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NFL Icon Troy Aikman Breaks Down 4 Reasons Why the Packers Will Defeat the Steelers in Week 8

Troy Aikman - ESPN Press Room U.S.

October 25, 2025


When the lights are brightest, great teams rise — and NFL legend Troy Aikman believes the Green Bay Packers are about to do just that.
In a detailed breakdown on Monday Night Countdown, the Hall of Fame quarterback highlighted four key reasons why the Packers are primed to take down the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.

“This team has turned the corner,” Aikman said. “They’re young, hungry, and finally playing with the kind of discipline you need to win tough games on the road.”


1. Jordan Love’s Growth and Confidence

The Packers’ offense has found its rhythm behind the steady play of Jordan Love, who’s thrown for 7 touchdowns and just 1 interception over the past three games. His pocket awareness, quick decision-making, and improved timing with Christian Watson and Jayden Reed have elevated Green Bay’s passing attack.

“Love’s playing with command now,” Aikman explained. “He’s not reacting — he’s dictating. That’s the sign of a quarterback who’s starting to own the game.”

Meanwhile, the Steelers’ secondary has struggled against mobile quarterbacks this season, allowing multiple 300-yard games through the air — a vulnerability Love is well-positioned to exploit.


2. The Return of Aaron Jones

Healthy and hungry, Aaron Jones has reignited the Packers’ offense. His dynamic running style keeps defenses honest, and his ability to catch passes out of the backfield adds another layer to Green Bay’s attack.

Jones recorded 120 total yards and two touchdowns last week, showing flashes of his Pro Bowl form.

“When Aaron Jones is rolling, the whole team feeds off that energy,” Aikman noted. “He’s the heartbeat of this offense — and right now, it’s beating strong.”


3. Defensive Revival and Relentless Pressure

Coordinator Jeff Hafley has the Packers’ defense firing on all cylinders. Rashan Gary and Preston Smith have combined for 10 sacks in the past four games, while Jaire Alexander’s return has solidified the secondary.

The Steelers’ offensive line, on the other hand, remains shaky, allowing Kenny Pickett to be sacked 19 times this season.

“This Green Bay front is aggressive and disciplined,” Aikman said. “They’re playing fast, they’re playing smart, and they’re hunting the football. That’s championship DNA right there.”


4. Intangibles: Momentum, Belief, and Team Chemistry

Perhaps the biggest shift in Green Bay isn’t on the stat sheet — it’s in the locker room.
Aikman praised Matt LaFleur for stabilizing a young team that’s now buying into its identity. After back-to-back wins, the Packers’ confidence is soaring, and the chemistry between the offense and defense has never been tighter.

“They’re starting to believe in each other,” Aikman said. “You can see it in how they celebrate, how they communicate, how they finish plays. That’s what winning football looks like.”

With energy high and momentum on their side, the Packers are marching into Week 8 with purpose — and Aikman believes they’re ready to make a statement.

“This is the kind of game that defines who you are,” he concluded. “And right now, Green Bay looks like a team ready to prove something.”


🔥 Prediction: Packers 27 – Steelers 17
Green Bay climbs back into the playoff race — and Troy Aikman’s faith in the young squad might just be the spark that keeps their season alive.

Packers' Star QB Refuses MVP Title to Fully Focus on Team in Tough Phase
Can you believe it? Jordan Love, the "red-hot" quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, is on track to compete for MVP with +1000 odds at DraftKings – but this guy is "refusing" personal glory to pour all his energy into the team struggling with a "hellish" schedule! Is this a heroic act or just a ploy? Read now to uncover the "truth" behind it! In the Super Bowl era, the Packers have produced three MVP legends: Bart Starr (1966), Brett Favre (1995-1997), and Aaron Rodgers (2011, 2014, 2020, 2021). Now, Jordan Love has a chance to become the fourth, putting the Packers on par with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts – the only team with four QB MVPs like Johnny Unitas, Earl Morrall, Bert Jones, and Peyton Manning. With his current "explosive" form, Love ranks fourth in the NFL for passer rating (105.4), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), with only four interceptions – the fewest among QBs starting all 13 games, and a 67.1% completion rate ranking seventh. But instead of "dreaming" of MVP, Love seems to be "rejecting" it! In a recent interview, he emphasized: "These are the most important games of the season, obviously with a lot of things coming down to playoff seeding and the division race, so this is the important football. I think it’s everybody, we keep stacking and keep getting better and better throughout the season and learn from the mistakes we make and overcome some of the obstacles. Just keep stacking and trying to find ways to get better every day is something that’s been helping us." These words are like a clear "declaration": Love doesn't care about MVP, but only wants to focus on the team in its "tough phase" with a 9-3-1 record, trailing the Rams (10-3) in the NFC. Head coach Matt LaFleur also "sings along": "Yeah, he’s playing really good football right now. That’s obviously important and it’s going to be important moving forward." And offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich praises the consistency: "I would say just the consistency that he’s had has been great... Just being a consistent, efficient quarterback is one thing that I’ve been really pleased with." But it's Packers defensive end Micah Parsons who "reveals" why Love deserves but is "overlooking" MVP: "I definitely think he deserves recognition... If you go off strength of schedule, how he's played and with him missing half his receivers, I think that goes unnoticed, too. Some of the things he did without (Christian Watson) early in the year, then (Jayden Reed), so this guy was missing two of his starting receivers majority of the year and they're just now getting back in these last eight weeks of the stretch, so I definitely think he deserves a lot more credit and I'm just happy I'm able to be a part of this journey with him." Currently, Matthew Stafford of the Rams leads the MVP race with -180 odds, 35 touchdown passes (far ahead of Dak Prescott with 26), passer rating 113.1, and only four interceptions. Drake Maye of the Patriots follows with +200, passer rating 111.9, 3,412 passing yards, and 23 touchdowns. Love, with a four-game winning streak (nine touchdowns, one interception, passer rating 112.1), could stage a comeback if he maintains "red-hot form" – especially in the upcoming two "epic" games: away at Denver (11-2) and Chicago (9-4). If the Packers leap to the NFC's No. 1 seed (likely needing a 4-0 finish), while the Rams stumble against Detroit (8-5) and Seattle (10-3), or the Patriots slip against Buffalo (9-4) and Baltimore (6-7), Love would have a shot at MVP. But with his "humble" attitude, does Love really want to "accept" that title? Or is he sacrificing personally to save the Packers from the "tough phase"? The 2025 NFL drama is "hotter than ever"! Do you think Love is "playing a trick" to motivate the team? Comment now and follow for the "shocking" outcome of the MVP race!