GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers have not won a game in Pittsburgh since 1970.
The Packers have only played there five times over the last 53 years.
Still, Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur said the team will have to play well to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
The Steelers have a 5-3 record so far this season; the Packers have a 3-5 record.
“This is a very competitive football team,” said LaFleur. “They pride themselves on physicality, and it shows up all over the tape. They’ve got a lot of guys that are big, strong and physical and they make plays when it matters most.”
Mike Tomlin is in his 17th season as Steelers head coach. He has yet to have a losing season.
“He’s a guy that I’ve got as much respect for in this business as anybody,” said LaFleur. “Just not only how he handles himself, but when you look at the quality of teams that he’s put out there. If you ask any player, any coach in this league, I don’t think there’s anybody that’s not going to respect him. Just how he carries himself, how he coaches his teams. And you can bet that they’re always going to be well prepared and very physical and very sound. He’s the model of consistency in this league.”
The Steelers are plus eight in turnover differential.
T.J. Watt, a Pewaukee native and University of Wisconsin alumnus, is a Steelers linebacker. Watt has been his exceptional self, with nine and a half sacks.
The Packers are not underestimating him.
“He can be slippery,” said Packers guard Elgton Jenkins. “Very instinctive, all around good player. He’ll make the effort. He likes to get after the passer.”
“T.J. is a great player,” said Packers quarterback Jordan Love. “Plays with really good effort on every play, and I think the whole defense does a good job of that. So we just got to we got to be able to match that.”
Their coach echoed the sentiment.
“T.J. is relentless,” said LaFleur. “He is one of those game wreckers. And then on the other side, Highsmith, he’s a baller as well.”
The Packers wanted to practice outside Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s road game, but lightning forced them into the Hutson Center.
Jaire Alexander was among those not practicing. LaFleur said Alexander was a “little banged up.” He was listed with a shoulder injury on the injury report.