the regular season handles the number fifth ranked Green Bay passing offense.
Advantage: Green Bay
The Steelers secondary rely far too heavily on the pass rush of the Defensive Line. If the Packers can keep Aaron Rodgers clean, the Steelers defense is in for a long Sunday evening.
Pittsburgh Offensive Line vs. Green Bay Defensive Line
Rumors have been swirling daily about the condition of Maurkice Pouncey's left ankle. The Pro-Bowl center has handled the leagues top defensive tackles and nose tackles well throughout the season and has been a key player in the Steelers running game. Green Bay Packers nose tackle B.J. Raji is a monster and could overwhelm backup center Doug Legursky. Though Legursky was thrown into the fire last week against the Jets and played well, Raji is on a different level in terms of skill level than last weeks opposition. The Steelers will have to plan their offense around how they will handle Raji if they're offense is going to be productive. I believe Bruce Arians will be more concerned about the match ups on the inside than he will be with the ones on the outside. The Steelers have already played and beat teams with better Outside Linebackers and Defensive Ends than the Packers, notably the Baltimore Ravens. Clay Matthews has played nearly every game at the Right Outside Linebacker which will be a huge disadvantage for the Packers. Even if he is able to get around Right Tackle Flozell Adams, Ben Roethlisberger will be able to see him coming.
Advantage: Even
B.J. Raji will make some plays on the inside to slow the Pittsburgh running game, but the Steelers will be able to neutralize the Packers up field rush to make some plays in the passing game.
Pittsburgh Defensive Line vs. Green Bay Offensive Line
The Steelers have made a name for having a dominating defense, and it all starts up front. The combination of James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley have been a nightmare for opposing Tackles and will continue to be in this game. Pro-Bowl Left Tackle Chad Clifton may be able to subdue Harrison, but rookie Right Tackle Bryan Bulaga is going to have his hands full with Woodley speed rushing off of the edge. The Packers will have to use Tight Ends and Running Backs to help in pass protection. Taking weapons out of Aaron Rodgers' arsenal is Pittsburgh's best bet in containing the Packers potent offense.
Advantage: Steelers
The Steelers have only allowed three players to rush for more than a hundred yards in the past five season and this game won't be any different. More defenders dropping back into pass defense will help the entire defense as a whole.
Final score: Pittsburgh 21 Green Bay 10
The Steelers defense is playing on an extremely high level and will continue to do so. The Packers offense will have its hands tied by the Steelers ability to stop the run, as well as put pressure on Aaron Rodgers. Ben Roethlisberger will use his ability to extend plays to find open Receivers down field for big plays. The Steelers will prove to be too much for the Packers in nearly all phases of the game.
