The Green Bay Packers’ offense will face one of its toughest challenges of the season when they visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football.
After back-to-back wins, the Packers aim to keep their spot atop the NFC North, but this matchup pits Jordan Love and Matt LaFleur’s unit against one of the NFL’s most ferocious defenses — a hallmark of Steelers football under coordinator Teryl Austin.
Read more: Packers Hold Steady in NFL Power Rankings as Concerns Remain)
Oct 1, 2017; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt (90) defends a pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Matt LaFleur Praises Steelers’ Aggressive Defense
Speaking with reporters this week, LaFleur made it clear he has immense respect for Pittsburgh’s defensive identity.
“I think they’ve gotten much more aggressive with their scheme,” LaFleur said. “There’s a lot more man coverage than we saw a few years ago. They’ve feasted on sacks and takeaways — there’s a lot of carnage in the backfield every week.”
The Steelers’ defense — powered by T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and a relentless linebacker group — ranks among the league leaders in both sacks and turnovers.
(Related: Matt LaFleur Breaks Silence on Packers’ Offensive Turnaround)
For context, NFL.com’s Week 8 Preview notes that Pittsburgh has forced nine takeaways in its past three games — the most in the AFC.
Source: NFL.com – Packers vs. Steelers Game Preview
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Packers’ Offensive Line Needs Another Dominant Outing
Last week’s win over the Arizona Cardinals showcased one of the Packers’ best offensive line performances of the season.
Green Bay’s protection gave Jordan Love time to connect with Christian Watson and Jayden Reed, while Josh Jacobs provided key balance in the ground game. To keep that momentum alive, they’ll need a similar — if not stronger — effort against Pittsburgh’s elite front seven.
(Also read: Packers’ Nate Hobbs Trade Rumor Heating Up Ahead of Deadline)
Meanwhile, LaFleur’s defense — led by Rashan Gary and recent addition Micah Parsons — continues to rank among the league’s most improved units, a testament to Brian Gutekunst’s roster-building.
(Story: Micah Parsons’ Impact Transforming Packers’ Defense)
Oct 12, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) reacts with cornerback Carrington Valentine (24) after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
Ball Security the Key to Extending Win Streak
With the Steelers thriving on turnovers, ball security will be paramount for Love and Jacobs. Green Bay has gone three straight games without a lost fumble — a trend they’ll need to continue in Pittsburgh.
As LaFleur put it, “We know they’ll come after the football. We have to protect it if we want to keep this streak alive.”
A victory on the road Sunday night wouldn’t just extend the Packers’ win streak to four — it would cement their place as a legitimate NFC contender capable of winning in any environment.
(For context: ESPN ranks Packers among NFC’s top 5 teams entering Week 8)
Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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