Steelers (

21.75) at
Bears (

24.25)

Game Overview ::

By pap324 >>

• The Bears have some injuries on defense. DB Jaquan Brisker missed Wednesday with a shoulder, LB Tremaine Edmunds missed with a groin, LB T.J. Edwards missed with a hamstring, and LB Noah Sewell missed with an elbow.
• QB Aaron Rodgers missed with a wrist, RB Jaylen Warren missed with an ankle, and LB Alex Highsmith missed with a Pectoral injury on Wednesday for the Steelers.
• This game environment hinges on the availability of Aaron Rodgers.
• The Steelers have been passing more than a typical Arthur Smith offense, but that might change if Rodgers can’t play.
• Jaylen Warren downplayed his ankle injury. If he plays, the Steelers backfield is an unpredictable timeshare.
• DK Metcalf is the alpha of the Steelers passing attack, but his upside has been limited by Rodgers short passing preference. He would get a bump if Mason Rudolph were under center.
• Darnell Washington is a massive human and played 71% of the snaps last week
• D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai are being used in a similar fashion to how Ben Johnson used his RBs in Detroit
• The Bears passing offense is spread out and has yet to have a game with 40 pass attempts this season.
• This is a meaningful game in the standings for both teams. Both teams are likely to try to limit their mistakes.

JM’S JOURNAL ::

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How pittsburgh Will Try To Win ::

The 6-4 Steelers come into Week 12 off a contentious, spit-laden win over division rival Bengals. Pittsburgh is clinging to a one-game lead in the AFC North. Their 6-4 record makes them the weakest division leader in the AFC, and if they were to fall out of first place in their division, they would quickly be on the outside looking in at the playoffs. With two games left against the Ravens, Pittsburgh can’t afford to lose any ground. Aaron Rodgers health is at the center of this game, with reports after last week’s game indicating that he has a small fracture in his non-throwing hand. He left the Bengals’ game and didn’t return, but early reports indicate that he is going to try to play. He is truly questionable. If he can’t go, the Steelers offense will be operated by local fan favorite Mason Rudoloph. It’s popular in Pittsburgh to say Rudolph should be a starter, but reality is that he is a mid-range QB2 who is capable of being functional in small doses. If he starts, it’s a downgrade to the offense. The Steelers have been passing (10th in PROE) more than Arthur Smith offenses of past seasons. They’ve been even more aggressive recently (7th in PROE over their last four games), which appears to be a compromise with Rodgers. They’ve been playing at a moderate pace (16th in seconds per play), which appears to be a compromise with Smith, since Rodgers-led offenses have typically used the entire play clock. The result has been a hybrid Smith/Rodgers conglomeration, but if Rodgers is forced to miss this game, there is a chance the offense will revert to Smith’s run-centric style. Rodgers’ health is of paramount importance to this game environment.

The Bears have been beatable (22nd in DVOA) on the ground, and through the air (17th in DOVA). Arthur Smith has long been a “we do our thing” coach, rather than a play caller who attacks his opponents’ weaknesses. The Bears profile similarly against the run and the pass, but are slightly more susceptible to the ground game, which furthers the chances that the Steelers will try to win by running the ball, especially if Rodgers can’t play. The Steelers O-line has been better than expectations (13th ranked by PFF), but they moved down three spots in the rankings after allowing seven pressures on 33 drop-backs against the Bengals lackluster pass rush. The main issue was RG Mason McCormick, who allowed four of those pressures. He was profiled as a strong run blocker and suspect pass protector coming out of college. He has proved to be that type of player in the NFL. The Steelers have an advantage in the trenches when it comes to run blocking, but their pass protection woes have largely been masked by Rodgers quick release. The Steelers are likely to try to win on the ground, unless forced to the air, especially if Rudolph starts.

How chicago Will Try To Win ::