The Green Bay Packers ended a 55-year drought in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-25 at Acrisure Stadium — their first win there since 1970. But this wasn’t just another road victory. It was the moment Jordan Love officially stepped out of Aaron Rodgers’s shadow and into the spotlight, in front of the very city where Rodgers once ruled. The game, played on October 26, 2025, wasn’t just about revenge or nostalgia. It was a passing of the torch — loud, clear, and undeniable.
Second-Half Surge Seals the Deal
Down 16-7 at halftime, the Packers looked like they were headed for another frustrating night on the road. The Steelers’ defense, despite ranking near the bottom of the NFL in total defense, had contained Love early. But then, something shifted. Love didn’t panic. He didn’t force throws. He just got better — and so did his teammates. He completed his first 16 passes of the second half. Four of them went for touchdowns. The Packers didn’t just score — they scored with surgical precision.
The turning point came on the first play of the fourth quarter. Josh Marcell Jacobs burst through a gap, powered past two defenders, and punched it in from three yards out. That was Green Bay’s first lead since the opening minutes. And then came the two-point conversion — a perfectly timed slant to Christian Watson, who returned from a torn ACL that ended his 2024 season. His block on the play? Pure grit. He cleared the lane for Jacobs like a man with something to prove.
What followed was a 21-point explosion — all unanswered. The Steelers, who’d been scoring 24.3 points per game in October, went silent. Zero points in the final quarter. Zero momentum. Zero answers.
Kraft Steals the Show — and the Spotlight
If Love was the conductor, Tucker James Kraft was the star soloist. The tight end, often overlooked in a league obsessed with speed, turned in the performance of his life: seven catches, 143 yards, two touchdowns. One was a 42-yard curl route where he outleaped two defenders. The other? A 19-yard fade in the end zone, perfectly placed by Love. Kraft didn’t just catch passes — he redefined what a modern tight end can do in a critical game.
"He’s not just a blocker anymore," said one Steelers defensive assistant after the game. "He’s a mismatch nightmare. And they’re letting him run free. That’s on us."
The Rodgers Reunion — and the Quiet Aftermath
Aaron Rodgers, wearing black and gold for the first time in Pittsburgh since signing with the Steelers in 2024, finished 24-of-35 for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He threw no interceptions. He moved the chains. He even had a beautiful 51-yard bomb to Diontae Johnson. But it wasn’t enough. Not when Love was completing 78% of his passes and leading four scoring drives in the second half.
"Disappointed I didn’t play better (and) that we didn’t play better, especially in the second half," Rodgers said postgame, his voice low but steady. There was no anger. No blame. Just honesty. And maybe, just maybe, acceptance.
For the Steelers, this was their third straight home loss to Green Bay — a team they used to dominate. Their defense, once feared, now looks disjointed. The throwback uniforms honoring the 1933 Pittsburgh Pirates? A nice nod to history. But the present? It’s a mess.
Defenders Speak: Love Is the Real Deal
Even opponents are starting to acknowledge it. Micah Parsons, the Steelers’ star linebacker who sacked Rodgers twice, didn’t hold back. "He’s showed he’s the successor," Parsons said. "I’m just so proud of him — everything he’s been through, how he’s developed as a player, as a person. He’s just playing some really good football right now."
And then there was Rashan Gary, the Packers’ defensive end, who didn’t wait for the press conference. He grabbed a mic in the locker room and shouted: "He’s him. Everybody in the line, if y’all not woke, please wake up. Get the crust out your eyes because he is him, and 10 is coming. Period."
It wasn’t just hype. It was truth dressed in swagger. Love, now 26, has completed 68% of his passes this season with 18 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He’s not just managing games — he’s commanding them.
What This Means for the Packers’ Season
With the win, Green Bay improved to 5-1-1 — their best start since 2020. They’ve won three straight road games, a rare feat for a team that’s often struggled away from Lambeau. The offense? Explosive. The defense? Still inconsistent, but improving. And the quarterback? No longer a question mark.
Next up: a Week 9 showdown against the Detroit Lions on November 2, 2025. The Lions are 6-0. The NFC North is tightening. But for the first time since Rodgers’ last MVP season, the Packers feel like contenders again — not because of legacy, but because of what’s happening right now.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
This wasn’t just a game. It was a cultural reset in Green Bay. For 19 years, Rodgers was the face of the franchise. His arm, his swagger, his legacy — it defined everything. Now, Love isn’t just filling his shoes. He’s carving out his own path. And the fans? They’re not just accepting it. They’re celebrating it.
When Love took his first snap in 2020, he was a project. A high pick with untapped potential. Today? He’s the reason the Packers are winning. And the Steelers? They’re left wondering how they let him go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Jordan Love’s performance compare to Aaron Rodgers’ in this game?
Love completed 29 of 37 passes (78.4%) for 360 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. Rodgers went 24-of-35 for 289 yards and two touchdowns, but his offense stalled in the fourth quarter while Love led four consecutive scoring drives. Love’s efficiency and poise under pressure were the difference — especially on third downs, where he converted 8 of 11 attempts.
What made Tucker Kraft’s game so significant?
Kraft’s seven receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns were career highs, and he became the first Packers tight end with 140+ yards and two TDs in a single game since Jermichael Finley in 2011. His ability to stretch the seam and win contested catches exposed Pittsburgh’s weak linebacker coverage — a matchup the Packers exploited relentlessly.
Why is Christian Watson’s return such a big deal?
Watson missed all of 2024 after tearing his ACL in the final game of the season. His return wasn’t just symbolic — he made a critical block on Jacobs’ go-ahead TD and caught the two-point conversion. He’s now the Packers’ most explosive deep threat, and his chemistry with Love is growing rapidly — something the offense desperately needed after losing Davante Adams.
What does this mean for Aaron Rodgers’ legacy with the Packers?
Rodgers remains a legend — 18 seasons, one MVP, two Super Bowls. But this game showed that Green Bay has moved on without bitterness. The organization didn’t replace him — they evolved. His emotional response — "disappointed I didn’t play better" — signals he respects the transition. His legacy is secure. But the future? It belongs to Love now.
How has the Packers’ defense improved since the start of the season?
After allowing 28+ points in three of their first four games, Green Bay’s defense has held opponents to 17 or fewer in three of the last four, including a fourth-quarter shutout against Pittsburgh. The secondary is more disciplined, and rookie safety Xavier McKinney has become a playmaker — recording his fourth interception this week.
What’s next for the Packers in the NFC North race?
With a 5-1-1 record, Green Bay is tied for first in the division with the Lions, who are 6-0. Their next game in Detroit on November 2 is essentially a de facto division title decider. If Love continues playing at this level, the Packers have the offense to keep pace — and the defense is starting to show the grit needed to win close games.