Packers stun Steelers 35-25 in Aaron Rodgers' return to Pittsburgh

Sunday Night Football offered an emotional night at Acrisure Stadium, where the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Green Bay Packers in the long-awaited return of Aaron Rodgers .

However, the story didn't end as the veteran quarterback would have liked: the Packers won 35-25, breaking a streak of more than five decades without a win in that city.

Rodgers , who forged his legend for nearly 20 years with Green Bay , started the game with good rhythm, leading two drives that ended in points and giving a 16-7 lead at halftime.

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But Pittsburgh 's defense collapsed after the break, and Jordan Love's offense found its footing with an explosive second half.

THE SETTINGS THAT CHANGED THE GAME

Coach Matt LaFleur restructured the offense after the break and exploited the opponent's perimeter weaknesses. Tucker Kraft was the offensive star with a 59-yard reception that turned the score around and sparked the comeback.

The defense, meanwhile, constantly pressured Rodgers , forcing errors at crucial moments.

A fumble by Kenneth Gainwell in the fourth quarter sealed the Steelers' fate. Green Bay took advantage of the loose ball to score and extend the lead to two possessions, as the clock ran out amid boos from the home crowd.

THERE WAS NO 'REVENGE' FROM AARON RODGERS

The return of the legendary quarterback was one of the most talked-about topics of the week. Rodgers had insisted that it wasn't a "revenge game," but the atmosphere in the stadium reflected tension and nostalgia.

Despite showing glimpses of his talent, he failed to maintain his pace against a defense that limited him in the second half.

With this result, the Packers improve to 5-1-1 and strengthen their status as NFC contenders . The Steelers , on the other hand, fall to 4-3 and will need to adjust immediately if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.