Bowles Calls Aaron Rodgers a 'Nightmare' as Buccaneers Plan Creative Pressure

Overview

• The Steelers visit Tampa Bay on Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT on CBS in Week 6, a matchup framed as a tactical chess match between Rodgers and Todd Bowles.
• Bowles said preparing for Rodgers is "a nightmare," citing Rodgers' football IQ, accuracy and ability to read defenses before the snap.
• Analytics cited by analysts show Rodgers completes about 53% of passes and faces a roughly 15.7% sack rate when blitzed this season, with a higher interception rate when extra rushers arrive.
• Rodgers arrives on a three-game streak of three touchdown passes and has passed Peyton Manning on the career passing TD list, while Tampa Bay will start undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels with Baker Mayfield injured.
• Bowles' history of disguising pressures has produced mixed but notable success against Rodgers and could force Pittsburgh to change protection and route designs, which would affect how Rodgers and injured receivers are used in the game plan.