Packers Beat Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers

For the first time since leaving the Green Bay Packers after the 2022 season, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers faced his old team on October 26th. Rodgers was also up against Jordan Love, his successor at QB for the Packers.

In the first half, Rodgers had the edge, leading the Steelers to a 16-7 halftime lead. But as is often the case, the game was a story of two halves, and the Packers dominated the second half culminating in a 21 point fourth quarter and a 35-25 Green Bay victory. Rodgers completed 24 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns. But Love had the better performance, one reminiscent of Rodgers in his prime, completing 29 of 37 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns. Twenty of those completions were consecutive, tying a franchise record. Tight end Tucker Kraft had the best game of his career so far, with seven receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

Link to highlights

Green Bay improved to 5-1-1 and is on top in the NFC North race. Pittsburgh is 4-3, and leads the AFC North.

Now for some interesting trivia. The Packers don’t play the Steelers in Pittsburgh all that often, but the last time before this that Green Bay won in the Steel City was December 6th, 1970. In a matchup of future Hall of Fame quarterbacks, Green Bay s Bart Starr, nearing the end of his career, completed 14 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, and was intercepted twice. Pittsburgh rookie quarterback Terry Bradshaw was, well, not good in this one, completing just three of 20 passes for 110 yards, 87 of which came on a touchdown pass to Dave Smith. Green Bay intercepted Bradshaw 4 times. The Packers won 20-12.