PITTSBURGH — When the Pittsburgh Steelers regained possession of the ball after trailing 20-24, there were 2:20 left in the game. Perhaps, fans at Acrisure Stadium want to know, 2 minutes and 20 seconds still exist in the Steelers’ season, or even in Aaron Rodgers’ career.
So the 42-year-old, four-time MVP quarterback focused his offense. After three quick passes, they advanced to the 26-yard line, but Rodgers missed two consecutive field goals.
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Third and 10 was now threatened with 1 minute left in the game. Rodgers began setting up a hitch route out of the backfield for receiver Calvin Austin.
On the sidelines, his teammates realized they weren’t worried.
“It’s a weird, non-panic feeling,” edge rusher TJ Watt said. “Just calmness. It’s just confidence. We’ve seen him do two-minute drills a lot of times. We’ve seen those catch-and-seven plays at the 2-yard line a lot of times. Total confidence in him and the offense.”
“He’s here for a reason. That’s why he’s here. This is the best guy in the NFL right now.”
Rodgers confirmed that belief when he hit Austin for a 26-yard touchdown with 55 seconds left. The Ravens missed a 44-yard field goal, helping the Steelers win 26-24. But even before that, during a series of breaks throughout the game, Pittsburgh trusted their quarterback to carry them to victory.
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“When I break down [the huddle]”I saw it was a one-on-one matchup and I was very hopeful that if I ran my route and executed it, the ball was going to come my way,” Austin told Yahoo Sports in the postgame locker room. “Knowing it was zero coverage, the ball was going to move up and down quickly, so just stay open and win.”
“We’re very lucky – to be able to continue to play and continue to give 8 [Rodgers] One season. “
Austin’s go-ahead touchdown was the final piece of magic for Rodgers on a night that went 31 for 47 for 294 yards, including a passing touchdown and another 20 yards rushing.
In the fourth quarter alone, Lamar Jackson had a classic performance that required 171 yards and two touchdowns.
But excitement wasn’t the only reaction as the Steelers’ victory pushed back questions about Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin’s futures for at least eight days as they host the Houston Texans in Monday night’s wild-card round. Much of the team was also surprisingly even – determined to work and prepared, but managing their energy the same way a quarterback would all night.
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“Sometimes in those tense moments, everyone gets really nervous and loud and energetic,” receiver Adam Thielen told Yahoo Sports. “But he really showed calmness and softness during the game and kept everyone calm.”
Finding a quarterback like this for the Steelers is no accident. Pittsburgh’s recruitment of Rodgers last spring until he officially joined in June was intentional, and it was also intentional that he would lead the team into the playoffs.
“This is what we saw when we were chasing him this spring,” Tomlin said. “That’s why you’re doing business with a 41-year-old, 42-year-old guy. That guy with a resume like his, he’s done it. Not only is he capable, he thrives in it.
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“I thought he showed that tonight.”
Rodgers leads second-half rebounds, Steelers beat Ravens
Rodgers’ resilience showed most strongly in the second half.
The first half seemed shaky, with Rodgers leading an offense that shut down top receiver DK Metcalf and burly tight end Darnell Washington, who suffered a broken arm a week ago.
Most of Rodgers’ completions came on rush plays and screen passes, unable to keep up with Ravens running back Derrick Henry’s early burst and 112 yards in the first half. At times, a glimmer of doubt has surfaced about Rodgers’ future: When a pass to Jonnu Smith soared over the open tight end early in the second quarter, was Rodgers’ accuracy and timing slipping? After the play ended, Rodgers escaped from the right pocket and attempted a scramble. But before his 42-year-old legs could cross the line of scrimmage, he was sacked.
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The Steelers trailed 10-3 entering halftime, and Watt’s interception talent wasn’t enough to convert in the red zone. But after halftime, Pittsburgh found its rhythm. Three minutes into the second half, Rodgers threw a second-and-eight rope to veteran receiver Thielen for a gain of 28 yards.
Thielen tries to move at the top of the route against tight coverage. The win went on to tie the game for the Steelers and also earned Thielen a consolation win from Rodgers.
“Usually just a little look and a little bit to let him know I made him proud,” Thielen told Yahoo Sports. “So I love those moments. I love seeing that face, not the disappointed face.”
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Rodgers got his own nod with six second-half lead changes. The Steelers scored on a brotherly push, with Cam Heyward adding to his defensive tackle duties to help push his brother, Connor, into the end zone. After Rodgers hit tight end Pat Freiermuth for 31 yards on third-and-eight from midfield, Kenneth Gainwell made a perfect interception at right end for a 2-yard score. Rodgers advised Freiermuth to pretend his defender was breaking before halftime, taking his time along the way. The tight end performed so well to the high standards of a quarterback that Rodgers smiled.
“I was really laughing at myself because I was like, ‘This is it. Look, I talk about it all the time,'” Rogers said. “Just the little things you talk about in Latrobe, you hope to show up … I’m really proud of him.
“I can’t say enough good things about Pat.”
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Steelers teammates were also full of praise for Rodgers after he helped turn the Steelers’ year-end fortunes around after a 10-7 season. The records are the same. But last year, the Steelers lost their final five games, including a wild-card exit.
Facing a Ravens team that lost two of last year’s five games, including a playoff elimination, Pittsburgh has had mixed results, including a sweep of Baltimore.
“Last year in the playoffs, going to Baltimore, we were really hurt,” Cam Heyward said. “I remember sitting in the training room with T.J., kind of confused.
“Coming here and playing the same team, having some success in different ways…
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“This is what we’ve been waiting for.”
Texans are next as Steelers players ‘want to have some hardware’
As the locker room after the game was filled with blaring music, cheers for top players and pungent celebratory cigars, a group of Steelers players FaceTimed Metcalf.
The receiver wasn’t in the locker room to collect his “Been There, Won That” AFC North championship jersey. He wasn’t there when the Steelers offense could use him on Sunday night against the Ravens, and he wasn’t there when the Steelers offense could use him in their Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns, a game that blew away their first chance to lock down the division title.
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Multiple players said Metcalf texted receivers Sunday morning to tell them they had the manpower to win without him but was still emotional because he was suspended two games for an altercation with a Detroit Lions fan during a game.
Rodgers isn’t the only player on this team eager to secure another game in a Steelers uniform this season.
“We played to get DK back and we did that,” Austin told Yahoo Sports. “He’s our leader. He’s our energy. He’s the guy.”
The Steelers have a lot of “guys,” from Metcalf (who will be back) to Watt (Watt’s interception was just one component of his multi-pronged attack against the Ravens).
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They also have a guy with a headset on the sidelines giving guidance. Supporters stress that Tomlin didn’t even have a losing season in his 19 seasons at the helm of the Steelers. Next week, critics will be acutely aware that it’s been nine years since Pittsburgh last won a playoff game.
The Texans opened as three-point favorites in Pittsburgh, according to BetMGM .
Players who have experienced history are eager to change history.
After fifteen years with the Steelers, Heyward doesn’t wear the AFC North title hat like his teammates.
“I wanted a different hat,” he said. “Hopefully I have a chance to win a championship…I hope to have some hardware one day.”
Heyward talked about his doubts about the NFL world’s chances at the Steelers. He also talked about why the Steelers have more faith in their 42-year-old quarterback than most people think.
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“Having a guy who’s seen every type of defense allows you to get into a lot of shootouts and feel like you have a chance,” Hayward said. “He’s got the ability to sail the ship.”
Can Rodgers do it again next week? The Steelers knew that one 44-yard field goal attempt would save them from the frustration and devastation Jackson described. They could have been a cornerback holding him back from his final touchdown, while a concussion kept Ravens star safety Kyle Hamilton from the offensive upswing they experienced.
For now, they won’t question it.
“If my aunt had male parts, she would be my uncle,” Tomlin quipped, dismissing the merits of the hypothesis.
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The Texans are currently on a nine-game winning streak. Rodgers noted that he had a 10-6 season that included winning the conference title by one point in the regular season finale, his only Lombardi Trophy. He is not afraid of the odds being stacked against him and his composure seems to be filtering through to the team.
“We’re at home tonight against our conference rival,” Rogers said. “It will give us some confidence.
“After a win like this, the confidence in the dressing room goes up exponentially.”