The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have the easiest matchup ahead with the Green Bay Packers coming to town for a Sunday Night Football showdown. It will be a battle of two teams in the thick of the postseason races in their respective conferences. While it is still early in the season, the two organizations know how much this game means, and not just because Aaron Rodgers is set to start against the franchise that he won a Super Bowl with. The preparation and game-planning leading up to the contest will be important for both sides, especially because there are evident trends at this point in the year.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
No one truly expected the Steelers' offense to be playing at the level it has throughout six regular season games, but the unit has played a very competitive brand of football with Rodgers at the helm. That is expected to continue if the group can stay healthy, but it is the defense that has been much less reliable as the weeks have gone on. The main issue has been consistency, something that is key in the NFL.
The Packers have a great offensive mind leading the way in Head Coach Matt LaFleur, so he will be able to take advantage of Pittsburgh's defense if he catches on to certain things schematically. One of the most prominent areas to watch once the contest kicks off is something that Green Bay has had a ton of success with offensively, while Pittsburgh has significantly struggled with it on the other side of the ball.
It has been a trend in recent seasons for Mike Tomlin's groups to go through bad stretches of football when it comes to successfully playing defense. One Achiiles heal for 2025 has been third down. The Steelers are ranked near the bottom of the league, allowing opponents to convert nearly 42% of the time. That mark is poor enough to be 26th, suggesting that it is not a strong suit of the unit.
"Third down is what this league is about. If you can’t get off the field, you’re going to lose games."@Mspears96 explains how the Steelers’ defense struggling on third downs could cost them wins 👀 pic.twitter.com/H0M8ClVs55
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 16, 2025
On the other side of things entering Week 8, the Packers are at the very top of the league, getting to the yard to gain almost 50% of the time. That is a recipe for disaster in the Steel City if Pittsburgh's defense can't make a major adjustment ahead of the matchup. Fans may not have to look further than that box score afterwards to know which organization prevailed in primetime.
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Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt stands on the field as he enjoys a veteran day off while the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Performance on third downs is not the only area in which the Steelers' defense has struggled in 2025, but it's pretty clear that it will play a massive role in the game versus Green Bay. If the Packers find a way to convert at least half of their chances, it might be a long evening for the Black and Gold. Conversely, if TJ Watt and co. have a specific game plan to combat what their opponent has done all season long, it could lead to a great advantage, instead of the other way around.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin smiles on the field as the players get a workout in during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Are Not Ready To Use A Scapegoat Just Yet
Pittsburgh rarely ever fires coordinators in-season, but if the ship begins to sink a little bit more, Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin could serve as a scapegoat for Tomlin. It shouldn't be expected, but the defense is entirely too talented and paid way too much to be having so many problems with November so close. Anything is possible and changes could be on the table if a losing streak occurs, or the defensive group continues to rank near the bottom of the NFL in key categories.
Do you think that the Steelers' defense will be able to contain the Packers' offense on third downs in Week 8? Let us know in the comments below!
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