Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been heavily criticized for his performance as of late, and for good reason. Rodgers had been awful in his last five starts prior to Week 14, averaging just 163.2 passing yards per game with a putrid 83.5 passer rating. It was a far cry from even the modest numbers he was putting up to start the season.
His wrist injury wasn't making it any easier for the 42-year-old, and any hope for a turnaround seemed less and less likely with each passing week.
Then, Week 14 happened.
A season-high 284 yards, multiple deep balls that led to points, and, most importantly, a season-defining victory over the Baltimore Ravens. It was the exact kind of game that Rodgers was brought to Pittsburgh for, and he delivered despite everyone doubting he could get it done.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers silences his critics...for now
I will be completely honest: I had little faith we would see another performance like this from Rodgers in a Steelers uniform. He had been so clearly declining over the past two months that a game like this felt impossible.
Instead, the four-time MVP came out swinging, completing a 52-yard bomb to DK Metcalf on the Steelers' first play from scrimmage. A few plays later, he even scored his first rushing touchdown since the 2022 season on a 1-yard scramble.
From there, the veteran QB continued to put pressure on the Ravens secondary by extending plays and throwing dimes down the field.
Fans are probably wondering where this level of play has been all season, but it's better late than never. Now sitting at 7-6, the Steelers control their own destiny in regards to winning the AFC North crown. If Rodgers can keep up this level of play over the next four games, Pittsburgh could actually be a threat in the playoffs.
Can he continue to turn back the clock long enough to accomplish that? It's highly unlikely, especially with how many big plays it took to keep the Ravens at bay. Explosive plays are one of the most inconsistent metrics in football, even more so for a team that has struggled to produce them, as Pittsburgh has. It would be a tough ask to get another performance like this from the passing game this season.
Still, at least fans have proof that Rodgers has enough gas left in the tank to perform at a high level. Now, it's up to offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and his playmakers to help him keep it up.