Watch: Rodgers hits Metcalf on quick-slant for Steelers touchdown

Following every NFL game in 2025, Steel City Underground parses the best plays from the Pittsburgh Steelers to highlight for Steelers Nation fans to rewatch, complete with what led up to the big play(s).

The outcome of the NFL Week 8 primetime game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium didn’t end the way the Steelers wanted. In the second week in a row, Pittsburgh dealt with adversity – some of their own making, some not – and stumbled into a loss, 35-25.

Not everything was a bust, however. In the first half of the Sunday Night Football game, the Steelers put the first points on the scoreboard and followed that up with two more before Aaron Rodgers connected with D.K. Metcalf to enter the halftime period on top, 16-7.

The Steelers offense was challenged by heavy pressure, led by Packers defensive end Micah Parsons as Rodgers faced the team he’d begun his NFL career with. The offensive line held up relatively well, despite allowing three sacks; Rogers ran into two of the loss of yardage due to the persistent pressure applied.

Remaining composed, Rodgers methodically spread the ball around in an attempt to keep the Packers defense from simply keying-off from a stacked box. In the game, he completed passes to eight different skill players and even flipped a checkdown pass to tackle eligible Spencer Anderson for the lineman’s first career reception.

In the second quarter, Rodgers worked the Steelers offense down the field from their own 16 yard line on a 9 play drive. Starting with runs from Jaylen Warren, Rodgers found Calvin Austin III – returned from injury – for a 7 yard catch and run. Kenneth Gainwell then ripped off a 14 yard run to take the game clock to the 2-minute warning.

After a short run by Gainwell and an incomplete pass to Austin, Rodgers targeted Austin again deep right that drew a defensive pass interference penalty on Keisean Nixon of the Packers for a spot foul that gave the Steelers a 21 yard play, enforced at the Green Bay 36 yard line and was called a no play.

Repeating 2nd down, Warren carried the ball off the left guard gap for a 3 yard gain before Rodgers targeted Metcalf for a 10 yard pass completion and run to the Green Bay 15 before the receiver was pushed out of bounds.

With 34 seconds left on the clock, the Steelers lined up at the Green Bay 2 yard line. In the huddle before the play, Rodgers communicated something to the big-bodied receiver. Line up in a heavy set to the left, Rodgers faked the handoff to Warren and threw a quick-strike to Metcalf on a short slant, putting the ball in front of the receiver where he was able to block out the Packers defender for the first Steelers touchdown of the game.