Aaron Rodgers’ first game against his former team was upstaged by the man who replaced him.
Rodgers, who won four NFL MVP awards and a Super Bowl during 18 seasons with Green Bay through 2022, was facing the Packers for the first time three seasons after having left on “Sunday Night Football.” It was a prime-time opportunity for Rodgers to become only the fifth quarterback in history to defeat all 32 NFL franchises.
He’ll have to wait, however, because this night belonged to his Packers successor, Jordan Love.
Love led five consecutive scoring drives during the second half to flip a 16-7 Pittsburgh Steelers halftime lead into a blowout Packers victory, 35-25.
Green Bay improved to 5-1-1 and remains one of two teams in the NFL with just one loss, with Indianapolis. Pittsburgh fell to 4-3.
Love completed 29 of 37 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns. At one point, he completed 20 consecutive passes, which tied Brett Favre’s 2007 performance for the most in franchise history.
It was a deflating performance for the second consecutive week by Pittsburgh’s defense, which had allowed Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco to throw for 342 yards and three touchdowns nine days earlier. Just as against Cincinnati, Pittsburgh’s defense again could not come up with ways to stop a primary receiver, with Packers tight end Tucker Kraft catching seven passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
Rodgers smiled as he embraced former Packers teammates and coaches during warmups before his 277th career game. Both Rodgers and the Packers had downplayed any notion of “revenge” in the days before the game, with Rodgers graciously remembering a tenure that ended sourly in 2023, ultimately in a trade to the New York Jets. This season, possibly his last in the NFL, Rodgers had played well in leading Pittsburgh to the top of the AFC North. Entering Sunday, he was on pace to throw 39 touchdown passes, which would surpass Ben Roethlisberger's franchise record of 34.
He initially helped four of the first five Steelers drives result in points. Yet four resulted in field goals by Chris Boswell, which wasn’t enough of a cushion to stave off a Green Bay comeback.
Rodgers finished 24-of-36 for 219 yards and two touchdowns, but Pittsburgh was ghastly in key situations, converting just one of its 10 third-down opportunities.
Final: Packers 35, Steelers 25
Micah Parsons finishes with one sack and helped harass Pittsburgh's offense, leading it to peter out down the stretch after some initial success.
Now, Pittsburgh's chances are slim to none
Pittsburgh's attempted onside kick was unsuccessful, which leaves only two minutes between Green Bay and a 5-1-1 start. With a loss, the Steelers would drop to 4-3.
Pittsburgh still has a chance
The Steelers find the end zone, but is it too little, too late? Aaron Rodgers found Roman Wilson across the middle for a 21-yard strike to pull within 35-25. On the two-point conversion Green Bay was called for pass interference, allowing another chance.
Given another opportunity, Rodgers threw quickly and appeared to find Jonnu Smith in the end zone — but his pass was never fully secured, keeping it a two-score game.
Green Bay tacks on another score
The Packers now lead 35-19 with 3:59 to play after turning a fumble recovery into three points. Pittsburgh is in a dire position to pull off a miracle and win this game.
Green Bay finally gets a turnover
The Packers had forced only three turnovers this season, second-fewest in the league, but they get a key fumble late in the fourth quarter to all but seal this road win.
After Packers score, it's crunch time for Pittsburgh
Green Bay scores points on its fourth straight drive to open the second half after a 28-yard field goal by Brandon McManus extends its lead to 32-19. The Steelers will take over with only five minutes to go. Jordan Love has been exceptional while completing 29 of his 36 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns.
Pittsburgh punts again
When they need points badly, Pittsburgh cannot come up with a drive that lasts longer than three plays. In fact, it went backward nine yards before the punt. And what to the Packers do with their very first play on the ensuing drive? They push downfield for their 19th first down.
Green Bay scores again
All three of Green Bay's drives after halftime have led to a touchdown, the latest ending after Tucker Kraft's 24-yard catch and run into the end zone for a 29-19 Packers lead. He has seven catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns on what is being called "National Tight Ends Day."
Pittsburgh isn't out of it, with 10:57 remaining in the game, but its chances will erode even further if it can't get a stop.
Steelers punt, then brawl
After Pittsburgh's punt (it's now 1-for-8 on third down) both teams got into a brief skirmish after some physical, hard coverage downfield between Green Bay's blockers and Pittsburgh's gunner. Will that wake up either team in what is still a close score?
And now Micah Parsons is making his presence felt
The Packers’ star pass rusher entered tonight with 5.5 sacks, and he just added to that total by taking down Aaron Rodgers for a 10-yard loss. Parsons is coming off a three-sack game against the Cardinals.
