Trying to pinpoint the weaknesses with the Packers heading into Week 4

The Pittsburgh Steelers have another tough test ahead of them in Week 4 of the 2021 regular season when they travel to Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are 2-1 after a Week 3 win over the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday, and with players like Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones and Davante Adams, the Steelers will have their hands full.

With all the talk about the big name players for Green Bay, it isn’t as if their roster is perfect. In fact, there are plenty of issues on both sides of the ball. Every unit has their weaknesses. This week I was able to ask Joe Meerdink of Acme Packing Company several questions leading up to the Week 4 matchup. One of those questions was where he thought the weakness on the Packers’ offense resided.

Here is what he said about the offense:

On offense, if there’s a weakness, it’s the offensive line. It’s not because they’re particularly poor players or that they’ve played badly, it’s that there’s still some serious inexperience. If the Packers start the same offensive line they did in Week 3, their left tackle, left guard, center, and right guard will be starting their second, second, third, and third NFL games, respectively. Even if Elgton Jenkins does slide back in at left tackle after missing last week with an ankle issue, he’s playing out of position and will be making just his third start at that spot. That’s a serious lack of NFL reps! Even if they’ve been solid so far, you have to wonder if they’ll have a down game at some point. Week 1 wasn’t exactly smooth sailing on that front.

The Packers’ offensive line, going against the stout Steelers’ defensive front, should have their hands full on Sunday, but what about the Green Bay defense? Where are the kinks in their armor?

On defense, the weakness is the defensive line specifically, but in general, you could just say the middle of their front. Kenny Clark is a real stud on the line, but he’s really the only contributor there, and DeVondre Campbell, a career journeyman, is the only inside linebacker worth mentioning. In short, the Packers are weak up the middle.

This matchup seems to be a case of strength vs. strength. The Steelers defense vs. the Packers’ offense. However, it might be who can win the secondary matchup between the average Green Bay defense vs. the below average Pittsburgh offense. It sounds like a broken record, but is worth repeating. If the Steelers are unable to protect Ben Roethlisberger, and develop some type of rhythm up front, many of the factors being discussed will become moot.

Be sure to stay tuned to BTSC for the latest news and notes surrounding the black and gold as they prepare for Week 4 of the 2021 regular season.