While the weather has been fine for Rodgers and the Steelers, so has their timing.
After starting the season 4-1 and falling to 6-6 with back-to-back losses in Weeks 12-13, head coach Mike Tomlin’s squad has turned its fortunes around with the games that matter most.
“It’s that time of year, it goes without saying,” Tomlin said.
Pittsburgh has now won back-to-back games for the first time since the last two weeks of September. The Steelers (8-6) hold a healthy AFC North lead over the Baltimore Ravens (7-7) with three games remaining, including the final against their second-place rival.
“Has it been that long?” Rodgers said of the victory. “Yeah, I mean it’s two huge games. Of course the divisional game is the most important game, but these guys had won four in a row coming in. We know some of us know the first way to get to the playoffs is to win your division. After beating Baltimore already and there’s obviously preliminary numbers that count, including your division record, your conference record. Your head is big, too.”
Trailing, 3-0, with five minutes left in the second quarter, Rodgers led a 12-play, 60-yard scoring drive. It ended with a Connor Heyward touchdown that started a 28-point run for the Steelers.
When they got the ball to open the second half, Pittsburgh’s rushing game took over, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell rumbled 52 yards on five carries before Rodgers hit former Packers teammate Valdes-Scantling for a 19-yard score.
“We didn’t expect it to be easy, but certainly after we got going, we had some fluid there,” Tomlin said.
On the ensuing drive, Rodgers lofted a nice ball over the middle into a tight window for Metcalf, who did the rest, throwing aside the first Dolphins tackle before drawing two more defenders and stiff-arming one last for a 28-yard score.
“The play by DK was one of the better plays I’ve seen in 21 years,” Rodgers said.
Jonnu Smith’s touchdown capped a four-TD streak for the Steelers, Pittsburgh’s longest such streak since Week 2 of 2018, according to NFL Research.
Rodgers, who had his 166th game with multiple touchdown passes to pass Peyton Manning for third in that category, has not been to the postseason since 2021 with the Packers.
Playing meaningful December football again was one of the reasons he decided to keep his career going and join the Steelers.
“In [2022 with the Packers]we were 4-8 at one point and won four in a row and gave ourselves a chance,” Rodgers recalled.[In 2023 with the New York Jets]I played four plays. [In 2024 with the Jets]we were not very good. So it’s been a long time since I’ve been involved in things like this. Nothing changes. I feel very comfortable in this environment.”
In the final three weeks of the regular season — likely Rodgers’ last of his career — the Steelers play at the Detroit Lions, the Cleveland Browns and host the Ravens. Each of these games will have a major impact on the playoffs and/or will be played in cold conditions.
Said Tomlin of the importance of playing well in December: “You know, see you next week. Stay tuned.”