In previous years, poor quarterback play doomed the season in December and January, not giving the Steelers much of a chance in the playoffs. In 2025, Aaron Rodgers is elevating them.
The Steelers have
won three games in a row and are one win, or a Baltimore loss in Green Bay, away from clinching the AFC North title for the first time since 2020. It would be the first time the Steelers will host a playoff game with fans in the stands since 2017.
Following unsuccessful runs with Kenny Pickett, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, and others, Aaron Rodgers has put the Steelers in the best position they’ve seen in years. Rodgers has been the conductor, the point guard, the leader of a Steelers offense that has new life.
During the Steelers’ three-game winning streak, Rodgers has thrown for 774 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions against the Ravens, Dolphins, and Lions. PFF wasn’t a fan of Rodgers’ play early in the season, but was complimentary of how the 42-year-old quarterback has recently turned a corner after his fractured left wrist injury against the Bengals.
Rodgers owns an 80.2% adjusted completion rate and a 106.4 passer rating, per PFF. He’s also recorded an impressive eight “big time throws” in the victories to improve to 9-6 and build a two-game lead.
In 14 games, Rodgers owns a 66.7% completion percentage, 2,860 yards, 24 total touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception in his last five games and three of his eight turnovers came in the first three weeks. The 29-24 victory in Detroit clinched the Steelers’ NFL record 22-year streak of not having a losing season. Mike Tomlin’s streak is up to 19 consecutive years without having a losing season.
Rodgers and the Steelers are hot at the right time and have changed some minds after an impressive win against the Lions. Rodgers has been the key nucleus behind all of it. The Steelers are averaging 28 points per game in their last three games after a disastrous performance against Buffalo, with “fire Tomlin” chants and fans booing Renegade in an embarrassing 19-point loss.
Rodgers has seemingly taken more control, the Steelers claimed Adam Thielen and evaluated Marquez Valdez-Scantling, and Rodgers has made checks into his only plays… and it sure is working now. The Steelers will play the Browns on Sunday at 1 p.m., and the division may already be clinched before they take the field. If the Ravens lose to the Packers, the Steelers could sit their starters for two weeks in a row to prepare for the playoffs.
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