Next opponent: Packers bring similar styles on both sides of the ball

The Steelers have a great opportunity in front of them to improve to 6-3 on the season as the Packers come to town. However, the Packers play a very familiar style of football that's built on running the football and playing solid defense. The only difference between the two teams? Turnover differential and success in the fourth quarter.

Here's a breakdown of what the Packers bring into Week 8:

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Record: 3-5
Standing: Third, NFC North
Last result: Won over Rams, 20-3

THE TREND

Like the Steelers, the Packers are a franchise that expects to win. However, 2022 was a fork in the road for Green Bay. Not only did the team finish 8-9, breaking a streak of three straight NFC North titles, but the team and star quarterback Aaron Rodgers opted to part ways via trade during the offseason.

The Packers had a lot of holes on the roster to address during the offseason, but managed to put together a decent roster, thanks in part to a decent draft class that included LB Lukas Van Ness, TE Luke Musgrave and speedy WR Jayden Reed.

With one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, anything the Packers do in Matt LaFleur's fifth season as head coach is built on youth. Thus, this is an inconsistent team that's lost games to the Falcons, Raiders (prior to Josh McDaniels' firing) and Broncos. All three of those games have been on the road, but those are some ugly losses.

This past week, the Packers snapped a four-game skid with an impressive 20-3 victory over the Rams at Lambeau Field. They're obviously looking to build off of that momentum, though the Packers have been considerably worse on the road this season.

THE QUARTERBACK

With Rodgers gone, the Packers turned to Jordan Love, a first-round pick out of Utah State in the 2020 draft. And, with Packers fans used to either Rodgers or Brett Favre since 1992, there were very big shoes to fill.

Though he had logged appearances in 10 games during the previous two seasons, Love's first season as a starter has gotten off to a rather shaky start. Love's completing only 59.6% of his passes, averaging 6.6 yards per attempt and his eight interceptions is only one behind the four tied for the most in the NFL.

Analytically, Love is definitely a bit reckless and without much reward. Among the 27 quarterbacks with at least 50% of 421 dropbacks this season, his 3.2% big time throw percentage ranks 20th. To make matters worse with that, Love's average depth of target is 9.5 yards. So, he's throwing the ball down the field a lot while reaping little benefits.

But, don't let the numbers fool you too much. Much like Kenny Pickett, the overall numbers don't accurately reflect the talent that's there. There is obviously room to grow, but Love has the capability to make throws like this dot from a three-quarter arm slot with pressure in his face. Don't write him completely off:

Love can also keep defenses honest with his legs. This year, Love has 29 carries for 171 yards and two touchdowns. While Love and Pickett are pretty similar with their passing numbers, that addition to his game makes him a bit more of an efficient player than Pickett in terms of overall contributions. The one separator between Love and Pickett? Love is phenomenal in the third quarter this season (76.5% completion percentage, 9.9 yards per attempt, 124.3 passer rating), but those numbers drop off in the fourth quarter (50.0% completion percentage, 6.5 yards per attempt, 66.7 passer rating).

THE OFFENSE

Outside of Love, the Packers' offense is built on two things: A dynamic duo at running back and dynamic youth at receiver. Kind of like the Steelers.

Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon give the Packers a 1-2 punch while providing two completely different styles. Jones is the more complete back that can hurt defenses in all areas, including the passing game. Dillon is much more of a physical runner, and he ranks eighth in average yards after contact

Like the Steelers, the Packers are at their best on offense when they get the running game going. In their 20-3 win over the Rams, the Packers rushed for a season-high 184 yards. With that performance, the Packers are averaging only 100.4 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. 

If the Packers establish the run, it opens things up for Love to hit some young, exciting targets in the passing game. Romeo Doubs leads the Packers with 30 receptions, and rookies Musgrave and Reed provide some upside as reliable pass catchers. But nobody in green and gold has a ceiling quite like Christian Watson. He's only got 12 catches in five games played, but has compiled 213 yards on those receptions, including this gem from last week:

The Packers haven't quite put things together yet. They rank only 24th with 300.0 yards per game and rank 20th with 20.0 points per game. They are, however, one of the better teams on third down, converting 41.7% of those opportunities, which ranks 10th in the NFL.

THE DEFENSE

Like the Steelers, the Packers are definitely more consistent and productive on this side of the ball. And, like the Steelers, it really begins up front with a pair of solid edge rushers in Preston Smith and Rashan Gary. 

The Packers' front isn't all that great in actually sacking the quarterback, as their 20 team sacks rank 21st in the NFL. But, they rank 11th in hurry percentage and 12th in pressure percentage. They make life uncomfortable for quarterbacks in the pocket.

At times, this front can really get after offenses. And it seems they're on the verge of becoming quite good, though the numbers don't quite back it up yet. They're allowing 124.0 rushing yards per game, which ranks 23rd in the league. They've also only registered eight takeaways, which is the third-fewest in football. But, with the style of defense they play, forcing fumbles is the way they'll try to take the ball away.

While the Packers are trying to find that consistency and next level up front, the second and third levels do a good job of limiting opposing offenses. De'Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker are a solid duo at inside linebacker, and the Packers have continued to play well in the middle of the defense despite losing Darnell Savage to IR with a calf injury. Rudy Ford has been great at safety, both as a run defender and in coverage. Campbell, Walker and Ford are three of the four leading tacklers for Green Bay, and that's with Campbell playing in only five games this season.

Much like the Steelers saw with San Francisco and Houston, the Packers' defense doesn't wow you with flash, but they play fundamentally sound football. This is really where the Steelers and Packers differ. The defense not only ranks ninth with 196.1 passing yards allowed per game, it ranks fifth in yards after catch (YAC), which helps limit big plays through the air. The Packers are also fifth in the NFL with only 4.9 yards allowed per play, and they do a good job of keeping offenses out of the end zone once they get inside the 20. Their 46.2% red zone percentage is ninth-best in the NFL.

THE SPECIAL TEAMS

Anders Carlson handles placekicking duties, and has made 11 of 13 attempts thus far. His only two misses have come from the 40-yard range. Daniel Whelan punts for Green Bay, and averages 47.9 yards per punt, but only 37.9 net yards per punt. Seven of his 33 punts have wound up inside the 20. Keisean Nixon and Reed handle returns, though Nixon is the only one who's logged kick returns this season. Either Nixon or Reed could be a factor on punts as they've ran back returns of 34 and 35 yards, respectively.

THE INJURY REPORT

• Aaron Jones, RB (hamstring) -- Unlike last week, Jones wasn't wearing a red non-contact jersey during drills Wednesday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. Even so, the Packers have taken it easy with Jones, who has dealt with a hamstring issue that has lingered since Week 1. After being a limited participant all week, Jones doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game. He's cleared to play.

• Elgton Jenkins, G (knee) -- Jenkins carried a "questionable" tag into last Sunday's game, but wound up playing. He was limited in practice all week, but the starting left guard is cleared to play Sunday.

• Yosh Nijman, OT (back) -- A back injury forced Nijman to leave Sunday's game against the Rams. He missed Wednesday's practice, but was able to be limited on Thursday and Friday. Nijman's considered questionable for Sunday, with Rasheed Walker as the other option at left tackle should he not be cleared to play.

• Jaire Alexander, CB (shoulder) -- Alexander has dealt with back issues this season, but is now on the injury report with a shoulder injury. It's significant enough to keep him out of practice all week, and even more significant that he's considered doubtful to play. His absence would be significant, as he played every defensive snap in the win over the Rams. That's a workload that's not easy to replace.

• Quay Walker, LB (groin) -- Walker didn't play this past Sunday, and sat out practice all week. He's doubtful to play, which would be a key loss for the middle of Green Bay's defense. Campbell is the Packers' best off-ball linebacker, but losing Walker is essentially the same as the Steelers losing one of their three inside linebackers. It's not something that's easily shrugged off.

• Rudy Ford, S (calf) -- Ford missed the Packers' win over the Rams, but returned to the practice field this week. He was limited all week, but his availability seems a bit more promising this week, despite carrying a questionable designation into Sunday. Ford is a key player in the middle of Green Bay's defense. If he can't go, that would be a huge blow with Alexander and Walker both doubtful.

• Kenny Clark, NT (shoulder) -- Clark had to be carted off the field in the Packers' win over the Rams, but returned to practice this week as a limited participant. He's officially questionable to play. Clark's tied for second on the team with four sacks, so his potential absence could really hurt the Packers up front. Colby Wooden would be the next man up if Clark can't go.

• Christian Watson, WR (back) -- Watson avoided concussion protocol after a hard fall against the Rams, and LaFleur has indicated Watson is over ailing back and chest injuries. He was a full participant all week, and doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday. He's cleared to play.

• Josh Myers, C (knee) -- Myers popped up on Thursday's injury report as a limited participant with a knee issue, and was limited again on Friday. He's the starting center, so him being questionable to play is significant.

• Jon Runyan, C (neck) -- Runyan would be in line to start if Myers can't go, except that he's also questionable after missing Wednesday's practice and being limited the next two days. The Packers could potentially be without both of their primary options at center.

QUOTABLE

"They wear people out for sure. I think our whole O-line knows we're in for a four-quarter battle, and it's going to be a rough one all the way to the end." -- Center Josh Myers on Steelers' dominant fourth-quarter play

"Their front is a problem. They're big, athletic and just create a lot of issues. They pride themselves on physicality and it shows up all over the tape." -- Matt LaFleur on Steelers' defensive front

"T.J.'s a great player. He's a playmaker. Plays with really good effort. I think they're whole defense does a good job of that ... He has a really good get off. He's a quick, explosive player. He's also powerful. He likes to go up top, try and get around the edge and squeeze the pocket in. He's a quick pass rusher and has got some good moves." -- Jordan Love on T.J. Watt