A trend has developed during Aaron Rodgers’ 21-year career. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback believes it will continue Sunday night.
Rodgers has won 10 of his last 11 games following a game in which he has a passer rating of 70.0 or less. The Steelers desperately need Rodgers to do it again.
The Steelers (9-7) host the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) at Acrisure Stadium with the AFC North title on the line. The Steelers will advance to the playoffs with a win or tie. If the Steelers lose, they will be eliminated from playoff contention, and the Ravens will win the division.
Rodgers’ passer rating was 64.9 last week when the Steelers were upset by the last-place Browns 13-6 in Cleveland, missing an opportunity to clinch their first AFC North title since 2020. The NFL’s oldest player completed just 21 of 39 passes for 168 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.
The Steelers have won all three games this season immediately after Rodgers registered a 70.0 mark rating, beating the AFC East champion New England Patriots, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Ravens on Dec. 7. In the 27-22 win at Baltimore, Rodgers had a season-high 284 yards passing.
"You've seen my career. I don't have a lot of stinkers back-to-back over the years,” Rodgers said. "So, it's the same mindset every week, same approach, just expect greatness. When it doesn't happen, you don't shift up the plan. You just keep on going and trust the process."
Much of that process occurs through practice and preparation.
"There's a lot of beauty in the mundane," Rodgers said. "The mundane is the Monday to Saturday, where you can actually win games. I embrace that part of the job. I've loved it. That's why I'm still here, still playing. Obviously, the icing on the cake is game day, but Monday to Saturday is where you win games."
Nothing about the Sunday night showdown is mundane. The season is on the line for both teams.
"It's a special feeling to be able to play on that Sunday night slot for all-or-nothing, and a lot easier when you're playing at home,” Rodgers said.