Packer-Steeler duel: Titletown vs. Steeltown

Three Rivers Stadium,
Pittsburgh, Pa.,
Monday, Nov. 9

AT A GLANCE: The national spotlight will shine on two of the NFL’s best small-market teams when the Packers travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in a Monday-night showdown.

The Packers (6-2) are coming off their second consecutive win, 36-22 over the 49ers, and are now within a game of the NFC Central-leading Vikings. The Steelers (5-3) were thumped by the Oilers last week 41-31, leaving them one game behind the first-place Jaguars in the AFC Central.

Packer head coach Mike Holmgren and Steeler head coach Bill Cowher have both been highly successful in Monday-night games. The Packers are 7-3 in Monday games under Holmgren, while the Steelers are 11-3 in Monday-nighters under Cowher.

WHEN THE PACKERS HAVE THE BALL:

Packer QB Brett Favre has thrown 15 interceptions this season, but the three-time MVP can be deadly even when he’s a bit sloppy. Favre threw three interceptions last week against the 49ers but also threw three TD passes, including a pair of bombs to WR Antonio Freeman. The Steelers will blitz Favre heavily, a gamble they hope will lead to Packer turnovers.

The Steeler cornerbacks can’t afford to make mistakes vs. Freeman and WR Robert Brooks. CB Carnell Lake is the Steelers’ top cover man, but he sprained his ankle last week, making his status for this game uncertain. Steeler CB Dewayne Washington is very familiar with the Packer passing attack, having faced it several times as a member of the Vikings, but Washington is often the cover man whom opposing quarterbacks choose to attack.

With RB Dorsey Levens injured, the Packer running game has sputtered at times, but RB Travis Jervey seems to be settling into the featured-RB role. Jervey ran for 95 yards and a TD last week against the Niners. Steeler ILB’s Levon Kirkland and Earl Holmes are sure tacklers who play big roles in stopping the run, but Kirkland is playing with an injured wrist, and Holmes is playing with a cast on his hand.

With Pittsburgh’s inside backers at less than 100 percent, the Steelers may need a big game from NT Joel Steed, an unsung hero who excels against the run. Packer C Frank Winters will go head-to-head with Steed throughout the game, but Winters will probably get ample double-team help from OG’s Adam Timmerman and Marco Rivera.