VT. HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AWAITS: Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers Poised to Make NFL History in Emotional Clash Against His Former Team, the Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers could make history against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has already passed some all-time great quarterbacks in the record books early this season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Sunday against his former team, Rodgers will have an opportunity to tie a mark that can’t be surpassed.
If Rodgers leads the Steelers to a victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, the veteran signal-caller will have a regular season win against all 32 NFL franchises.
Only four quarterbacks have accomplished that feat in league history — Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees and Tom Brady.
Sunday will be the first time Rodgers faces the Packers in his career. The signal-caller spent 18 years in Green Bay. During his tenure, he won four MVP awards and led the franchise to a fourth Super Bowl title.
In 230 regular season games with the Packers, Rodgers posted a 147-75-1 record as a starter. He also tossed 475 touchdowns and threw for 59,055 yards.
Aaron Rodgers Set to Face Packers on Sunday Night Football
Rodgers already had a grudge match in the season opener. That was against the New York Jets, who traded for the veteran quarterback from the Packers two years ago.
The Jets released Rodgers in March. The quarterback voiced that he didn’t care for how the move happened over the offseason, which led to ill-will at least from the quarterback.
Rodgers squaring off against the Packers won’t quite have the same drama. But it’s arguably a bigger deal since his tenure was so long in Green Bay.
Rodgers’ 475 touchdowns with the Packers is third most for any quarterback with a single team in NFL history. His 59,000-plus passing yards also ranks in the top 10 for signal-callers with one franchise.
Rodgers’ four MVP awards is second only to Manning in NFL history. Rodgers is also tied with Manning for the most MVP awards with one team.
Entering Week 8, Rodgers is one of seven quarterbacks with wins against 31 teams. One of those seven other quarterbacks is Ben Roethlisberger, who defeated every team in the league except the Steelers.
Obviously, Roethlisberger never played against the Steelers in his career.
Steelers-Packers Battle of First-Place North Teams
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur set the tone for the week Monday when he addressed facing his first starting quarterback as a head coach.
“We’re playing the Pittsburgh Steelers, who happen to have Aaron Rodgers,” LaFleur told reporters Monday. “It’s as simple as that. That is for you guys to talk about.”
It’s likely the Steelers coaching staff and players, including even Rodgers, will feel that way too.
Coming off a loss against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers will be trying to avoid consecutive defeats for the first time this season on Sunday night. With a win, Pittsburgh can also maintain its healthy lead in the AFC North.
Things can change quickly in the NFL. But through seven weeks, the NFC North has been more competitive than the AFC’s northern division.
Every team in the NFC North is at least .500. The Detroit Lions won again Monday night to move within percentage points of the Packers.
Green Bay must win to remain ahead of the Lions, who will be on a bye during Week 8.
The Steelers-Packers matchup will kick off at 8:20 pm ET on NBC/Peacock.
Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs in a league of his own with blazing TD runs
Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs proved he’s one of the fastest running backs in the NFL on MNF. He topped 22 miles per hour on his long TD run.
The Detroit Lions are now 5-2 after getting a huge win on Monday Night Football. Detroit beat Tampa Bay 24-9 in a dominant defensive effort by both teams. But it was Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs who made the difference and led his team to victory.
Gibbs had an incredible game on Monday night. He proved that he’s one of the fastest backs in the NFL on his longest run of the evening.
“Gibbs’ top speed was 22.2 mph, the fastest rushing TD by an offensive ball carrier this season, per Next Gen Stats,” ESPN’s Eric Woodyard wrote. “He is the only player over the past three seasons to reach 22 mph on a rushing touchdown, and he has done it twice now, including on a 70-yard touchdown versus the Titans in 2024.”
Gibbs had 17 carries for 136 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He also added three receptions for 82 yards in the receiving game.
Detroit has thrived with Sonic and Knuckles at running back over the past few years. But Gibbs seems to be completely taking over the backfield under new offensive coordinator John Morton.
It is hard to argue with that approach, as Gibbs is proving to be one of the best backs in the game.
Detroit’s offense is built around Gibbs and he continues to reward the team with big games.
Lions defense dominates Buccaneers despite mountain of injuries
Gibbs made the difference for the Lions, but the defense is the real headline after Monday Night Football.
Detroit’s defense only allowed 251 total yards despite missing their entire starting secondary. The Lions were without Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, D.J. Reed, and Terrion Arnold on top of a handful of reserve players.
As a result, the Lions were forced to start players like Rock Ya-Sin, Arthur Maulet, Thomas Harper, and Erick Hallett during an important primetime game.
Those players made the most of the opportunity, clamping down on Tampa’s passing attack and forcing multiple turnovers.
The Lions did get Alim McNeill back on the defensive line, and he immediately made his presence felt.
Detroit enters its bye week, giving them some extra time to get healthy on defense.
Next up for the Lions is a Week 9 matchup against the Vikings on November 2nd after their bye week.
