NFL 2017: Who plays on Sunday Night Football in Week 12?
By Nick Sparrow
The Green Bay Packers will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football in Week 12 of the NFL season.
It is easy to see why the NFL scheduled a matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers for a primetime matchup on Sunday Night Football in Week 12. However, without Aaron Rodgers starting for the Packers this game lacks most of the allure it should have.
The Steelers are now 8-2, tied for the best record in the AFC, after defeating the Tennessee Titans 40-17 last Thursday for their fifth straight win. The Packers have now lost four of their last five games since Rodgers was injured, including a 23-0 defeat at home to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11.
Quarterback Brett Hundley threw three interceptions in Sunday’s game against the Ravens and the team’s starting running back Jamaal Williams rushed for just 57 yards on 18 carries, averaging only 3.2 yards per carry. Green Bay has now lost their starting quarterback and their top running backs to injury and they are three games behind in the NFC North, all but ending any hope of reaching the playoffs for ninth-consecutive season.
Despite being a backup, Hundley still underperformed since coming in to replace Rodgers. In his four starts this season, Hundley has just one passing touchdown compared to four interceptions.
Pittsburgh has really turned their season around since losing to Jacksonville Jaguars 30-9 at home in Week 5 when Ben Roethlisberger threw five interceptions and LeVeon Bell rushed for 47 yards on just 15 carries. Since that game, the Steelers have won five straight games and have a defense ranked fourth in yards allowed and second in points allowed.
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The Steelers and Patriots lead the AFC with 8-2 records. However, the Jaguars are just one game behind at 7-3 and with a tie-breaker over the Steelers already in hand, every win is important for a Pittsburgh team that is looking to not only secure a first-round bye but also home field advantage through the playoffs.