Pittsburgh gave plenty of reps to backup quarterback Landry Jones in its first two games, now it’s time for Big Ben to get some snaps. The Steelers are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 preseason games with just one SU victory in that stretch. They’ll go against NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Packers Sunday on the NFL Network.
ODDS
The Steelers get their first home game of the preseason, opening as a 3-point favorite. Pittsburgh is 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 preseason games. The total opened at 41.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay’s starting offense were in for 33 plays in last week’s preseason opener against New England. That’s 33 more snaps than the MVP quarterback took when he was healthy in Week 1 of the preseason last year. Coming off a calf injury that limited his mobility in the playoffs, coach Mike McCarthy and Rodgers were willing to test the leg in the first game. Rodgers passed the test, showing his elusiveness completing 11 of 19 passes for 117 yards. We’re likely to see more of the same this week and next before Rodgers sits the regular season finale. Backup Scott Tolzien looked sharp completing 10 of 16 attempts for 107 yards and a touchdown while Brett Hundley may have eliminated Matt Blanchard from the quarterback competition. Hundley hit on 4 of 6 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown.
The Steelers put an end to any battle for the third-string quarterback job by releasing Tajh Boyd this week. The former Clemson standout didn’t attempt a pass in either of the team’s preseason games as Landry Jones took almost every snap. With backup Bruce Gradkowski activated from the physically unable to perform list, it allowed Pittsburgh to make the move. Ben Roethlisberger played one series in Jacksonville last week, completing all three of his passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. He’s likely to get a few more reps this week, though he isn’t sure how long he will play. Gradkowski will get some action as well, after coming off the PUP list. He’s likely to get a majority of the snaps leaving Jones, who played all but one series in two preseason games, on the bench.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy must be serious about starting faster this year. He played his MVP quarterback nearly the entire first half last week against New England in the preseason opener and will get him the same number of reps through the next two preseason games. Apparently he’s tired of beginning the season 1-2 for three straight years. Don’t be surprised if McCarthy holds Rodgers out of this year’s preseason finale, but between now and then, Rodgers and the first-team offense should get plenty of action. “We’ve started a little bit slow the last couple years. Maybe Mike wants us to get a little more work in the preseason, which is fine,” Rodgers said about his increased workload in August.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“This week will be the closest that we can get to for an in-season schedule. The practices are a little different because we still have training camp things to work through. It’s the only time we’ll have the full four days of preparation prior to a game. This is an important week on a lot of different fronts.” – Packers coach Mike McCarthy on this week’s schedule mimicking that of the regular season
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
Rookie Doran Grant is trying to make an impact on the Steelers’ overhauled defensive secondary. A starting corner on last year’s national champion Ohio State team is a welcome addition to a group highlighted by Cortez Allen, William Gay, newly acquired Brandon Boykin and Antwon Blake among others. The rebuilt defensive backfield was done out of necessity following the retirement of Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu and the loss of Brice McCain in free agency.
INJURIES
Starting left tackle David Bakhtiari is battling a knee injury and will not play along the Packers offensive line. Linebacker Clay Matthews has an injured elbow and his status is uncertain. Matthews was held out of last week’s game with a sore knee.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Both starting quarterbacks are expected to get plenty of first half snaps as we reach the midway point in the preseason. Rodgers played well for the Packers last week in a win at New England, but the team’s defense was responsible for shutting down the Pats. Roethlisberger will get more than the seven snaps he had last week and the Steelers get their No. 2 quarterback Gradkowski into the mix. There remain plenty of holes in Pittsburgh’s defense, especially in the secondary, and Green Bay’s first-team should be able to exploit them.
Green Bay 27, Pittsburgh 23
BookMaker sent out the NFL lines for this Sunday game at Pittsburgh -3 with a total of 41. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next quarter. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
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