Scouting Report: Packers

A look at what the Steelers will be up against on Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers: **RODGERS’ REPLACEMENT:** Third-year backup quarterback Brett Hundley made his first career start on Oct. 22 against New Orleans, the game after starter Aaron Rodgers had suffered a broken collarbone on Oct. 15 against Minnesota. The statistical drop off at the position has been staggering. Rodgers had 13 touchdown passes, threw three interceptions and had a passer rating of 103.2 in five-plus games. Hundley has thrown two TD passes, seven interceptions and has a passer rating of 63.3 in four-plus games (four starts). Hundley has the necessary size (6-foot-3, 226) and arm strength, and is also capable of making plays with his legs (running with the football or escaping pressure and extending plays). But his inexperience was showing too often in Green Bay’s 23-0 loss to Baltimore last Sunday. The offense kept bogging down due to mistakes and misplays, an interception on a throw that Hundley shouldn’t have been made, a sack taken due to holding onto the ball too long, or vacating a clean pocket for no apparent reason.Green Bay has won one of Hundley’s four starts (23-16 on Nov. 12 at Chicago). The Packers out-gained the Ravens (265 yards to 219), were better on third downs (31 percent to 21 percent) and had more first downs (16-14), yet were shut out. Hundley threw three interceptions and lost a fumble and was sacked six times. The growing pains are apparent. Green Bay has lost four of five after opening 4-1 in games started and finished by Rodgers. BANGED UP BACKS: The Packers were down to rookies Jamaal Williams and Devante Mays in terms of healthy running backs available against the Ravens. Williams has 158 rushing yards on the season and Mays has minus 1. Green Bay has also tried wide receiver Randall Cobb as a Wildcat QB in its last couple of games. Cobb has carried seven times for 19 yards on the season. TRYING WHAT THEY CAN: Green Bay went for it on fourth down four times against Baltimore, including once from the Green Bay 45-yard line in the second quarter (trailing, 3-0), once from the Baltimore 41 in the third quarter (trailing, 13-0) and once from the Baltimore 36 in the third quarter (trailing, 13-0). The Packers converted once. **DEFENSIVE PEDIGREE:** The Packers have five former No. 1 picks listed as starters on their defensive depth chart _ nose tackle Kenny Clark, outside linebacker Clay Matthews, outside linebacker Nick Perry, cornerback Damarious Randall and free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Rookie Josh Jones (a No. 2b pick this year) started as an injury replacement for Morgan Burnett at strong safety. Rookie Kevin King (a No. 2a pick this year) plays in sub-packages. Green Bay lost Clark (high-ankle sprain) and Matthews (groin) in the Ravens game and still allowed a season-low 219 total net yards. The Packers have held three straight opponents under 65 yards rushing (a combined 177 yards on 76 carries for a 2.33 average per rush). Green Bay has amassed eight of its 21 sacks in the past two games. Perry has a team-leading seven, including three against Chicago. SPECIAL EDITION: The Packers have had three long snappers this season. Brett Goode is back for his second go-around after opening the season and then getting hurt. Goode had a slow, wobbly snap late in the second quarter against the Ravens on a punt that was returned 28 yards and set up a Baltimore field goal. COACH ’EM UP: Green Bay’s Mike McCarthy became the fourth coach in NFL history to lead a franchise to eight-plus consecutive playoff appearances when he took the Packers to the postseason last season, extending a streak McCarthy had started in 2009. The first three coaches to make the playoffs at least eight seasons in a row with the same team were the Cowboys’ Tom Landry (1966-73, 1975-83), the Steelers’ Chuck Noll (1972-79) and the Patriots’ Bill Belichick (2009-16). STAT THAT MATTERS: Wide receivers Jordy Nelson and Devante Adams share the team lead in receiving TDs with six each. Nelson has none and Adams has two since Rodgers was injured. HE SAID IT: “The anticipation just simply isn’t there with Brett Hundley. It takes him a while to make that decision. If you wait, you’re late; the ball’s gotta come out on time.” _ CBS analyst Rich Gannon during the broadcast of the Packers-Ravens game on Hundley.