Packers vs Steelers score, live updates in preseason game

The Steelers’ 28‑9 demolition of the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night offered more than a tidy preseason scoreline. Rookie quarterback Drew Allar, thrust into the spotlight for his first NFL snap, orchestrated three touchdowns—one rush, two passes—to the delight of a 64,164‑strong crowd at Acrisure Stadium. His first‑down partner, wideout Kaden Wetjen, ripped a 74‑yard reception and added a five‑yard TD catch, while fellow rookie Riley Nowakowski finished his debut with a four‑yard TD grab. Second‑year backup Will Howard also earned an eight‑play, 80‑yard drive that capped the first half, highlighting the Steelers’ willingness to test multiple young arms in live action.

Beyond the flashy offense, Pittsburgh’s defensive unit impressed with relentless pressure. Davis, though a third‑team depth player, led both squads with eight total tackles, four solo, two sacks and three quarterback hits. The Packers, subjected to four sacks in the fourth quarter, wound up with minus‑26 yards of net offense after the third‑quarter break, turning three punts into negative‑yardage drives.

Green Bay’s storyline revolved around a single player: rookie kicker Trey Smack. After a mishap erased his first 58‑yard try, Smack rebounded to nail two more—another 58‑yard field goal and a 38‑yard kick—accounting for every point the Packers posted.

The preseason outcomes ripple through both teams’ roster calculations. Conversely, the strong showings of Allar, Wetjen, Nowakowski and the defensive contributors could accelerate their paths to active‑roster spots, especially as the Steelers trim a crowded 2026 draft class. For the Packers, Smack’s reliability may ease the pressure on LaFleur to seek a veteran alternative before the regular season, yet his performance remains a small sample size.

Future implications hinge on how much weight coaches assign to preseason metrics. Allar’s three‑TD debut, while impressive, occurred against a backup‑heavy Packers defense; whether he can translate that into regular‑season reps is still an open question. Similarly, Smack’s distance and consistency are promising, but the harsh glare of September’s stadiums will be the true test. As both clubs head into their next preseason contests, the decisions made now will shape the narratives that emerge when the regular season finally begins.