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GREEN BAY – The first month of the 2021 NFL season saw the Packers’ defense start quickly and end strong.
But on Sunday, ahead of 78,281 at Lambeau Field, the Green Bay defensive unit played its most balanced game of the young season in a 27-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Packers did it through an assortment of big plays (two takeaways), key saves (the Steelers went 4 for 11 on the third and 0 for 2 on the fourth) and resilience after losing All-Pro. Jaire Alexander suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter.
Since a 38-3 loss to New Orleans in Game 1, the Packers have made steady progress defensively over the past month despite the absence of Pro Bowl passer Za’Darius Smith and running back. corner Kevin King.
This setback against the Saints taught Green Bay an important lesson.
“The first week it wasn’t us. We knew we were going to come back and be right, ”said defensive lineman Kingsley Keke. “Sometimes a little loss like this can get us back to work, working on things that we need to fix as a defense.”
After better outings against Detroit and San Francisco, Green Bay knew what it was about against the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger. Behind his future Hall of Fame quarterback, Pittsburgh got off to a quick start with an eight-game, 75-yard streak on his first offensive possession, which ended in a 45-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson. .
Green Bay practically closed the door on big plays after that, allowing only one gain of 20 yards or more for the remainder of the game. After the Packers forced a three-and-out on the Steelers’ second practice, Keke pushed his way through the Pittsburgh offensive line on the third down and slipped Roethlisberger’s arm to force a fumble.
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