PACKERSTATS-Game 11: Nelson misses Rodgers in big way

By JERRY TAPP

Here are some of the numbers that helped define the Packers 31-28 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 26.

• Green Bay is now 27-20 (.574) versus the AFC in the Mike McCarthy era (since 2006).
• Ben Roethlisberger is now 3-0 against the Packers in the regular season. His four TD passes on Sunday were the most for him against the Pack in a game. He has nine TD passes and three interceptions in those three regular season contests. The Packers did beat Roethlisberger in Super Bowl XLV.
• Randall Cobb got his first TD reception since Week #4 against the Bears. He had gone six games without a TD reception.
• Damarious Randall got an interception in the game. The Packers are 4-5 in games when Randall gets a pick.
• The Pack put 14 points on the scoreboard in the first quarter. They had won 22 straight when they tallied 14 or more points in the first quarter. They are now 34-5 (.872) since 2000 when they score 14 or more points in the first quarter.
• They had the lead 14-6 at the end of the first quarter. Since 2000, Green Bay is 35-14 (.714) when they have the lead going into the second quarter.
• The score was tied at 14-14 at halftime. Green Bay is now 1-7 since 2010 in games where they are tied at halftime.
• Brett Hundley threw for three TD scores in the game. He is the first Packers QB other than Aaron Rodgers to have three or more TD passes in a game since Matt Flynn had four TD passes against Dallas on December 15, 2013. There have been only four Green Bay QBs to have three or more TD passes in a game in the last 25 years (since 1993): Hundley, Rodgers, Flynn and Brett Favre.
• The Packers defense had a pair of interceptions in the game. Since 2000, they are 79-16 (.832) in games where the “D” get two or more interceptions; they have, however, lost two straight.
• Pittsburgh had a better third down efficiency in the game: The Steelers converted on eight of 13 third downs (62%)… Green Bay was six for 13 (46%).
• Mason Crosby missed on his only field goal attempt in the game. Green Bay is now 6-6 since 2015 in games when Crosby misses a field goal.
• The game was tied at 21-21 going into the fourth quarter. Since 2000, the Pack is 10-6 (3-3 on the road) when there is a tie score going into the fourth quarter.
• If you need any proof that Jordy Nelson misses Aaron Rodgers, consider this: In the six games that Rodgers started this season, Jordy was targeted 38 times, had 25 catches for 290 yards and six touchdowns; in the five games started by Hundley, Jordy was targeted 26 times, has 13 catches for 113 yards and no TDs.
• The Packers had three takeaways in the game, usually a good omen for success. The Packers are now 23-4 (.852) since 2010 in games where they have three or more takeaways.
• Pittsburgh’s all-purpose back Le’Veon Bell rushed for 95 yards and had 88 yards in receptions in the game. He is the first opposing player to have 80 or more yards rushing and 80 of more yards receiving in the same game against the Packers since 2001. The last player was Cleveland’s Jamiel White on December 23, 2001 who had 131 yards rushing and 85 yards in receptions against the Packers.
• Roethlisberger had four TD passes. He is the 21^st QB since 1970 to have four or more TD passes in a game against the Packers (Green Bay is 5-16 in those games). The last opposing QB to have four or more TD passes against the Pack was Marcus Mariota last season in Tennessee’s 47-25 win over Green Bay.
• Jamaal Williams became only the fourth Green Bay rookie in history to have a rushing TD and a receiving TD in the same game. The others: Samkon Gado (2005), Gerry Ellis (1980) and Travis Williams (1967).
• Scoring 28 or more points on the road has been a good benchmark for the Packers. Unfortunately, 28 points on Sunday was not enough. Green Bay is now 75-20 (.789) since 2000 in away games when they score 28 or more points.