Jordan Love Makes NFL History, Outshines Aaron Rodgers in Packers Victory
In a stunning Sunday Night Football matchup, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love outshone former Packers legend Aaron Rodgers, leading his team to a 35–25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Love’s performance wasn’t just a victory for the Packers—it was a personal milestone that placed him in the franchise’s history books.
Love completed 29 of 37 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns, registering an impressive passer rating of 134.2. His standout performance included tying Brett Favre’s franchise record for consecutive completions with 20, a feat that hadn’t been matched since 2007.
Tight end Tucker Kraft also made his mark in the game, catching seven passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite trailing 16–7 at halftime, the Packers came alive in the second half, outscoring the Steelers 28–9. Love orchestrated the comeback with poise and confidence, displaying leadership and maturity well beyond his years.
Defensive end Rashan Gary, who had a sack in the game, was full of praise for Love’s performance. “He’s him. Everybody in the league, if y’all not woke, please wake up. Get the crust out your eyes because he is him, and 10 is coming. Period,”
This victory not only marked a critical milestone in Love’s career but also symbolized the passing of the torch from Rodgers to Love as the franchise quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. With the Packers now 5-2, Love is starting to fulfill the immense potential that many had expected of him when he was drafted.
“I know I’ve got big shoes to fill, but I’m not trying to be Aaron,” Love added. “I’m just trying to be the best version of myself and help this team win championships.”
With the torch officially passed, Packers fans are now buzzing with excitement about what the future holds for Jordan Love and the team as they continue to build on this historic victory.
2 winners (and 5 losers) from 49ers' injury-plagued collapse vs. Texans
The San Francisco 49ers were resoundingly beat by the Houston Texans in Week 8, falling 26-15 at NRG Stadium in a bout head coach Kyle Shanahan subsequently described as the Texans having "kicked our ass."
He's not wrong.
The Niners failed to record a first down until just before halftime, while Houston ran long possession after long possession to fully dominate the time with the ball.
Adding injury to insult, San Francisco's deep injury woes continued with linebacker Dee Winters, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and defensive end Sam Okuayinonu all suffering injuries that forced them out of the game.
The Fox Sports broadcast crew couldn't help themselves but admit how, at some point soon, the 49ers are simply going to run out of healthy players, and it wasn't hyperbole.
Let's look at the game's winners and losers.
Winners
49ers tight ends
It's only fitting for the Niners' two best pass-catching tight ends, George Kittle and Jake Tonges, scored their team's only touchdowns on National Tight Ends Day.
For Kittle, it was only the second time he found the end zone this season after doing so way back in Week 1 before landing on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, giving way to Tonges becoming something of a household name among San Francisco fans.
But, good for Tonges, too, seeing as his prominence took a massive hit upon Kittle's return.
Sadly, this might have been the only positive for the 49ers.
Rest of NFC West
The Niners were the only NFC West team to play in Week 8, as the balance of the division had a bye.
And the other three teams -- the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals -- all gained ground on San Francisco without having to do a single thing.
The 49ers entered the week in first place with victories in hand over all three division rivals. While the Cardinals remain in last place with a 2-5 record, both the Rams and Hawks leapfrogged the Niners in the standings with just two losses apiece, meaning San Francisco is now looking up at both teams from third place.
Losers
WR Jauan Jennings
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings might have led his offense with four catches for 45 yards, but his Week 8 efforts will be remembered by that brutal drop in the second half on a deep pass from quarterback Mac Jones that bounced off his hands.
Jennings hasn't been anywhere near as reliable as he was a year ago, and despite playing with injuries for much of 2025, it appears the 49ers were wise not to cave to his recent contractual demands.
DB Upton Stout
At least rookie cornerback Upton Stout has the benefit of going through growing pains, and that maturation process continued in Week 8 with Houston having no issues targeting him -- eight times, and he gave up seven catches for 46 yards, according to Pro Football Focus.
That might not have been too bad, but Stout's pass-interference penalty on a 3rd-and-3 play that would have been an incomplete served to highlight the Niners' woes defending third down, thereby putting him into the losers list.
LB Dee Winters
Before exiting with injury, the Texans also made it a habit of targeting Winters in pass coverage to great effect -- eight times for eight catches allowed, including a touchdown.
With All-Pro Fred Warner out for the year, San Francisco's linebacker corps is wholly shorthanded and lacks any kind of serious thump, meaning underwhelming performances from Winters and Tatum Bethune are going to be magnified.
OL Connor Colby
Earlier this season, rookie guard Connor Colby was a nice little story, as the seventh-round draftee earned a roster spot and then got the nod to start on the left side of the offensive line when veteran Ben Bartch landed on injured reserve.
Colby has since shown why he wasn't drafted higher, and his Week 8 efforts highlighted this. Not only was the rookie responsible for a late-game false start, but he also ended up being benched for veteran backup Nick Zakelj for the final 19 snaps.
49ers pass rush
You know things are bad when the best pass-rusher on the roster is Okuayinonu, and even he wasn't able to play a full game.
With veteran edge Bryce Huff sidelined for at least another week, and All-Pro Nick Bosa out for the year, the 49ers have wholly struggled to generate any sort of consistent pressure from their front-four defenders, forcing coordinator Robert Saleh to rely more on manufactured pressure and blitzes.
It's not Saleh's calling card, but the sheer rash of injuries led to the Niners registering precisely zero sacks and two quarterback hits during the game.
