Quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t afraid to tell it like it is during postgame press conferences. He did exactly that when asked about what the team’s 27-22 victory against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday meant.
“It means that maybe you guys will shut the hell up for a week,” said Rodgers.
The quarterback finished the answer with a slight shoulder shrug, eyebrow raise and smirk on his face.
Rodgers experienced one of his best games as a member of the Steelers in his first-ever Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry showdown on December 7. The quarterback, who celebrated his 42nd birthday last week, completed 23 of 34 passes for 284 yards with a touchdown.
Rodgers also ran for a score, which was his first of the season. He averaged 8.4 yards per pass while the Steelers only gained 34 rushing yards.
With the five-point win, the Steelers moved back into sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a 7-6 record.
QB Aaron Rodgers Suggests Steelers Silenced Doubters for a Week
The answer Rodgers provided to the question about the meaning of Sunday’s victory epitomized the veteran quarterback. But it probably will strike a chord with a lot of Steelers fans too.
Not because the fan base has any problem with the media or the criticism the team received last week after losing 26-7 to the Buffalo Bills. But because Rodgers and the Steelers really only silenced their doubters for the time being.
Rodgers and the team should celebrate Sunday’s win. Without it, Pittsburgh’s season would definitely be slipping away.
However, there’s a lot of football remaining. The Steelers still have to play the Ravens again in Week 18. That matchup could ultimately decide the AFC North winner.
The loser probably won’t be going to the playoffs. After Sunday’s defeat, the Ravens fell to 10th place in the AFC.
The Steelers have the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns remaining on the schedule as well.
Steelers Still Have Work to Do to Win AFC North
Winning Sunday could greatly influence where the Steelers will finish the 2025 season. But despite the great day from Rodgers, the Steelers still needed several key calls to go their way to knocked off Baltimore.
D.K. Metcalf had a nice day playing opposite more veteran receivers — Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling — versus the Ravens. But few other players stepped up on offense.
The Steelers averaged only two yards per carry. The Pittsburgh run defense was exposed for a second straight week as well. Baltimore rushed for 217 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry.
Both Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell had more than 75 rushing yards.
The Steelers did enough to win Sunday. But to truly silence doubters, the team, particularly Tomlin, needs to win in January. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since January 2017.
After beating the Ravens, there likely won’t be as much chatter about the Steelers moving on from Tomlin after this season. But to end all doubt, the team needs to edge the Ravens in the final standings and then advance in the postseason.
Rodgers may not have meant to suggest that with his answer about the media shutting up. But he seemed to indirectly recognize that fact.
Aaron Rodgers Fires Clear Message to Media After Steelers Upset Win vs. Ravens