Packers hold off Steelers to improve to 3-1
The Packers are now 3-1 after their 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Steelers struck first with a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. The Packers eventually answered back with two touchdowns of their own before both teams trailed field goals, which ended the scoring in the first half as the Packers took a 17-10 lead into halftime. The Packers came back with 10 points in the second half before the Steelers scored late to pull to within 27-17, which is how the game ended.
Some thoughts about the win:
The Steelers put together a decent drive to start the game. Ben Roethlisberger connected on a long throw to Diontae Johnson for 45 yards and a touchdown, the longest pass play the Steelers would have all game.
There is controversy whether or not the Steelers jumped early when they blocked Mason Crosby’s field goal attempt before halftime. It could have been 17-10 Steelers and momentum at halftime, but the officials said they jumped and Crosby got another chance from 5 yards closer. That call cannot be challenged or reviewed and the Packers avoided a disaster of a play right before halftime.
There was another controversial call in the third quarter. Aaron Rodgers was tripped by T.J. Watt, but the officials ruled it wasn’t intentional. Instead of a potential touchdown drive, they had to settle for a field goal and a 20-10 lead.
Davante Adams had some nice catches, but it was veteran Randall Cobb who led the team in receiving this game, scoring two touchdowns. Rodgers knew that Cobb still had some game left in him, which is why he lobbied the front office to get him during the offseason.
The Packers defeated the Steelers for the first time in the regular season since December 24, 1995. Aaron Rodgers has now faced all of the other 31 teams at Lambeau Field.
I wouldn’t say the Packers were dominant, but it seemed like they weren’t going to let the Steelers come back and win this game. Pittsburgh has some problems. They were in last place in their division coming into this matchup and they were the only AFC North team to lose in Week 4, putting them in a deeper hole than before the game started.
As for the Packers, they are currently on top of the division after winning three games in a row, especially the last two which were thought to be very tough just a few weeks ago. They defeated the 49ers, and that team is now 2-2 with Jimmy Garoppolo possibly missing some time with a calf injury. Things can change very quickly in the NFL.
No matter the circumstances, I will take it. Wins over the Steelers have been few and far between lately, although the Packers will always have that memory of Super Bowl XLV.
The Packers are now on to Cincinnati next week as they take on the Bengals in the Packers’ first early Sunday game of the season. Enjoy this win for now Packer fans. We are only getting warmed up.
Go Pack Go!
@DieHardPackrFan #DHPF #GregGoshaw @gg901
