Aaron Rodgers suffers defeat in game against his long-time franchise. The Packers give the Steelers no chance.

This is probably not how Aaron Rodgers imagined his first encounter with his long-time franchise would go. The four-time NFL MVP lost 25-35 with the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Green Bay Packers in the Sunday Night Game on the eighth match day. With 24 of 36 passes completed for 219 yards and two touchdowns, the 41-year-old did not perform badly, but it was still not enough against the Cheeseheads.
Two players in particular turned up the heat against his former team. His successor at quarterback, Jordan Love, shone with 29 completed passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns.

Tight end Tucker Kraft also delivered on National Tight End Day, converting seven receptions into 143 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Savion Williams also found themselves in the end zone with a touchdown for the Packers.

High praise for Jordan Love

“I just wanted to come out here and focus on getting the win, block out all the distractions and just be the player I need to be,” Love said after the game. Teammate Micah Parsons said Love showed “why he’s the successor [to Rodgers].”

And head coach Matt LaFleur added: “He was in top form. That’s why we wanted to keep throwing the ball.”

Meanwhile, for predecessor Rodgers, the home game in Pittsburgh was anything but enjoyable. The Steelers were unable to put up enough of a fight against Green Bay.

Steelers not strong enough against Packers

The hosts were kept in the game by kicker Chris Boswell, who sank four field goals between the goalposts. Although the Steelers were leading 16-7 at one point after three field goals and a touchdown pass from Rodgers to DK Metcalf, their performance was not good enough, especially in the second half.

On an important drive, Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell fumbled the ball, which the Packers’ defense gratefully seized. Meanwhile, the Steelers’ defense was unable to put Love and Co. under serious pressure. As a result, they failed to force a turnover for the third game in a row.

Rodgers, who seemed to visibly enjoy reuniting with countless Packers players and staff members before the game, was sobered afterward: “I’m disappointed that I didn’t play better — and that we didn’t play better, especially in the second half.”

With a record of five wins, one tie, and one loss, the Packers lead the NFC North, while the Steelers remain at the top of the AFC North with four wins and three losses.