The Green Bay Packers picked up some much-needed momentum in Week 9, defeating the Los Angeles Rams, 20-3. It was the team’s first victory since Week 3, as they snapped a four-game losing streak, bringing their record to 3-5 on the season.
In Week 10, they will face stiff competition against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers will be heading on the road to play at Acrisure Stadium against one of the more intimidating pass rushes in the NFL led by T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.
The Packers have some talent on their defense as well, but they are going to be short-handed on Sunday afternoon. According to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, star cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Quay Walker are both doubtful to play against the Steelers.
This will be the second consecutive game that Walker, who is dealing with a groin injury, will miss as he was absent for last week’s victory over the Rams. Alexander will be missing his fourth game, this time because of a shoulder injury.
That is a huge blow to the Green Bay defense. Without Alexander in the lineup, and with Rasul Douglas being traded to the Buffalo Bills, their secondary is going to be thin. Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon will likely handle all of the snaps at cornerback.
At linebacker, the Packers will likely turn to Isiah McDuffie and Eric Wilson as replacements for Walker. A first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Walker has been excellent for Green Bay this season and his impact at the second level of the defense will be missed.
The Packers need those backup players to step up and have a good game on Sunday afternoon. While the Steelers have struggled to consistently move the ball this season, there is a lot of talent on their offense. Wide receivers Diontae Johnson and George Pickens are a talented duo and are likely licking their chops knowing they will be going against backup cornerbacks in Week 10.
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