We’ve just wrapped up the Week 8 slate of the 2025 NFL season, packed with thrilling Sunday clashes. From the Patriots battling the Browns to the Saints taking on the Buccaneers. But one matchup stood out above the rest, not just for the on-field action, but for the historic viewership record it shattered.

This season, the viewership records have reached another level, thanks to the multiple streaming platforms. But this time, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell received some great news this week. One of the key games was the one between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The game broke records, making Goodell and the entire league happy, as it recorded the highest viewership for a week 8 Sunday night game. It crossed 25 million views, overtaking the Dallas Cowboys versus the San Francisco 49ers game last year (23.9 million views). And we know the reason why?

The Week 8 clash between the Packers and Steelers wasn’t just another game; it was Aaron Rodgers’ emotional first showdown against his former team. After 18 seasons, a Super Bowl win, and four MVPs with Green Bay, Rodgers finally lined up on the opposite side, and fans couldn’t look away. The matchup pulled in massive numbers, averaging 25.5 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, the highest through Week 8 in Sunday Night Football’s 20-year history.

At one point, viewership even spiked to 28.2 million during the second quarter. With SNF averaging 24.7 million viewers this season, and streaming numbers also breaking records, it’s clear, football fans still can’t resist a good story, especially when it’s Rodgers versus the Packers.

Arguably, the NFL is one of the most popular sports in the United States. In September 2023, pop icon Taylor Swift ignited her then-rumored relationship with Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce, and many Swifties began watching the sport as well. There was a small viewership spike with an average of 17.9 million viewers when compared to 2022’s 16.7 million.

So, be it Swift or Rodgers, the fans love what Roger Goodell’s NFL brings for them. And this time, they brought Packers vs Rodgers!

Aaron Rodgers lost in a high-profile matchup

The Steelers put up a tough fight, but unfortunately, things did not turn out the way they wanted. Despite the Steelers having the home-field advantage, the Packers walked away with the victory. Steelers’ QB Aaron Rodgers had secured 219 yards and two touchdowns, with his team gaining a total of 295 yards. The Packers’ QB Jordan Love, on the other hand, had a total of 360 yards and three touchdowns. As a team, the Packers acquired 454 yards.

The Packers were one step ahead of the Steelers throughout the game. The only upper hand that Aaron Rodgers’ team had was in the second quarter, with the offense scoring 13 points and a nine-point lead. But Love and his team took complete control of the game in the second half. The turning point indeed was the completion of 20 consecutive passes, rattling the Steelers’ defense. In the end, it was the offensive line of the away team that got the win.

After the game, Aaron Rodgers shared his disappointment with the media about the 35 – 25 loss.

“Disappointed I didn’t play better, that we didn’t play better, especially in the second half…I think in the three losses, there’s been times where we’ve had opportunities, and we’ve hurt ourselves with turnovers or just negative plays — so we got to cut those out. We got to get on the same page on offense and defense and keep the faith.”

Next up, the Steelers will face the Colts on November 2. But for now, did you enjoy the Steelers versus Packers game?