On Sunday, the Steelers fell behind 10-0 before two field goals in the second quarter cut the deficit to four. In the second half, the Steelers still couldn’t find pay dirt, generating just eight first downs and three turnovers. Chris Boswell missed a field goal and the Steelers then turned it around as he lost the last two games.
With DK Metcalf suspended, Calvin Austin III out and Darnell Washington out with a broken arm, Rodgers’ passing corps lacked playmakers. Pat Freiermuth led the Steelers with 63 yards on three catches. No other Steelers player had more than 25 yards receiving.
In part due to a lack of weapons, and in part to try to mitigate Myles Garrett’s presence, Rodgers repeatedly released the ball quickly. According to Next Generation Stats, Rodgers averaged 2.39 seconds to throw, the fastest by a qualified quarterback against the Browns this season. He completed 16 of 24 rushing attempts for 114 yards. When holding the ball longer than 2.5 seconds, Rodgers completed just 5 of 13 passes for 54 yards.
Despite the fight, the Steelers had shots late to finally find the end zone. Rodgers drove the Steelers to the doorstep, but couldn’t connect with MVS three straight times. On the last pass, the quarterback thinks Denzel Ward committed a penalty.
“It was definitely a distraction,” Rodgers said.
With no flag dropped, the Steelers (9-7) head home to face the Ravens (8-8) with the AFC North on the line.