This is a important match up for both teams today, teams that are going in opposite directions…The Packers have reeled off 5 consecutive wins, while the Steelers after a 5-2 start have now dropped 5 in a row and they are fighting for their playoff lives at 6-7 on the season….

Hines Ward is expected to play but Polamalu is expected to miss this game for the Steelers…In 3 of the Steelers recent 5 losses, they have lost to 3 of the weakest teams in the NFL, Cleveland 6-13 / Oakland 24-27 / Kansas City 24-17…

The weather is predicted to be bad and with both teams having a very staunch defense against the run, both giving up around 85 yards per game, they may need to go to a passing game which will not bode well with the weather.

Pittsburgh is only 3-9 against the spread this season when installed as favorite and at the time of this writing they are posted as 2.0 favorites. The total is currently at 40.5 and that may be a bit high, but then agains if they both open up the passing game it could be a bit low….Green Bay is 4-1 against the spread when playing teams with losing records.

Green Bay is averaging 27.3 point per game in their last 3 games, while Pittsburgh is averaging a measley 15.7 and that is against a couple of the weakest teams in the league…Green Bay has not turned the ball over in 4 of their last 5 games and averaging only .6 turnovers in that stretch. Pittsburgh on the other hand has 7 turnovers in their last 4 games.

It doesn’t look good for the Steelers in this one…they are at home which might help and they are most definetely in a “must win” situation…I believe this will be a very entertaining game…If the Steelers can stay away from the turnover, they could pull off the win….

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