December visits to Lambeau Field are generally feared due to the perennial strength of the Green Bay Packer organization and the frigid temperatures. Very fittingly, when the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8) take on Green Bay (7-6-1) on Sunday afternoon, there will be playoff implications for both historic franchises and the weather will be cold and wet.
A mix of rain and snow and a high of just 26 degrees is expected in Green Bay, but the presence of star QB Aaron Rodgers is not, as he will miss his seventh straight game due to a broken collarbone. Matt Flynn will start in his place for a team that, if it wins out, will claim a remarkable NFC North title. With the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears faltering in recent weeks, the Packers have been able to survive missing Rodgers and WR Randall Cobb, as well as getting past an embarrassing Thanksgiving Day loss to Detroit and a tie to the last-place Minnesota Vikings.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, must win this week and in Week 17 at home vs. Cleveland, plus hope for a combination of various results for several other AFC teams, in order to sneak into the playoffs with an 8-8 record. That is very unlikely, but the possibility leaves QB Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers with every desire to come out on top against the team that defeated them in Super Bowl XLV, the last time the teams met.
Before and during this game, Steelers players and fans will be rooting for the Buffalo Bills (playing Miami), the New York Jets, the Oakland Raiders (playing San Diego), and the New England Patriots (playing Baltimore). With two of those games starting at 1:00, the Steelers could possibly already be eliminated from playoff consideration, but the ability to damage Green Bay’s chances should also motivate Pittsburgh in this matchup.
Not just postseason opportunities play into how players approach games this time of year. With some changes likely on the horizon for the Steelers, every play may factor into the decision-making by team management when it comes to keeping or releasing players, moving up or down the depth chart, and placing priorities on certain positions in next April’s draft. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who has been on the hot seat for most of the season, will look to continue his unit’s impressive body of work over the last month or so. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who some have criticized at points despite his incredible career production as a coach and defensive wizard, will look to end 2013 on a positive note.
To do so, the Steelers will attack the Packers defense, ranked 22nd and 25th against the rush and the pass, respectively. Roethlisberger has led an 11th-ranked passing game that features Antonio Brown, who is statistically among the elite receivers in the league, as well as a special teams threat. Brown returned a punt for a touchdown last week against Cincinnati, on the now infamous play that injured Bengals punter Kevin Huber. On defense, Pittsburgh will be tasked with stopping rookie RB Eddie Lacy, as well as Flynn, who has been brilliant at times but also has struggled to find rhythm in the Green Bay offense. The Packers trailed 26-3 at halftime last week at Dallas, but emerged victorious thanks to a 34-point second half explosion.
Flynn has completed 64 percent of his passes and is not much worse than Rodgers in QB rating and other categories. Lacy has rushed for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns, while fumbling just once. In the passing game, Flynn will look for Jordy Nelson (72 receptions, 1,107 yards, 8 touchdowns – all team-leading figures), James Jones, and Jarrett Boykin.
Rodgers is by far the biggest name on either team’s injury report, as Pittsburgh gets a bit healthier with DE Brett Keisel expected to play after missing most of the last five games. At LB, LaMarr Woodley was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week, so his season is over. WR Jerricho Cotchery was questionable early this week, but is probable and will play.
