The Steelers' Offense Shines, While the Packers' Defense Struggles in a Pre-Season Opener
The Pittsburgh Steelers showcased their offensive prowess in a 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. The game, which served as a pre-season opener, highlighted the team's strong performance, particularly from their quarterbacks, Drew Allar and Will Howard.
Allar, a third-round pick from Penn State, demonstrated poise and accuracy, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another. His performance was a testament to the Steelers' highly detailed process of teaching young signal callers, as described by head coach Mike McCarthy.
Howard, a sixth-round pick who hadn't played since the 2025 College Football Playoff championship, also looked comfortable directing the offense. He completed 7 of 9 passes for 86 yards and led a long scoring drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown dive by Lew Nichols.
The Steelers' offense outgained the Packers 385-160, showcasing their ability to execute plays effectively. This success is attributed to the QB-friendly system that McCarthy has implemented, as Howard noted.
In contrast, the Packers' defense struggled, allowing the Steelers to gain yardage in huge chunks. The Packers' starting quarterback, Jordan Love, completed only 3 of 5 passes during one series, and the team was penalized nine times for 76 yards.
The game also featured a strong performance by kicker Trey Smack, who made kicks of 58, 38, and 37 yards, as well as a 58-yarder that didn't count due to a personal foul penalty. Smack's performance was praised by Packers coach Matt Lafleur, who noted that he needs to stack his successful kicks.
Despite the Steelers' victory, the game had all the trappings of a pre-season opener, with some sloppy play on both sides. Pittsburgh was flagged 11 times for 135 yards, while the Packers were penalized nine times for 76 yards.
The Steelers' success in this game raises questions about the future of the Packers' starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, who is reportedly considering retirement. The competition for the right to start behind Rodgers is intense, with Howard, Allar, and veteran Mason Rudolph all vying for a spot on the final 53-man roster.
In conclusion, the Steelers' offensive performance and the Packers' defensive struggles were the highlights of this pre-season opener. The game showcased the Steelers' QB-friendly system and the Packers' need for improvement on defense. As the pre-season progresses, the competition for starting spots will intensify, with the final roster cuts looming on August 30th.
