The Pittsburgh Steelers went up multiple spots in ESPN's NFL power rankings after beating the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.
The Pittsburgh Steelers went up multiple spots in ESPN's NFL power rankings after beating the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 by a final score of 30-27.
Pittsburgh went from No. 25 to No. 17.
Not only did the Steelers beat the Bengals to improve to 2-1, but QB Aaron Rodgers also made major NFL history. Sunday's win marked the 165th of Rodgers' career, tying him with Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger for fifth most by a starting quarterback since positions were first tracked in 1950.
With his first-quarter 38-yard touchdown throw to Roman Wilson, Rodgers also recorded his 233rd career game with at least one passing touchdown, tying Peyton Manning for the fourth-most such games in NFL history.
Rodgers turned back the clock against the Bengals. The future Hall of Famer threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Steelers to a 30-27 win.
In the Steelers' first two games of the season, Rodgers had 408 passing yards, one passing touchdown and one interception. He completed just 59.5% of his passes and Pittsburgh had only one offensive touchdown.
In the Steelers' Week 2 road loss to the New England Patriots, Rodgers was off target on 26% of his throws (nine attempts), his worst as a Steeler. The Patriots frustrated Rodgers with heavy pressure and blitzed on 19 of 44 dropbacks (43%), the second-highest rate he has faced with Pittsburgh.
Against the blitz, Rodgers was 8-of-17 for 42 yards with two sacks and an interception against Mike Vrabel's defense. He had his first interception against the blitz as a member of the Steelers.
There was a lot of talk before the Bengals game that Rodgers was the worst starting QB in the NFL. The four-time MVP shut those critics up for one week.
Rodgers had 3,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions last season. Many people thought Rodgers would play well again this season since he knows Mike McCarthy's system well.
Against the Bengals, Rodgers and McCarthy looked like they were on the Green Bay Packers again.
McCarthy and Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers as members of the Packers. Rodgers called it a "full-circle" moment to play for McCarthy again when McCarthy was hired.
One of the best players in NFL history, Rodgers will retire from the NFL after this season. Manning won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in his final NFL season. Can Rodgers do the same this season with the Steelers?
Only time will tell.
Rodgers and Co. face the Cleveland Browns in Week 4. Cleveland is 2-1 in Year 1 of the Todd Monken era.
