Pittsburgh vs Green Bay NFL Handicapping
Green Bay will aim to extend its string of 13 consecutive regular-season home game wins in December or January, when they host the Steelers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
When: Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013 at 4:25 p.m. EST
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
TV: CBS
LINE: -7 (Packers), O/U 44.5
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
ATS Matchup Stats | Gambling Insight!
Check out our in-house Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s NFL FOOTBALL Picks Today!
It will be the first meeting between the Packers and Steelers since Green Bay’s 31-25 victory in Super Bowl XLV three years ago.
The Steelers (6-8) haven’t been eliminated from the postseason yet, and after a second half season surge, find themselves just two games out of the final AFC playoff spot.
Despite its sub .500 record, Pittsburgh has played well, losing four games by a touchdown or less, including a 34-28 defeat to Miami two weeks ago. However, the Steelers rebounded to kept their playoff hopes alive with a 30-20 win over division rival Cincinnati last week.
[soliloquy id=”82219″]
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger needs just 85 passing yards to reach 4,000 for the third time in his career, and has played well against Green Bay, throwing for a career-best 503 yards and three TDs in his only previous regular-season meeting with the Packers.
Defensively, Pittsburgh has been unpredictable, but was excellent last week, holding the Bengals to 279 total yards. They will however, be tested by the Packers, who despite being without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who broke his collarbone in Week 9, have rode a steady wave of rookie running back Eddie Lacy all the way to a chance at the NFC North title.
Lacy, who has rushed for 1,028 yards and eight scores, will be a huge factor in this matchup, as Rodgers’ status is still yet to be determined for Sunday’s contest.
In the meantime, Green Bay (7-6-1) has soldiered on without their captain, bouncing back from a 26-3 halftime deficit to beat Dallas last week behind a solid effort from backup quarterback Matt Flynn, who threw four touchdown passes against the Cowboys.
Nevertheless, if Green Bay wants to stamp its title ticket, it will need an appearance from the defense that shut down Dallas last week.
Matt’s Free Prediction
The Packers have won their final regular-season home game in eight straight seasons and 20 of the last 21 and in one of the biggest games of the year for both teams, I expect them to get it done at home with a steady dose of Lacy, and maybe a slim possibility of a shot or two of Rodgers.
Regardless, Green Bay gets it done.
Packers 28, Steelers 24
