Packers, Steelers are accustomed to close games
By GERY WOELFEL
There is a fine line between winning and losing in the NFL.
The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers know that all too well.
The Packers and Steelers, who’ll exchange unpleasantries Sunday in Pittsburgh, have been involved in a slew of close games this season.
Fortunately for the Steelers, they have won most of their close games. Unfortunately for the Packers, they have lost most of their tight games.
The Steelers have a 5-3 record and appear on their way to the playoffs in the AFC. They have won three of their five games by five or fewer points.
The Packers are 3-5 and are facing an uphill battle to secure a spot in the NFC playoffs. Three of their five losses have been by four or fewer points. They lost two games by a combined three points: a 25-24 setback to the Atlanta Falcons and a 19-17 setback to the Denver Broncos.
The Packers and Steelers are expected to be in yet another down-to-the-wire battle Sunday. At least, the odds-makers in Vegas believe that’ll be the case. They have installed the Steelers as three-point favorites.
The fact Pittsburgh has won five games is almost mind-boggling. They are playing poorly on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, the Steelers rank a pathetic 29th in the league, averaging 278.5 yards per game. They are also 29th in points per game at just 16.6.
If that isn’t enough, the Steelers are even worse on defense. They rank 31stamong the 32 NFL teams, allowing 377.3 yards per game.
As for the Packers, they are in the upper-third of the league in defense – defensive coordinator Joe Barry’s crew ranks 11th – but just 24th on offense.
The Packers have a golden opportunity to improve their offensive ranking against a pathetic Steelers defense. Their key playmakers – running back Aaron Jones and receiver Christian Watson – are healthy and quarterback Jordan Love seems to be settling in nicely. In the Packers’ 20-3 triumph over the Rams last Sunday, Love completed 20 of 26 passes without a turnover.
If the Packers’ offense steps up, Green Bay, and not Pittsburgh, will prevail in the latest of close games for the teams.
Prediction: Packers 27, Steelers 20.
