Sunday night’s win in Pittsburgh was the perfect encapsulation of the 2025 Green Bay Packers. Matt LaFleur’s team played one disappointing half, showing why so many don’t trust the Packers as one of the NFL’s elite teams. But they also played one dominant half, showcasing just how scary good the Packers can be when they turn it on and play well in all three phases.
It was a tale of two halves against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, but the Packers accomplished the goal, winning by two scores on the road against a division leader in the AFC. And LaFleur’s team is now 5-1-1 and holding strong as the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
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Here’s where the Packers stand in NFL power rankings after beating the Steelers and entering Week 9:
USA Today
Week 9 ranking: No. 2 (up 2 spots)
From Nate Davis: “Christian Watson returned, with significant effect, Sunday night, and fellow WR Jayden Reed shouldn’t be too far behind for an offense seemingly loaded with 1A weapons â even if a No. 1 receiver has yet to emerge. An already accelerating team could be poised to hit another gear.”
ESPN
Week 9 ranking: No. 7 (up 1)
From Rob Demovsky on best addition: “Parsons has been everything the Packers had hoped for — and perhaps even more — when they traded away two first-round picks plus Kenny Clark before giving Parsons a $188 million contract. Parsons not only leads the NFL in pressures (33), he has helped free up Rashan Gary (who leads the Packers with 7.5 sacks) and bring an overall energy to the Packers’ defense. Green Bay ranks sixth in the NFL in yards allowed per game (289.4).”
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The Athletic
Week 9 ranking: No. 6 (up 1)
From The Athletic: “Since Week 4, when the Packers played Parsonsâ old team, he is second in the league in sacks (five) and pressures (26), according to TruMedia. Oh, and Jordan Love completed 20 straight passes at one point Sunday and threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns. This is the Packers team that looked like a Super Bowl contender early in the season.”
CBS Sports
Week 9 ranking: No. 3 (no movement)
From Pete Prisco: “Jordan Love lit up the Steelers, and the pass rush dominated on the defensive side. Getting speedy Christian Watson back is big for the offense.”
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The Ringer
Week 9 ranking: No. 6 (no movement)
From Diante Lee: “Bottle up that second half and do it again.”
Yahoo Sports
Week 9 ranking: No. 6 (no movement)
From Frank Schwab: “The first half at Pittsburgh wasnât pretty. It was a continuation of the Packers still not reaching the elite level they displayed in the first two weeks. Then they turned it on in the second half and looked like one of the best teams in football. Can they maintain that level?”
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: NFL power rankings: Packers hold steady after win in Pittsburgh
