PITTSBURGH – Acrisure Stadium was alive in Sunday Night Primetime as the Pittsburgh Steelers delivered their most complete offensive performance of the season, outlasting the Green Bay Packers in a high-scoring shootout, 58–48, in Week 8. Under the direction of head coach DK LaFleur, the Steelers improved to 4-3 on the year and 3-1 since LaFleur took over in Week 4, showcasing an offense firing on all cylinders and a defense that made splash plays when it mattered most.
The story of the afternoon centered on quarterback Desmond Ridder, who turned in a masterpiece. Ridder finished with 459 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a sparkling 88 percent completion rate, posting a near-perfect 155.7 passer rating. Just as importantly, he took care of the football. In his first four games under LaFleur, Ridder’s interceptions have dropped steadily from three, to two, to one, and finally to zero on Sunday. That steady improvement is not just a stat line but a sign of growth and maturity in a quarterback who is beginning to find his rhythm in black and gold.
“Desmond has put in the work,” LaFleur said after the game. “You can see it every week. He’s making better decisions, protecting the ball, and still pushing it down the field. That’s exactly the balance we want.”
Ridder’s brilliance was made possible by a supporting cast that answered the call. DK Metcalf was huge, turning 7 receptions into 176 yards and a touchdown. His combination of size and speed stretched Green Bay’s secondary to the breaking point, and time after time he delivered in key moments. Jonnu Smith also played a pivotal role, catching 7 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown, giving the Steelers a reliable option over the middle to complement Metcalf’s deep-threat dominance.
Then there was Calvin Austin, whose 6 receptions for 70 yards included two touchdowns. Austin’s quickness and ability to create separation in tight spaces proved to be the perfect counterpunch to Metcalf’s big-play presence, leaving the Packers’ defense scrambling to cover every blade of grass.
The running game added its own exclamation points. Rookie Nate Carter, continuing to build his reputation as one of the league’s most intriguing new faces, carried 16 times for 48 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Carter also added 79 yards receiving, once again flashing the versatility that made him such an appealing midseason pickup. Every carry he took seemed to wear down Green Bay’s defense, and his ability to contribute in the passing game kept drives alive.
Jaylen Warren brought the lightning to Carter’s steady drumbeat, rushing 3 times for 46 yards and a touchdown, including a burst that showcased his breakaway ability. Together, the two backs provided balance and gave LaFleur the flexibility to keep the Packers off guard.
Defensively, the Steelers reinforced the idea that the Steel Curtain is being rebuilt piece by piece, but the final score told a different story. Rookie safety Glendon Miller had a breakout performance, intercepting two passes and looking every bit like the rangy, intelligent centerfielder the Steelers envisioned when they drafted him. His instincts and speed were on full display, and his ability to flip the field was crucial in such a high-scoring battle. Darius Rush added one of the game’s most memorable highlights, forcing a fumble that T.J. Watt scooped and returned for a touchdown. Acrisure erupted as Watt crossed the goal line, capping off a sequence that embodied the Steelers’ defensive mantra: swarm, punish, and capitalize.
“Although it was high scoring, it felt like old-school Steelers football,” Watt said. “We made plays, we brought energy, and we fed off each other. That’s what it’s supposed to look like.”
But even in victory, LaFleur did not sugarcoat the defensive performance. “We cannot give up 48 points and call that acceptable,” he said bluntly. “Yes, we made big plays that swung the game, but down in and down out, we have to be better. That is not the standard.”
The Packers piled up points of their own, leaning on explosive plays and quick drives to stay within striking distance. Every time Green Bay threatened, Pittsburgh’s defense managed a turnover or momentum play, but the sheer volume of points allowed left plenty of questions to address heading into Week 9, as the Steelers know they are better than that.
For Steelers Nation, Sunday was more than just a victory. It was proof that this team is beginning to take shape under new leadership. Ridder’s improvement, Carter’s emergence, Metcalf’s dominance, and the defense’s knack for big moments all point to a squad that is not just surviving but growing stronger with each week. Still, the margin for error is slim, and if the defense does not tighten up, the next shootout might not end in Pittsburgh’s favor.
At 4-3, the Steelers are no longer a team trying to find themselves. They are a team with an identity, one forged in balance, explosiveness, and a defense that has the talent but must sharpen its consistency. The Steel Curtain may not yet be fully rebuilt, but in Week 8, fans got both a glimpse of the promise and a reminder of the work ahead.
Final score: Steelers 58, Packers 48.
– Forged In Steel Times
