Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 35-25 Win Over the Steelers in Week 8

The Green Bay Packers played a strong second half and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-25. Jordan Love outdueled Aaron Rodgers and Tucker Kraft caught seven passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Packers to victory. The win improves the Packers record to 5-1-1 while the Steelers fall to 4-3. Here are 10 things we learned from the Packers 35-25 win over the Steelers in Week 8:

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 35-25 Win Over with the Steelers, Number One: Jordan Love Outdueled Aaron Rodgers

Love played his best game of the season. He finished the game by completing 29-of-37 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns. He did not throw an interception. That gave Love a quarterback rating of 134.2. Keep in mind his receivers dropped three passes in the first half alone that would have kept drives alive.

At one point, Love connected on 20 consecutive completions. He made some off-balance throws in the teeth of the Steelers pass rush that went for large gains downfield.

Love kept his cool and made big plays and smart plays. The moment was not too big for him, and he showed the nation how good he can be in this game. The Packers gained 454 yards of total offense and scored on their first five drives of the second half.

Number Two: Tucker Kraft Was a Game Breaker

If you’re debating who the best tight end in the NFL is right now, you have to include Kraft in the conversation. Kraft not only caught a career-high seven passes for 143 yards (also a new career-best), but he caught two touchdowns in the game.

The former South Dakota State star can turn a short pass into a long gain. Kraft has established himself as one of the best tight ends in the league at picking up yards after the catch. His is also now getting downfield for bigger gains as he continues to mature as a player.

Kraft also came through in the clutch, converting on a key fourth down play to keep a drive alive.

As of right now, he looks like the favorite to earn Pro Bowl honors and could be All Pro if he continues to play at this level all season.

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 35-25 Win Over the Steelers, Number Three: Emanuel Wilson Stepped Up

Josh Jacobs struggled to run the football against the Steelers who crowded the box and were geared up to stop him. He also may still be dealing with the aftereffects of the injury that limited him last week.

Jacobs carried 13 times for just 33 yards in this game although he did run for a touchdown.

In the second half, Matt LaFleur started playing backup Emanuel Wilson more often and he gave the running game the spark it needed.

Wilson finished the game with 61 yards on just 11 carries, a healthy 5.5-yard average per rush. He also caught three passes for 26 yards.

Wilson served as the catalyst for the Green Bay rushing attack which had been limited to just 19 yards in the first half. He did what a backup is supposed to which is step up when the starter is having an off game.

Number Four: The Packers Pass Rush Got Pressure

The Packers knew they had to get pressure on Rodgers to limit his effectiveness, and they managed to get the job done. Rashan Gary recorded two sacks while Micah Parsons added one. But more importantly, the defense recorded five hits and numerous pressures and prevented Rodgers from throwing downfield for most of the game.

Meanwhile, Love wasn’t sacked at all in this game. When the Steelers did get pressure on Love, he was able to avoid the rush and get a throw and often managed to complete it.

In a game that was billed as a duel between two great quarterbacks, the Packers defense won the battle to reduce the quarterback’s effectiveness by putting pressure on the passer.

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 35-25 Win Over the Steelers, Number Five: Christian Watson Contributed in His First Game Back

Christian Watson returned to the lineup for the first time this season and made in immediate impact. The most obvious play came on a 33-yard catch downfield that Love somehow managed to get off under pressure. Watson also did a good job of adjusting to the ball in the air.

Watson finished the game with four catches on four targets for 85 yards. He also made a key block that sealed the edge on Jacobs’ touchdown run.

Watson adds more elements to the Green Bay offense, as a downfield threat, a blocker and by creating time and space for teammates.

Number Six: Brandon McManus Started Slowly

Kicker Brandon McManus returned to the lineup after missing the last two games with a quad injury. He got off to a slow start, missing two field goals in the first half including a 44-yard effort on the final play of the second quarter.

Had McManus made one of those two tries, it would have been a one-score game at the intermission. If he had made them both, it would have been a three-point game.

McManus connected on both of his field goal tries in the second half and did a solid job on kickoffs. Hopefully, the misses were more due to rust than anything else. The Packers were fortunate the misses didn’t cost them in this game.

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 35-25 Win Over the Steelers, Number Seven: Quay Walker Showed Maturity

Linebacker Quay Walker played a strong game for the Packers and showed some maturity in the process. Walker was in on five total tackles and broke up two passes. He had the speed to drop back into coverage and stay with receivers.

But Walker also showed maturity in a key situation. Early in the fourth quarter with the Packers up 29-19, Steelers wideout DK Metcalf deliberately poked Walker in the eye after the whistle to try to start a fight and draw a penalty. Walker walked away and Metcalf was called for the personal foul.

Walker was ejected from games twice during his rookie season for losing his temper. He showed maturity against the Steelers by walking away when Metcalf tried to go Three Stooges and poke him in the face.

Number Eight: Keisean Nixon Struggled Early

Keisean Nixon struggled in this game, especially in the first half. His tackling continues to be lackluster. On one play, he was completely turned around and allowed a key third-down conversion. He was also flagged for a 25-yard pass interference call that gave the Steelers a first down on third and long.

Furthermore, when Nixon was called upon to return a punt, he muffed the ball. Only an alert play by Zayne Anderson allowed the Packers to retain possession.

While he was a bit better in the second half, this was the second consecutive disappointing performance by the player the Packers are counting on to be their top cover corner.

Ten Things We Learned from the Packers 35-27 Win Over the Steelers, Number Nine: The Defense Dominated on Third Down

Third downs are vital in the NFL. Winning teams usually do a better job of converting them while losing teams struggle.

Against an experienced and talented quarterback like Rodgers, the Green Bay defense held the Steelers to just 1-of-10 on third down.

The Steelers helped by committing some penalties that put them in third-and-long situations. But the Packers defense rallied to the ball to make tackles and put consistent pressure on Rodgers on third downs to keep them from sustaining drives.

In the second half, the Steelers were 0-for-5 on third downs which helped the Packers pull away and earn the win.

Number 10: Can’t Let Up After a Strong Road Win

After winning two straight on the road, the Packers return to Lambeau Field next week to face the Carolina Panthers. Carolina has surprised a lot of people by going 4-4 so far this season although they were blown out by the Bills this weekend.

The Packers cannot afford to suffer a letdown against an NFC opponent, especially with the Lions just half a game behind them in the standings.

The Packers are maturing before our eyes and need to keep going next week in a game they should win. This was an emotional road win against a quality opponent, and the Packers need to continue to build on it.