There has been a consistent theme in every one of the Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff losses during their near-decade-long losing streak. Their vaunted defense has completely fallen apart early and never gave the offense a chance, giving up 38.8 points per game during their six-game postseason losing streak.
That finally changed this year, as the Steelers' defense allowed just 17 points in their playoff matchup Monday night against the Houston Texans. The Steelers obviously won then...right?
Wrong.
Aaron Rodgers and the offense were absolutely dreadful from start to finish, only putting up six points and going 2-13 on third downs, including 0-6 in the first half. They even gave up six points of their own, thanks to a Rodgers fumble that Texans defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins returned for a touchdown. They even gave up another defensive score on an interception by safety Calen Bullock late in the game. It ultimately led to a crushing 30-6 defeat.
The Texans' defense is one of the best in the league, so struggling against them isn't exactly a surprise. But when your defense shows up the way Pittsburgh's did in this game, an offensive performance like this is embarrassing, especially so for the QB that the Steelers were banking on being the difference.
Aaron Rodgers' Pittsburgh Steelers career may have just ended with an embarrassing loss
Rodgers was far from the only problem for the Steelers' offense against Houston, but many of the other issues stem from his presence. The Texans knew that Pittsburgh relies on quick passes and check-downs in the passing game, and they are well-equipped to deal with that.
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith should have done everything he could to find ways to attack the middle of the field, where the Texans are most vulnerable. Instead, he kept to the same script, allowing Houston to tee off on shorter routes. But is that more on Smith, or is it him working with the limitations of his QB?
Rodgers is 42 years old and clearly disinterested in holding the ball most of the time. The Steelers knew this when they signed him, or at least they should have. Building an offense completely reliant on receivers making plays after the catch rarely works, especially when the playmakers are average at best.
It was painfully obvious right from the start that the offense had no answers. Rodgers played scared before even giving his offensive line a chance to prove they could block the Texans' ferocious front. By the time he started trying to extend plays, it was far too late.
Sure, could they have run the ball more with the game being close until the fourth quarter? Absolutely, but the Texans were playing close to the line of scrimmage with no threat of a deep ball burning them over the top. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.
If this is the end for Rodgers, at least in Pittsburgh, it was a night everyone will wish they could forget.