By Mark Eckel

When the Green Bay Packers travel to Pittsburgh, Sunday, they may be looking into a mirror.

It might be one of those fun house mirrors that distorts things, it will still be a mirror nonetheless.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who will host the Packers, Sunday, are averaging 16.6 points per game, with 78 of 132 points through eight games, coming in the second half.

That second-half difference is because of quarterback Kenny Pickett, who has a 108.5 quarterback rating in the fourth quarter, compared to a 75.3 rating through the first three quarters. That 108.5 is fourth best in the league; the 75.3 ranks 27th. Overall Pickett, who has six touchdown passes and four interceptions on the season, has a rating of 81.6.

If any of that sounds familiar it’s because you have been watching the Packers this season. The Packers have scored just 36 first-half points this year, compared with 66 in the third quarter alone and 124 in the second half.

Quarterback Jordan Love has thrown 10 of his 12 touchdown passes in the second half and averages 150.8 second-half yards compared to just 64.2 in the first half. His third-quarter QB rating is a league-best 124.3, compared to his overall rating of 81.9.

The difference in the two teams is their records. Green Bay, despite being a plus-1 in point differential, is 3-5 on the season. The Steelers, despite being outscored by a combined 30 points (163-133), are 5-3 on the season.

Here’s the rest of what you need to know for Sunday’s game.

All-Time: Packers lead the series 20-16, including a win in Super Bowl XLV. However, the Packers have lost the last five games played in Pittsburgh and have not won there since 1970.

Last Time: Oct. 3, 2021: Packers, 27-17.

Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes to Randall Cobb and ran in another as the Packers won at Lambeau.

Injuries: Packers: LB Quay Walker (groin) and CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. C Josh Myers (knee) did not practice Thursday.

Steelers: S Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring), DT Montravius Adams (ankle) did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. DT Cam Hayward (groin) and LB Elandon Roberts (knee) did not practice Thursday.

Key Matchups: Packers RT Zach Tom vs. Steelers LB T.J. Watt; Packers LT Yosh Nijman/Rasheed Walker vs. Steelers LB Alex Highsmith; Packers LB Rashan Gary vs. Steelers T Broderick Jones; Packers def. front vs. Steelers RB Najee Harris.

You might not know this, but the Packers could have drafted Watt, but traded down and took Kevin King instead. …While Watt will present problems, Highsmith, who has 4 1/2 sacks this year and had 14 1/2 last year is going to cause problems too, especially if Nijman can’t go. …Gary gets the Steelers No. 1 draft pick out of Georgia who they traded up ahead of the Jets to select. …Stopping Harris on early downs and making it tough on QB Kenny Pickett is crucial in this one.