Every great NFL season has its share of storylines that feel bigger than football. This week, that spotlight falls squarely on Aaron Rodgers. For nearly two decades, he was the face of the Green Bay Packers franchise. Rodgers was known as the master of the frozen tundra and the author of countless unforgettable Sundays. This time, though, Rodgers stands on the opposite sideline. On Sunday Night Football in Week 8, he leads the Pittsburgh Steelers into battle against the Green Bay Packers, the team he once defined.
Rodgers’ return sets the stage for a primetime chess match
It’s a clash loaded with subtext. It's not really about bitterness, but rather about history. Rodgers insists he has ‘no animosity' toward his old team. Of course, the competitive fire that made him great will surely burn brighter than usual under the lights at Acrisure Stadium. The Packers (4-1-1) come in riding momentum after a narrow 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the Steelers (4-2) are licking their wounds from a 33-31 loss to Cincinnati. With Green Bay entering as a 3.5-point favorite according to some experts, this isn’t just another primetime game. It's a measuring stick for both franchises’ new eras.
Here we'll try to look at and discuss the Green Bay Packers most to blame for their Week 7 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers.
Packers passing attack must target the Steelers’ biggest flaw
Pittsburgh’s defensive pedigree is littered with big names, massive salaries, and the fearsome front seven. However, the secondary remains its Achilles’ heel. Through six games, the Steelers rank near the bottom of the NFL in passing yards allowed and have struggled mightily against tight ends in particular. That’s where the Packers’ opportunity lies.
The biggest matchup the Packers must exploit in this Week 8 clash is their passing offense against the Steelers’ pass defense, specifically through tight end Tucker Kraft. The Steelers have been torched all season by opposing tight ends. They have gived up chunk plays and red-zone scores at an alarming rate. Their coverage schemes have been static, and linebackers Payton Wilson, Cole Holcomb, and Patrick Queen, while athletic, have had difficulty reading route combinations in play-action looks.
Kraft, meanwhile, has been quietly reliable. He is a safety blanket for Jordan Love, who’s thrown 10 touchdowns and only three turnovers through six games. Against Arizona, Kraft was pivotal. He hauled in a crucial touchdown early in the fourth quarter and later converted a gutsy fourth-and-2 that set up the game-winner. He doesn’t post gaudy numbers. Still, his timing, toughness, and chemistry with Love have made him a stabilizing force in Green Bay’s balanced attack.
The blueprint: establish the run to unleash the middle of the field
The formula for Green Bay is straightforward. That said, execution will be everything. The Packers’ ground game, anchored by Josh Jacobs, must command respect early. That’s the key to neutralizing Pittsburgh's TJ Watt and Nick Herbig. That pair ha combined for 8.5 sacks and thrive on collapsing the edge. When Green Bay successfully establishes the run, it freezes those linebackers just long enough for Love to attack the seams. This is where Kraft and slot receiver Matthew Golden can do their damage.
This isn’t a defense to take lightly. Cameron Heyward remains a disruptive force on the interior. Newly acquired Jalen Ramsey brings star power and leadership to the secondary. However, Ramsey’s arrival hasn’t fixed Pittsburgh’s communication issues or its tendency to give up explosive plays over the middle. The Steelers are 28th in total defense and 31st against the pass. They are ahead of only Dallas, which is a defense the Packers shredded just a few weeks ago.
That’s the mismatch the Packers need to hammer. When Love uses play action effectively, the field opens up. That's when Kraft becomes lethal. Expect head coach Matt LaFleur to dial up early crossers and tight end leaks. That will force the Steelers’ safeties into difficult reads. If Green Bay can dictate tempo through those short-to-intermediate routes, they’ll keep Watt guessing. That will slow down Pittsburgh’s pass rush as well.
Why Tucker Kraft could be the X-factor
For all the headlines that go to quarterbacks and big-name wideouts, this game could hinge on a tight end battle that flies under the radar. Tucker Kraft versus the Steelers’ linebackers and safeties is the kind of chess match that decides games between evenly matched teams.
Kraft’s ability to find soft spots and keep the chains moving will be critical in sustaining drives. That would and wearing down the Steelers’ front seven. When Green Bay feeds Kraft early, it opens opportunities for Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden to attack deeper routes off play action. If the Packers can exploit that pattern, it could force Pittsburgh into uncomfortable adjustments. That should open up the floodgates for Love’s best statistical game of the season.
The Rodgers factor
Yes, all eyes will naturally gravitate toward Rodgers’ return. That said, the Packers can’t afford to make this about nostalgia. The Steelers’ offense, while potent at times, has shown vulnerability against pressure. Green Bay’s defense should capitalize on that. On the flip siode, the Packers’ real edge comes from their ability to attack with balance. They should run enough to stay honest and pass efficiently enough to control the game’s rhythm.
Rodgers, of course, will do everything in his power to spoil that plan. He’s cerebral, surgical, and still capable of brilliance in big moments. However, the Packers’ best counter is execution. If Love stays poised and exploits the Steelers’ defensive soft spots, Green Bay can turn this ‘revenge' game into a statement win about its own identity post-Rodgers.
Final thoughts
The Steelers’ defense looks menacing on paper. However, paper doesn’t cover blown coverages, missed tackles, and mental lapses. The Packers’ passing offense has the tools, timing, and balance to exploit those flaws. This isn’t about airing it out recklessly; it’s about attacking surgically, with Tucker Kraft as the centerpiece.
If Green Bay protects Jordan Love and gets consistent production from the tight end position, the Steelers’ vaunted defense will crack under pressure. And if that happens, the Packers might just walk out of Acrisure Stadium with proof that their future is now.
