There has been a lot of talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers since they were blown out by the Buffalo Bills a week earlier. Many thought they would head into their matchup against the Baltimore Ravens with little hope of surviving the season. Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin gained plenty of scrutiny over the week leading up to the AFC North battle, and both proved their worth.
No, it wasn't pretty, but the Steelers found a way to win the biggest game of their season. If they lost, their chances of making the playoffs would almost evaporate. Pittsburgh is tired of trending in a stale direction under Tomlin, but many forget things when the team is winning. There are ups and downs throughout an NFL campaign, and the Steelers might've just bought themselves some extra time.
Rodgers has struggled to be consistent throughout his first season in Pittsburgh.
The 42-year-old quarterback has played through numerous injuries over the past month, and for the most part, it has hindered him and the offense. This past Sunday against the Ravens, Rodgers started to look like his past self. He showed greater agility in the pocket and frequently pushed the ball deep downfield, which many viewed as red flags entering the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers had some fun with the media after the team's biggest win of the season
Winning can make players more comfortable in a press conference, and the same can be said for Rodgers. The Steelers quarterback didn't mince his words during a playful comment following their win. Given the extensive external discussion about Tomlin and Rodgers before the game, securing the victory must feel like a significant weight lifted from their shoulders.
“Means maybe you guys will shut the hell up for a week,” Rodgers said with a mischievous grin.
He's right, the easiest way for people to tamp down negative press is to win football games. If you do that, there won’t be much for people to complain about. Although they won, no one should take their eye off the ball. This team is still on track to continue Tomlin's master plan. They’ll aim for 9–8 or slightly better and limp into a playoff game, only to suffer yet another heartbreaking first-round loss.
READ MORE: Aaron Rodgers’ honest admission makes his bounce-back even more impressive
It was nice to see Rodgers and the offense finally start to show signs of life. They were able to contribute when necessary and take some shots downfield. You'd like to see that become a trend down the final stretch of the season.
Their veteran quarterback put together one of his strongest performances in Pittsburgh, but that level of play cannot be inconsistent if the team intends to make a playoff run.
Tomlin is still on track to keep his "non-losing season" streak intact. While the Steelers will quiet the toxic coverage of the team for this week, don't let them fool you. They still have plenty of questions to answer surrounding this club. The only way to alleviate concerns about recurring problems from past seasons is for them to keep winning and extend that performance into the playoffs.